News
Optional Protocol on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities
The Attorney General, Robert McClelland and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, announced last week that Australia will accede to the Optional Protocol on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. This means that Australians can make complaints to the United Nations Disabilities Committee in the event that all domestic avenues have been exhausted. More information is available on the
Parliamentary Secretary's website.
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Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009
Amendments to the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) have recently been passed through the Senate. Significant changes have been made to the legislation including:
- making explicit the general duty to make reasonable adjustments, excluding adjustments that would cause unjustifiable hardship;
- extending the defence of unjustifiable hardship to all unlawful discrimination in the DDA, except harassment and victimisation; and
- clarifying matters to be considered when determining unjustifiable hardship.
The former Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is now known as the Australian Human Rights Commission.
For more information visit the
Australian Parliament website for a copy of the Act.
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Australian Disability Enterprises Co-Branding - Business Cards
Activ, an Australian Disability Enterprise in Western Australia, have successfully included the Australian Disability Enterprises logo on their business cards.
Please note that Section 1.4 of the Australian Disability Enterprises Corporate Branding Guidelines (also known as the Style Guide) states that the minimum width of the ADE Master Logo must be 40mm. However, if you are having difficulty fitting the logo onto the proposed design of your organisation's new business cards, the Master Logo width can be reduced to a minimum width of 30mm. Please note that this revision applies only to business cards and not to any other promotional material developed by your organisation.
Co-branding your enterprise with the Australian Disability Enterprises logo is a great business opportunity. Has your enterprise already co-branded with the new logo? Would you like to show other Australian Disability Enterprises your co-branding success? Just email an example of your co-branding with the new Australian Disability Enterprise logo to
disAbility e-news to feature in an upcoming issue.
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The Australian Disability Enterprises marketing material is on its way!
The DVD containing all the marketing material for Australian Disability Enterprises produced by FaHCSIA will shortly be distributed. Once the package has been distributed the material will be removed from the Literature Tab in FOFMS.
If you haven't provided details of a marketing contact in your organisation, the package will be addressed generically to the attention of the marketing contact.
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Complaints Resolution and Referral Service and the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline - announcing details of the contractor for 2009-2011
FaHCSIA conducted an open tender earlier this year to identify a contractor to operate both the CRRS and the Hotline from 1 July 2009 until 30 June 2011. Following an extensive evaluation of the tenders received a decision was made to offer a contract to People with Disability Australia Inc (PWD).
PWD held the contract for CRRS and the Hotline until 30 June 2009. Plans for the current contract period include the development and launch of two new websites to promote both services. Further details will be provided in a future issue of
disAbility e-news, closer to the launch dates.
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Scheduling of Quality Assurance audits
We would like to remind all Disability Employment Services that they are required, under the terms of their Funding Agreements, to obtain quality assurance (QA) certification within 12 months of the commencement of funding. In order to achieve this timeframe, and to have sufficient time to address any non conformities that might be identified, it is advisable to have the Certification Body conduct the initial certification audit within the first six months.
As you all know, in order to continue to meet QA obligations and insure that funding is ongoing, Disability Employment Services must also undergo annual surveillance audits, and must complete recertification
within 36 months. Planning for these audits and timely scheduling is crucial to ensure that the requirements of the Disability Services Standards continue to be met.
In recent months there have been occasions where Disability Employment services have not completed recertification within the required timeframe. In some cases this has been due to last minute scheduling of the audit, and the identification of non conformities that cannot be closed before the current certificate expires. In other instances there has been reluctance on the part of the organisation to schedule audits, both recertification and annual surveillance audits, because of 'other priorities'. Disability Employment Services that do not maintain their certification, or participate in annual surveillance audits within the required timeframes, are technically in breach of their Funding Agreements and placing their funding at risk.
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Regional Information and Advocacy Council
The Regional Information and Advocacy Council (RIAC) is funded by FaHCSIA to provide mainly individual and some systemic disability advocacy assistance to residents living in a large part of northern and central Victoria, and more recently also to an area of south western NSW. RIAC maintains offices in Shepparton, Bendigo, Swan Hill and Mildura.
In 2007 the RIAC Board of Directors, of whom at least 50 per cent have disabilities, made a direct contribution to people with disabilities who live in the area serviced by RIAC, by commencing an annual scholarship scheme. The scholarship scheme encourages applications from secondary and post secondary aged students, trainees and/or apprentices to apply for funding of up to $5 000 a year to assist with studies. Now in its third year of operation the RIAC Board is delighted with the positive results the scholarship has provided for the recipients. The establishment of the scholarship has also proven to be an effective way of promoting RIAC, among people with disabilities, their families and carers, as an organisation which may assist them. Further details may be found by referring to
Regional Information & Advocacy Council Inc. website (www.riac.org.au).
The RIAC Board of Directors recently established the RIAC Board Mentoring program. The program aims to encourage younger people with disabilities to actively participate in their communities, by inviting them to join the RIAC Board as a trainee Board Director for a 12 month period. Each trainee will be assisted by an existing Board Director as a mentor before, during and after each meeting. The Board Director trainees also participate in the Board's annual Corporate Governance training and annual work plan development. During the 12 month period the trainees are encouraged to apply for vacancies on the RIAC Board. It is hoped that trainees will also join other Boards or Committees of Management in their local communities. It is expected that the mentoring program will correct the existing situation where most Boards composition are typically made up of middle aged people.
For further information please contact Steve Doran, Chief Executive Officer on (03) 58221944 or by email
CEO (ceo@riac.org.au).
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National Disability Strategy Report on Public Consultations Launched
On Wednesday 5 August 2009 the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council (the Council) presented the findings of the National Disability Strategy (NDS) public consultations to the Australian Government.
The consultation report Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia prepared by the Council was informed by more than 750 submissions, and public consultations involving more than 2,500 people held nationally between October and December 2008.
The report is a summary of submissions made in response to the NDS consultation process and issues raised at public consultations. It presents key themes and findings of submissions, identifies issues and barriers to full participation in society facing people with disability, their families and carers, and highlights the voice of participants through direct quotes. The report also highlights solutions suggested by consultation participants.
The report is one of a range of sources informing the development of the National Disability Strategy.
For more information on the NDS, and to download a copy of the report, please visit the
FaHCSIA website.
To order a copy of the report in print, easy English, Braille or audio, please phone 1800 050 009 or email
NDS Mailbox (NDSMailbox@fahcsia.gov.au), TTY users phone 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 050 009.
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Improving Administration and Management Practices through Good Corporate Governance
The department has received a number of requests for information on corporate governance for non government organisations. Corporate governance is the system by which companies are directed and managed. It influences how objectives are set and achieved, how risk is monitored and addressed and how performance is assessed. In the current economic climate there is s strong interest in good corporate governance practices and principles.
Good corporate governance structures encourage companies to create value (through innovation, development and entrepreneurism) and provide accountability and control systems commensurate with the risks involved.
The
Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) website provides a 'one stop shop' for information, tools and resources to support community-based organisations strengthen their administration and management practices. It can assist your board of management with planning and managing, resourcing to deliver quality services, management and administration, fundraising, reporting, networking and career options.
The
Boards, Committees and Governance Centre (BCGC) also provides a variety of useful information on corporate governance to help community groups and their board or committee members to build a better board, be a better board member and find or advertise board positions.
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Extension of Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability
Applications are now open for the extension of Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability (formerly known as the Extra Support for Children with Disability Program).
Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability is an Australian Government initiative that assists teenagers with disability, aged 12 to 18 years, and their families by funding services to deliver flexible outside school hours and holiday care. In May 2009 the Australian Government announced an additional $5.1 million over four years to further increase the number of outside school hours care places for teenagers with disability. The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) invites eligible organisations to apply for funding to undertake the provision of quality outside school hours care services for teenagers with disability aged 12 to 18 years.
The funding round opened on 5 August 2009 and closes on 8 September 2009 at 2.00pm.
Further information and selection documents are available on the
FaHCSIA Website.
Please direct any queries to the Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability team by email
otdp (otdp@fahcsia.gov.au).
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Program Updates
Announcing the new Disability Maintenance Instrument (DMI) Guidelines Version 4
As previously mentioned in Issue 135 of
disAbility e-news, following an extensive review of the current Disability Maintenance Instrument (DMI) Guidelines Version 3 and other associated documentation, the DMI Guidelines Version 4 is now complete.
Australian Disability Enterprises are required to be fully transitioned to the new Guidelines by 1 January 2010. From now until the beginning of October 2009, Australian Disability Enterprises should aim to transition across to the new Guidelines. This will help to ensure that by 1 January you have the necessary processes in place.
The DMI Guidelines Version 4 will be sent to you from your FaHCSIA State Office. They are also available on the
FaHCSIA website.
Should you have any queries about the DMI Guidelines, please contact your Contract Manager or the
CBF Helpdesk on Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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FOFMS Access for Service Providers
To access and view information on FOFMS there are several levels of user access service providers can obtain. You can have multiple user roles to allow you to perform all tasks assigned to your positions. Each position you are assigned has access to a corresponding organisation. For example, if you requested to be able to authorise an Assessment for two outlets, you would have two Authorising Officer positions created, one for each outlet.
It is important to note which particular tasks you are required to carry out on FOFMS and which level of user access is suitable for your needs. The different types of FOFMS user access for service providers are as follows.
FaHCSIA Service Provider All View RO User: Generally a person working in the administration area of an organisation who needs to see data but does not manage cases. A person in this role will be able to navigate to all views accessible through the portal and see data for their Organisation and/or any Sub-organisations, including payments, as defined by their agreement hierarchy. If a user has this role alone, they will not be able to make any changes to the Client and Case data.
FaHCSIA Service Provider All View RW User: A user in this role will have the ability to see all data for their organisation and any outlets, and will also be able to modify client and case data for their organisation and outlets. This role should be given to users where they are involved in managing cases of one or more outlets.
FaHCSIA Service Provider Authorising Officer: A user with this access is responsible for working with client and case data and authorising Disability Maintenance Instrument (DMI)'s and Assessments that case workers have completed. A person in this role will only be able to see screens relevant to management of clients and cases.
FaHCSIA Service Provider Case Worker: A user with this access is responsible for working with client and case data and completing DMI's and Assessments which then must be authorised by the Authorising Officer. A person in this role will only be able to see screens relevant to management of clients and cases.
It is important to consider the level of FOFMS access you have and review the level as your tasks and responsibilities on FOFMS change. A User Access form titled 'DEA_Task Card - User Access - Service Provider Access Roles' can be found on the literature tab on FOFMS, and contains an access request form that can be filled out according to your FOFMS responsibilities and then sent off to the FOFMS Helpdesk who will then determine a suitable level of access for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the
CBF Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au
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New Predefined Case Query in FOFMS
In conjunction with the release of the DMI Guidelines Version 4 a new Predefined Case Query has been created. Under the new Guidelines, for evidence to be current for a DMI Reassessment, the evidence is compiled within 3 to 6 months prior to completion of the Reassessment, and also includes evidence from the week prior to the DMI being completed. The new query will collate all cases that are due for a DMI Reassessment 6 months prior to the due date on FOFMS.
To view all Cases due for Reassessment in 6 months, navigate to the Cases tab, click the Queries drop-down menu and click 'DMI Reassess due in 6 Mths' as shown below.
This query will return all Cases that have a DMI Reassessment Date of today or six months into the future. If these DMI Reassessments are not Authorised on FOFMS three months after their DMI Reassessment Date, payments will cease and then the cases will be Exited on FOFMS.
If you have any questions regarding the predefined case queries or other general case questions, please contact the
CBF Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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Australian Disability Enterprises in Action
Wangaratta Recycling Centre
Wangaratta Recycling Centre (WRC), a subsidiary of VATMI Industries, has recently been recognised as an outlet for disability employment assistance purposes and will employ up to five supported employees. WRC has just been named as the successful tender for the Collection and Acceptance & Sortation of all kerbside recyclables within the Rural City of Wangaratta. The seven year contract has a value of $5.5m. WRC also has term contracts in place to collect / sort all recyclables on behalf of both the Alpine Shire and Moira Shire councils. WRC now processes approximately 13200 tonnes of recyclables annually and supports around 46 local jobs operating over two daily shifts.
VATMI Industries also owns and operates Sandhurst Enterprise Recycling in Bendigo and VicWest Recyclers in Stawell.
VATMI Industries now has contractual obligations in place to collect and accept/sort recyclables with the Greater City of Bendigo, North Grampians, Gannawarra, Pyrenees, Buloke, Apine, Moria, Ararat, Wimmerra and Rural City of Wangaratta Councils. Collectively, all three businesses process in excess of 50 000 tonnes of recyclables annually and support about 100 jobs in regional Victoria.
CEO Greg Wasmund said 'Winning this contract is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of dedicated people. For the past year, I have been working with our Board in building strategic stakeholder relationships in Wangaratta and in particular, extolling the virtues of the community benefit that VATMI provide. Our local team and my CFO have been tremendous in leading the bid process and all success to them. This contract underpins the sustainability and profitability of the business for many years to come. VATMI will now embark on plans to build a new MRF (Material Recovery Facility) in Wangaratta at a cost of approx $3m.
In addition to recycling, VATMI Industries specialise in contract packaging and manufacturing in two sites in the metropolitan area. They also operate Q Art Studio and Tayst catering from their headquarters in Kew. VATMI Industries employ up to of 351 supported employees and are the largest employer of people with disability in Victoria.
For more information check out the Wangaratta Recycling Centre profile on the
Australian Disability Enterprises Website.
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