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Graduating Students with a Disability

Frequently asked questions 

Should I let prospective employers know that I have a disability?

Disclosure of your disability is a personal decision. Deciding on whether, when and how can be more complex for those with ‘hidden disabilities’.

 Before you make your decision

  • it is important to know your legal rights and responsibilities. In almost all circumstances it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a person on the basis of their disability, so if you disclose you are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992.
  • it is advisable to research the inherent or essential requirements of the position and develop an awareness of the impact your disability may have. This will help you to decide if disclosure is necessary.

If you disclose your disability this may allow the employer to make ‘reasonable adjustments’, or provide any necessary workplace modifications. If you disclose it’s also helpful to be prepared with examples of

  •  assistive technology or work redesign strategies that have been/may be useful
  • your unique skills and strengths, some of which you may have developed as a result of your disability.

If you need assistance with disclosure you could link with an Employment Service (see below).

Choosing Your Path is a useful online resource to help you explore all the factors affecting your decision on whether to disclose to an employer.

 

Can I get assistance to find employment?

There is a range of services to assist people with a disability to gain and /or maintain employment that can be accessed via Centrelink. You may need to undergo a formal assessment process to identify your employment support needs and for referral to appropriate services. See Centrelink for further details.  As a result you may be referred to

Funding and incentives

There is a range of funding available to assist people with a disability to gain or maintain employment. Some examples include: workplace modifications or Auslan interpreting funding. Funding is available via the Employment Assistance Fund.

You may also be able to attract Wage subsidies for your employer.

 

Graduate programs for people with a Disability

Some organisations offer work experience or mentoring programs that aim to improve employment prospects for university students with a disability.

The Australian Employers Network on Disability has a Stepping into program that offers yearly internships in several fields of study.

The Willing and Able Mentoring program is an initiative that aims to link jobseekers and/or tertiary students who have a disability with mentors in their chosen field.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Australia/Willing-Able-Mentoring-WAM-program/94915895680

 

Where can I get more information?

Websites and resources used to create this fact sheet that may provide you with further information:

 

Choosing Your Path: Disclosure it’s a personal decision

University of Western Sydney and University of Ballarat. A web based resource that explores rights and responsibilities regarding disclosure

http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/ndco/disclosure/index2.htm

 

Jobaccess

An Australian Government website containing information on finding and maintaining employment. Comprehensively explains the range of support available for people with a disability, prospective employers and service providers.

http://jobaccess.gov.au/JobSeekers/Pages/home.aspx

 

Australian Human Rights Commission

A website containing information on Disability rights according to Disability legislation

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/dda_guide/earning/earning.html

 

Other useful links

 

Careers for Graduates with a Disability

A publication produced by Graduate Careers Australia.

http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/CareerPlanningandResources/GraduateswithDisability/index.htm

 

Education to Employment Package: A Website for graduates with a disability and employers - created by the University of Western Sydney and NSW Department of Education and Training.

http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/rdlo/employment/

Building a Career of your choice - a booklet produced by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research

http://www.qcmhr.uq.edu.au/VR/Documents/FinalforPrint_Booklet.pdf  (pdf, 807kb)

Careers advisers are available on each of Australian Catholic University's (ACU) campuses to assist enrolled students with career development and/or employment related decisions.

Visit the ACU Career Development Service webpage for more information.

 

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