Page 1042 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 2012
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There are always exceptions, of course. The story of the establishment of JACKmail is a wonderful example of one family’s determination to secure a meaningful life for their son. JACKmail is now in its sixth year of operation and has delivered more than 17,000 items of mail.
The motion also refers to the government’s recent initiative, the DISH@Oatley. I have had a briefing from the directorate, and from all reports it appears to be a positive step in bringing together a one-stop shop for a range of services and community groups. I look forward to my visit to the DISH, which is currently being organised.
Two of the services in addition are the work experience and social placement program that supports students wanting to do work experience and the transition service for school leavers, which is provided by the House with No Steps. The transition service is designed to work with young people to deliver individually tailored information and support to young people and their families for up to three years after the person has left school, with some of that planning starting while they are still at school.
The challenge, of course, will be for this program and others at DISH as to what impact they have now and how well the facility is patronised by people with a disability and their families. It is a step in the right direction.
In closing, I think it is incumbent on us all to do more to integrate disability employment options into workplace thinking and practices. There are opportunities and we need to also create opportunities for people who want to work and are keen to make a contribution. I thank Ms Hunter for her motion. I move the amendment circulated in my name:
Add new subparagraph (2)(d):
“(d) work more closely with existing service providers to assist them in their efforts to provide additional supported employment places, especially in the ACT Public Service under the Government’s Employment Strategy for People with Disability.”.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Corrections) (3.44): The government strongly supports the needs of young people with a disability and their families and carers. We do believe that properly preparing all students for post-school options during their school education is incredibly important. Accordingly, in our schools and colleges, we have a number of structured initiatives and programs underway to ensure that these young people are best prepared for post-school life.
The review of special education in ACT schools commissioned by this government and conducted by Professor Tony Shaddock in 2009 noted some critical ingredients of planning for the school to adult life transition. These elements include preparing long-term, structured curricular that identify and teach the work skills and social skills a student requires for employment; encouraging student-centred planning; building interagency collaboration, connections, partnerships; and involvement with the job network.
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