Issue 143
16 November 2009
Thank you to readers who completed the disAbility e-news and Australian Disability Enterprises website survey. While survey returns were relatively low, the responses have given us some great insight into what readers find useful about e-news. For example:
Some of the things respondents like about disability e-news include:
Some of the things that respondents thought needed improvement include:
Respondents were also very clear about what they would like to see in future editions, including examples of best practice from Australian Disability Enterprises and other disability services both within Australia and overseas.
The department will be using the responses from the survey to continue to improve disAbility e-news for the readership. A summary of the feedback on the Australian Disability Enterprises website will be included in the next edition of e-news
Thanks again to those readers who took the time to provide us with such valuable feedback!
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As part of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission's Award Modernisation process, an exposure draft of the Supported Employment Services Award 2010 has been tabled for full bench proceedings. There has been some confusion surrounding the new superannuation provisions in the Award and whether employer contributions are deemed as assessable income for Disability Support Pension purposes.
FaHCSIA have been advised that; while the Centrelink income test measures income from all sources, superannuation contributions paid by an employer to an employee's superannuation fund pursuant to federal, state or territory legislation are not assessed and therefore would not affect the Disability Support Pension payments of supported employees.
For more information on assessable income for Disability Support Pension, please contact your local Centrelink office. Further information on the Supported Employment Services Award 2010 exposure draft can be found on the Australian Industrial Relations Commission website.
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Due to the distribution of the Australian Disability Enterprises artwork DVDs, the Style Guide and promotional material will be removed from FOFMS from 30 November 2009.
If you have not received the artwork DVD, which includes the Australian Disability Enterprises logos, Style Guide and other material, please advise your State and Territory Contract Manager who will organise for a copy to be sent to you.
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The official website of the National Companion Card Scheme is now live!
The National Companion Card Scheme brings together state and territory programs that enable eligible people with disability to participate at venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their attendant carer.
The new website provides information for both new and existing Companion Card holders as well as potential industry affiliates. The site also includes links to state and territory Companion Card program websites.
The Companion Card identifies the bearer as a person who, due to their disability, requires lifelong attendant care to participate at most community facilities and events. The card holder presents their card at participating affiliate organisations to purchase a ticket or pay an entry fee and receive a ticket for their companion at no extra charge.
Recent national affiliations include:
FaHCSIA is seeking to build on this list by contacting other organisations interested in becoming new national affiliates, such as airlines and recreational bodies. If you can identify, or provide contacts for, a national business that would like to support people with a disability through the Scheme, please email companioncard (companioncard@fahcsia.gov.au)
For more information visit the Companion Card website.
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Did you know there any many websites available online that contain free resources covering valuable corporate governance information? These sites are a fantastic opportunity for you and your organisation to be able to access, read and learn about corporate governance. In the current financial climate, a quality corporate governance structure is an essential requirement for any business.
One such site is the Our Community website which contains free information on modern governance and community groups. It covers areas such as governance structures, approaches to governance, and the Board's responsibilities in relation to governance.
The New South Wales Government Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care Its Your Business website is an online resource for non-government organisations designed to support the development of governance knowledge and board management skills. This site contains practical tools to help boards perform their role effectively.
Another example is FaHCSIA's Corporate Governance Handbook which is available on the FaHCSIA website. The purpose of this booklet is to provide your organisation with a handy reference guide, which includes an overview of key corporate governance legislative requirements and concepts, together with features of good corporate governance and practical tips for fulfilling corporate governance obligations.
Queensland University of Technology also has free Corporate Governance information on its Developing Your Board website. Developing Your Board is creating a range of online information and links to resources to assist non profit boards to improve their governance practices.
Directors are required to understand the needs of their organisation and should ensure they stay fully informed about their responsibilities.
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Did you know that Australian Disability Enterprises provide a vast array of different products and services, including hospitality and catering, packaging, assembly, production, recycling, screen printing, publication design and printing, plant nursery, garden maintenance, landscaping, cleaning and laundry services?
Australian Disability Enterprises should consider supporting each other and the sector by buying from other Australian Disability Enterprises - because it's more than good business. Make sure your listing on the Australian Disability Enterprises website is up to date to ensure other Australian Disability Enterprises are able to find you. To update your keywords, or other listing details, email your amendments to australiandisabilityenterprises (australiandisabilityenterprises@fahcsia.gov.au).
Next time you are looking to acquire goods or services, visit the Australian Disability Enterprises website for businesses that can cater to your needs.
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The Quality Strategy Toolkit was produced and distributed to all Australian Disability Enterprises and Disability Employment Network organisations last year, to replace the Quality Assurance Handbook and Continuous Improvement Handbook.
It contains tools, such as step-by-step guides, worksheets, case studies, examples and suggestions to help funded organisations apply the Quality Strategy in their workplace. It is also an invaluable source of information for Contract Management and Certification Body audit team members, particularly those who are new to the Disability Employment Services Quality Assurance system.
The material contained within the Quality Strategy Toolkit will be updated over time, and the Quality Strategy Team is always looking for new material/tools to add to future editions, as well as any feedback about the current content.
If you would like to contribute new materials you can do so by emailing them to Janice.Chapman - feedback can also be given by completing and forwarding the Feedback form that is located in the front of the Toolkit.
A copy of the toolkit can be located on the FaHCSIA website.
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The DIY Marketing Kit was launched in 2008 and was developed specifically for managers and staff of Australian Disability Enterprises.
The aim of the kit is to provide Australian Disability Enterprise managers with information about how to increase the viability of their commercial enterprise and continue to succeed in today's highly competitive marketplace. The kit is designed as an easy reference guide, so managers can select the resources most useful to their particular circumstances and easily adapt them to meet their individual needs.
Strategic marketing is core business for successful Australian Disability Enterprises. However, there is no 'one size fits all' marketing solution. Australian Disability Enterprises comprise a diverse group that has many different marketing needs and varying levels of expertise and resources. As a result, the kit provides a wide range of marketing information and processes relevant to some extent to all Australian Disability Enterprises. There are also more than 30 easy-to-use guides, tools and tips.
The DIY Marketing Kit can be accessed through the Literature tab on FOFMS. To access the file:
The steps may change slightly depending on the operating system you use. For further information, refer to the instructions on FOFMS.
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When changing the status of a case record on FOFMS to suspended, exited or returned from suspension the same process is used.
In the employee's case record on FOFMS, select the new status from the drop down box in the 'Status' field in the top right-hand corner of the screen, and select the appropriate status change reason from the 'Status Change Reason' field underneath. After saving these changes, the case record will display the new status.
Changing a case status to returned from suspension may prompt an error message on FOFMS, and you will need to contact the CBF Helpdesk and we will return the case for you. This occurs because there is another disability case in FOFMS and only one disability case can be active at any one time. The CBF Helpdesk will confirm that there are no other active disability cases and then return the case from suspension for you.
Information regarding the correct use of status change reasons and step-by-step instructions for changing a Case status can be found in the 'Literature' tab on FOFMS.
FaHCSIA has developed a series of short FOFMS training movies which are now available to all Disability Employment Assistance (DEA) FOFMS Users. Instructions and information about creating and managing case records can be found in the Australian Disability Enterprises Creating and Managing a Case Record in FOFMS training video on the Australian Disability Enterprises FOFMS Training Resource Centre website.
If you need any assistance with changing the status of a case or locating this information in the 'Literature' tab please contact the CBF Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or Helpdesk (Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au).
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The Case Based Funding (CBF) Helpdesk can now be contacted on a new fax number, which is (02) 6133 8340. All Work Based Personal Assistance claims, Australian Apprenticeship claims and any other information that needs to be faxed to the Helpdesk can be sent using this number.
Please contact the CBF Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or Helpdesk (Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au) if you have any questions.
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Please remember to save your changes when updating the case or client records of your supported employees on FOFMS. To do this select the 'Save Record' option in the menu bar located in the FOFMS screen you are currently viewing.
Please note that any underpayments to your service resulting from unsuccessfully saved changes to case and client records will not be back-paid.
FaHCSIA has developed a series of short FOFMS training movies which are now available to all Disability Employment Assistance (DEA) FOFMS Users. Instructions and information about creating, managing and updating client and case records can be found in the training videos on the Australian Disability Enterprises FOFMS Training Resource Centre website.
If you have any questions about updating case or client records please contact the Case Based Funding (CBF) Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or Helpdesk (Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au).
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Nine Councils in Victoria's North-West have followed the City of Greater Bendigo's lead by installing software to make their websites talk.
The City of Greater Bendigo recently installed BrowseAloud talking software on its website and has since worked with the Shires of Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and the Rural City's of Swan Hill and Mildura to have the software installed. BrowseAloud reads website content aloud and highlights each word as it is spoken. The ability to hear, see and track words as they are spoken increases comprehension and improves understanding of words. This is of particular benefit to those with learning and literacy difficulties, dyslexia, mild visual impairments and to those who speak English as a second language.
David Robinson, General Manager of BrowseAloud, said BrowseAloud was created to improve access to websites for a significant proportion of the population who find it difficult to read information online.
"It's clear that these Councils are dedicated to removing barriers to participation in community life. We are delighted with the high rate of uptake across Australia."
BrowseAloud is now used by Councils in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.
For further information about BrowseAloud, visit BrowseAloud (www.browsealoud.com), email: australia (australia@browsealoud.com), or Tel: +44 (0) 28 9442 8105.
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Email disAbility e-news if you'd like more information on a particular issue or program in disAbility e-news or to let us know what you think of the newsletter.
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Your contributions to disAbility e-news are welcome. Do you want to let others know about your successes? Or how you engage with local businesses to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities? Email your story idea to disAbility e-news.
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