Supported Employment Discussion Paper
19 July 2010 at 2:29 pm
Just one day before announcing a Federal election, the Gillard Government released a discussion paper on ways to improve support for Australians with severe or profound disability who need supported employment through Australian Disability Enterprises.
Community Services Minister, Jenny Macklin, says the discussion paper called Inclusion for people with disability through sustainable supported employment, offers a starting point for a new ten-year vision which will see people with disability achieving greater participation and inclusion in the community through quality supported employment.
Australian Disability Enterprises provides work for more than 19,000 people who would otherwise be unemployed.
This discussion paper looks at the key commitments of the Gillard Government following Australia’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its release of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten says it's about financial independence, fulfilling work builds self-esteem, provides friendships and gives a person respect.
He says the government is keen to hear people’s ideas about the future direction of supported employment to help the Australian Government develop a new vision for supported employment.
The Gillard Government recently increased funding for Australian Disability Enterprises by $4.5 million in the 2010/11 financial year, bringing total funding to $204 million.
The Government has also appointed an Advisory Committee on Australian Disability Enterprises to guide the consultation process and give expert advice to Government.
Committee representatives include:
• Dr Ken Baker, Chief Executive Officer, National Disability Services
• David Barbagallo , Chief Executive Officer , Endeavour Foundation
• Marion Gaynor, Research Officer, Australian Council of Trade Unions
• Lesley Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
• Samantha Jenkinson, Member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability
• Neil Preston OAM , Chief Executive Officer, Greenacres Disability Services
• Kevin Robbie, Director Employment and Social Enterprise, Social Ventures Australia
Additional members will be appointed to represent academia and key customer groups for Australian Disability Enterprises and to provide general business expertise.
For more information, including a copy of the discussion paper and details about making a written submission or joining in a community consultation, visit:www.fahcsia.gov.au.
The closing date for written submissions is Friday, 17 September 2010.
