Disability Services
Learning Disability Network Workshop
In 2019 Future Connect in partnership with Microsoft Australia ran a professional development workshop for teacher aides and teachers who work with students that have specific learning needs. The workshop was conducted at the Microsoft Training Facility at Southbank on October 22.
The Microsoft trainer introduced the participants to software tools such as Immersive Reader & Speak Aloud that are freely available to Victorian schools in Windows 10 and Office 365. The workshop was fully subscribed with 25 participants from government and catholic education schools within the Brimbank/Melton area attending.
The participants rated the workshop activity very high requesting a follow up workshop in 2020 to debrief on how people have used the strategies in the classroom with their students. Microsoft have again agreed to partner with Future Connect to facilitate this request. The 2020 Learning Disability Network Workshop date will be advised in due course.
Inclusive Employment Australia
Inclusive Employment Australia is a new specialist disability employment program. It assists people with disability, injury or health condition to prepare for, find and maintain work and grow their career.
It replaced the Disability Employment Services (DES) program on 1 November 2025.
Inclusive Employment Australia helps create a more inclusive future. The program places participants at the centre of the service. It improves and simplifies services for people looking for work, as well as for employers and service providers.
Benefits of Inclusive Employment Australia
- More people with disability will have opportunities to work.
- You will get better support to find and keep a job.
- There will be more providers skilled in working with people with different disabilities or from diverse backgrounds.
- There will be no more time limits – you can stay with your provider for as long as you need.
- Providers will be more responsive to your needs.
- You can be on the program even if you only work a few hours a week.
Features of the program
- You can choose your provider.
- You can move to a new provider at any time.
- You don’t need to get government payments to be in the program.
- There will be some new providers – some may have skills that interest you.
Support for employers
Employers will be able to access expert guidance from providers on recruitment and workplace practices. Providers will work with employers to:
- identify their business needs
- find suitable candidates
- access training
- make workplace adjustments, job customisation and tailoring
- provide safe and productive workplaces
- retain employees with disability.
Employers may also be eligible for the new wage subsidy program. This will provide up to $10,000 per eligible supported job seekers who are supported to achieve sustainable employment.
A diverse network of providers
A diverse network of high-quality providers deliver the new program. There will be greater focus on providers with staff and leadership reflecting the diversity of their community. Providers will place clients and employers at the centre of their service design. They will build meaningful relationships with both clients and employers.
Please see link to access Inclusive Employment Australia providers in the Brimbank and Melton area. Inclusive Employment Australia providers
Carers Support Link
Vocational Support for Carers is a government funded program that provides increased support in the area of education, training, volunteer work, employment and up-skilling, whilst allowing the carer to maintain their caring role. Click on the attachment below for further information:
Training for people with disabilities
Melton:
Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services Ph: 8746-1000, 239 Station Rd Melton www.djerriwarrh.org.au
WCIG Melton Ph: 9743-0189, 51 Bakery Square Melton http://www.wcig.org.au
Brimbank:
genU Training Ph: 9311-0777, 20 Hertford Rd Sunshine-Formerly Karingal Training http://www.opendoor.org.au
Open Door Sunshine (formerly WCIG) Ph: 9311-9411, Shop 2, 27-35 Clarke St Sunshine http://www.opendoor.org.au
Open Door St Albans (formerly WCIG) Ph: 9364-6199, 352A Main Rd West, St Albans http://www.opendoor.org.au
Information about government disability services
Centrelink Ph: 13 24 90 http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Department of Health & Human Services (direct connection to regional intake and response service) Ph: 1300 650 172 http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/disability
National Disability Insurance Scheme:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/Operational-Guideline/including-6
Other Disability Service Providers
| Other Disability Service Opportunities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Melton: | ||
| Mambourin Enterprises | 20 McKenzie St Melton 3337 9731-9200 | www.mambourin.org |
| Merrimu Services | 51A Kurunjang Drive Melton 3337 9971-2100 | |
| Sunshine Other: | ||
| Mambourin Enterprises | Head Office: 159 Derrimut Drive Derrimut 3030 9731-9200 | www.mambourin.org |
| TEAM (Horticulture) | 2A Station St Coburg 3058 Ph: 1300 514 827 | www.team.org.au |
Careers Information and Resources for young people with disabilities
| Careers Information and Resources for Young People with Disabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| AccessApps | Offers over 50 free assistive technology applications that can make reading, writing, planning and other things easier. | For more information and to download Accessapps: www.eduappcentre.com |
| DisAbilityconnections (Victoria) | Formerly the Western Regional Disability Network (WRDN) this is a network of over 1,000 people with disabilities, their carers/families, service providers, government adn community. Membership is free to anyone who shares a passion for disability issues. | https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/directory/disability-connections-victoria |
| Disability support at University | All Universities and TAFEs have disability support staff to assist, such as Victoria University's Disability Liaison Officers | www.vu.edu/astudent-life/getting-help/disability-support |
| JobAccess | Can provide you and your employer with information about support in the workplace, including financial assistance available to help with modifications, equipment or support you may need | www.jobaccess.gov.au |
| Metro Access Officer | Councils employ a Metro Access Officer whose job it is to assist people with disabilities in accessing information and services in their council area. Brimbank: Ph: 9249-4451 Melton: Ph: 9747-7358 |