Business Services have been renamed Australian Disability Enterprises, and a new logo and Business Directory were launched by the Hon Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, on 28 November 2008 at Waverley Industries in Melbourne.
The new name and brand bring together all Australian Disability Enterprises under a unified national brand, helping to build a stronger corporate image for the supported employment sector.
The Australian Disability Enterprises Business Directory contains details of the products and services produced by Australian Disability Enterprises. The Directory is one component of a marketing strategy which has been developed by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, to promote Australian Disability Enterprises and increase awareness of their products and services. Other components such as the Do-It-Yourself Marketing Kit and Marketing Workshops for Australian Disability Enterprises have already been implemented.
The Business Directory is being released to coincide with International Day of People with Disability which is celebrated on 3 December each year. The skills, abilities and achievements of people with disability are showcased on the day and the Business Directory will promote the positive contribution people with disability make to the workforce.
The Business Directory should also provide a useful reference for government departments and agencies as well as wider business customers, when they are purchasing goods and services from Australian Disability Enterprises. By engaging an Australian Disability Enterprise, business and government sector customers will contribute to their organisation’s corporate social responsibility and triple bottom line reporting.
All Australian Disability Enterprises will be mailed a copy of the directory before Christmas. FaHCSIA will also be mailing a copy of the directory to all Commonwealth departments and agencies.
A new website will be launched in late March 2009, which will provide up to date on-line information on Australian Disability Enterprises and their products and services. The website will make it easier for potential customers, including government departments and agencies, to engage Australian Disability Enterprises, and to obtain to up-to-date information at any time. All Australian Disability Enterprises will be encouraged to improve and update their listings regularly so the website remains current and relevant for potential customers.
An electronic version of the new Australian Disability Enterprises logo will be available to Australian Disability Enterprises on the FOFMS literature tab by Friday 5 December 2008. A Style Guide will also be available, which will provide helpful and practical advice on how to use the logo appropriately and effectively.
The Australian Disability Enterprises sector has identified the Australian Government as a large potential purchaser of its products and services. However, procurement by Australian Government agencies from Australian Disability Enterprises in the past has been low due to limited awareness and the constraints of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines. These guidelines establish the core procurement framework that Australian Government Departments and Agencies must adhere to.
Changes to the guidelines will come into effect on 1 December 2008, which will provide an exemption and flexibility for Australian Government Departments and agencies looking to undertake simple procurement processes from disability Australian Disability Enterprises where they represent value for money. This revision provides Australian Disability Enterprises with a real opportunity to market their goods and services to Australian Government Departments and agencies.
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