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.
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I have spoken previously on, to quote former President Bush, 'the soft bigotry of low expectations' - if you are a member of a marginalised group the public don't expect much and are surprised when anything much is achieved!
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