For the month of May (excuse me, I should have pointed out that each month NOVA staff have an internal goal or competition of some sort) the 'comp' revolved around staff war stories: things that had happened that we found personally inspirational, moving or likely to remind ourselves and others of our vision and reason for being. This is in addition to the testimonials that we receive and collate for annual publication.
There are more than 20 entries in a range of categories that include and highlight the ability of our job seekers / workers, the willingness of employers to make adaptation for people with disability, the best 'buzz' and a catch-all 'other'.
There's a theme through every one: the dedication and initiative shown by my staff.
It has been my privilege to work with many motivated, intelligent and thoughtful people. I can say that many have been smarter than I, and my colleagues have often shown better insight and resilience than I have been able to muster - what I can't say is whether they have drawn more encouragement and support than I receive as part of NOVA's staff.
This is a place where people who want to make a difference can find the tools and help necessary to succeed (I count myself amongst these) and the freedom to create opportunities for our job seekers.
We are being audited this week (it's an annual process) against the disability service standards and I expect we will, as usual, pass with flying colours.
I am reminded of the place the Disability Services Act has as a landmark piece of legislation - a milestone that enabled organisations like NOVA to exist and has supported many thousands of Australians to gain independence and participation in our society.
What a pity the present environment no longer encourages innovation or initiative.
I celebrated the move from our previous funding body (now FAHCSIA) to what is now Education, Employment & Workplace Relations - I saw this as an appropriate move that recognised people with a disability on the same footing as their non-disabled peers - wrong, wrong, wrong!
What a disaster has occurred.
Instead of searching for new methods for improving programs or seeking better and new ways to increase participation, a regime of compliance, control and stifling bureaucracy has sought to crush the life out of the disability employment network, reducing passion to process, smashing initiative on an anvil of micromanagement and obsession with trivium.
Here's the rub: many of the people presently on DSP do not have major obstacles to participation in the workplace. How did these folk get where they are? Government (Labour & Liberal) parked thousands in DSP rather than the less politically acceptable long term unemployed. Structural inequality between New Start and DSP mean only the brave or uninformed now attempt transition.
The present direction for disability employment is flawed and must inevitably achieve exactly the opposite of its stated intention. The 'Star Ratings' are meaningless*(*Question for today: If the 'Stars' are so good, why dump them? If they suck (and they do) why use them as a measurement system?).
Despite, rather than through, government policy and direction, meaningful outcomes are being achieved for thousands of young people who have a disability. While the 'star' system actively encourages abandoning young people with disability to long term unemployment many DEN services stick to principle and mission.
Hearing their stories is tremendously encouraging - I will post a book of good news as an antidote and counterweight to the present environment.
Would you like a face-to-face meeting with Martin via Skype? Click the button below to make an appointment
Subscribe to this Blog - blog.novaemployment.com.au Copy the link above and paste it into your favourite Reader to subscribe to an RSS feed of this blog. To watch a short video explanation of RSS and how it helps you save time reading the web click here
Your Comments There are currently no comments on this article
Previous Posts
Extraordinary Results
When Government Star Ratings seem designed to celebrate the ordinary, it is a pleasure to be able to share a terrific piece of selfless effort on behalf of others....
Whats wrong with Employment Services II? What's wrong with Employment Services II
My mum used to frequently admonish my brothers and I with the words, 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again'....
Whats wrong with Employment Services? There's rumours of a shake-up in the Job Active program - word is, the program isn't making a real difference and employers don't like it!
There's plenty of evidence to suggest that, despite the best intent of Government and funding body, the Disability Employment Service (DES) is similarly in the doldrums....
I need you! Comrades
NOVA needs you - we are very keen to enlist new members of our organisation.
Here's what you need: the patience of Job, the strength of the Hulk, the wisdom of Solomon and a selfless devotion caring for the needs of others worthy of Mother Teresa....
Tragic Loss People with Disability lost a true champion last Wednesday with the unexpected passing of a truly great man, the Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Australia and a dear friend Mr Paul Cain....
Fair Warning
I'm giving fair warning of my intention to expose examples of the current DES-ESS contract's exploitation.
I have written to the Commonwealth expressing my concerns about clear manipulation of the present contract....
Fundamentals
The new contract for Disability Employment Services (DES) will not bring performance improvement.
Government will scratch it's head, blame the economy, blame people with disability, talk about educating employers and spend money on consultations before coming to the conclusion that people with disability must meet more stringent 'mutual obligations'....
100%
Each year, around about the International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) NOVA Employment holds a formal graduation for students that have participated in our pre-employment programs....
Profiting from poverty
Profiting from Poverty
I am genuinely horrified by this disaster: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/the-demerit-system-is-ruthless-social-policy-designed-to-keep-the-poor-powerless
I believe that we presently represent the job hopes of around 1500 people, in various stages of their progression to independent employment....
New Contract but no change!
New Contract but no change!
Today marks the first day of a new Disability Employment Service (DES) contract.
There are new players and new rules....
Administrative Overload
'It's nice to be busy' and 'busy is better than idle' and all of my mum's other sayings about work being good for you, and all of them said; we're drowning!
The administrative burden of a new Disability Employment Service contract (starts July 1st) and the mountains of paperwork required for an NDIS dollar (approximately 10X that of the former TTW program) has seen us add 3 extra staff to the admin team and we are still receiving a large volume of enquiries that are causing us some time delay in getting back to folk....
Podcasts I've been learning all about Podcasts (I suspect that this may be a long road!)
However, getting paid to be inspired is not the worst way to spend a Monday afternoon and that is just how my day has gone....
Lucky Lucky
I am truly fortunate to work with the very best people in this great nation and we are truly lucky to be part of the best short film festival this side of anywhere!
"Focusonability" voting starts today and there is an even larger number of films (287) than last year....
On the money Sometime over the next week a new Disability Employment Service contract will be announced.
We are moving into a new world of greater consumer choice and greater mobility of job seekers....
Making a tough job tougher!
Making a tough job tougher
It isnt easy to get a decent job and its harder to do so if you have a disability.
NOVA employs around 190 people, an effective and experienced team who are able to draw upon a staff of highly skilled trainers and a support program honed over almost 30 years and tens of thousands of participants....
Your Work There was never any doubt in my mind that I would work. My dad told me I would work and there wasn't ever a suggestion that my future held an alternative option....
Not so bad! Taken from: Today's Guardian at 4.09pm Tuesday 7th November 2017:
www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/jun/23/russia-and-the-us-have-the-worst-employment-gaps-for-disabled-people
In a world full of discouragement there’s always a space for good news....
Informed Choice
The NDIS mantra is 'choice and control'
To be valuable, choice needs to be informed.
Since 2010:
Average Sydney Disability Employment Services placement rates are 34....
Hard Job
It's voting time at "Focusonability" - with a record number of films entered, a tremendous effort by more than 100 High Schools and 19 countries competing in the International section it was always going to be a hard job to pick a winner....
Choice & Control
The NDIS slogans around choice and control demonstrate the importance of consumer involvement in both the choice and control of supports they need.
However, in order to be valuable, choice needs to be informed by accurate data such is this: http://www....