Statutory Bodies Step Up in Victoria

Over the Winter period, a series of workshops have been undertaken focusing on the Disability Action Plans (DAP) of thirty eight Victorian Statutory bodies.

The thirty eight statutory bodies represent some of the largest organizations in Victoria including Office of Public Prosecutions, Melbourne Water and Vic Roads to name a few.

This gathering reinforces the commitment of the Victorian Government and directly relates to the recent announcement late last year that Disability Works Australia (DWA) had won funding from the Victorian Government to support Victorian Government department's recruitment of people with a disability into the Victorian Public Sector.

DWA has negotiated the signing of individual agreements with each Department and this has now lead to ongoing discussion with a number of Victorian statutory bodies with regards to their own Disability Action Plans.

Momentum has been building with they key area of recruitment of people with a disability being highlighted as one of the four outcome areas to be reviewed, assessed and improved.

During the June 2008 workshop, Disability Works Australia was invited, to help facilitate discussion within the groups of statutory bodies to:

• Gain an understanding of the four outcome areas of DAPs.
• Learn about key strategies to include in their DAPs.
• Achieving tangible changes in attitudes and practices which discriminate against persons with a disability, presented by – Milly Parker, Victorian Disability Advisory Council.
• Reducing barriers to persons with a disability accessing goods, services and facilities.
• Promoting inclusion and participation in the community of persons with a disability, Presentation – Michael Walker, and Michael Uniacke Office for Disability.
• Reducing barriers to persons with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment.

This session had a strong focus on employment and changing attitudes which discriminate against people with Disability.

Tina Zeleznik , CEO of Disability Works Australia addressed the group on “reducing barriers to persons with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment.” Ms Zeleznik spoke of DWA and how the organizations can support and help the statutory bodies with the recruitment of people with a disability into their organisations.

Various group discussions occurred to talk openly about the recruitment of people with a disability. The discussion focused on what organisations currently provided people with disabilities during the recruitment process and what could be modified so that the recruitment process was more equitable.

Overall, the workshop was a success and several statutory bodies have now started a conversation with DWA to help with the recruitment of people with a disability into their organisations.