Disability Induction Program
Course 1:
It’s a great career if you
enjoy working with
people
CONTACT DETAILS
National Disability Services (NDS)
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nds.org.au
Telephone: 02 9256 3100
Produced by
NDS NSW, Level 18, 1 Castlereagh St, Sydney, NSW 2000
Funded by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
January 2015
© This publication is copyright
All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth),
no use of this work, which is within the exclusive right of the copyright owner, may be
made.
National Disability Services is the Australian peak body for non-government
disability services. Through the provision of information, representation and policy
advice, promotes and advances services which support people with all forms of
disability to participate in all domains of life.
carecareers is a not-for-profit employment initiative for the disability and
community care sector. Its elements include a high-profile marketing campaign, a
comprehensive sector-specific job website (www.carecareers.com.au) and a fully
staffed Career Centre providing advice to jobseekers by phone and email.
i
Contents
Course 1: It’s a great career if you enjoy working with people
1
It’s a great career if you enjoy working with people, module 1
2
It’s a great career if you enjoy working with people, module 2
20
It’s a great career if you enjoy working with people, module 3
42
Resources
56
ii
Course 1: It’s a great career if you
enjoy working with people
In this course, you will learn that working with people with disability to
achieve their lifetime goals is rewarding and varied.
The course contains three modules:
 It’s a great career if you enjoy working with people, module 1
 It’s a great career if you enjoy working with people, module 2
 It’s a great career if you enjoy working with people, module 3.
1
It’s a great career if you enjoy
working with people, module 1
Module introduction
In this module you will:

meet some people with disability

examine the stereotypes and realities about people with disability

learn some facts about the disability sector

find out why people enjoy working in the disability sector.
Sita and George in George’s lounge room
Sita
George knows a lot about disability, as he has a disability himself. He’s
kindly welcomed us into his home.
2
George
I’m passionate about getting the right people to work in the disability
sector. People like you, who want to make a positive difference to
individuals’ lives by supporting them to achieve their goals and aspirations
and to live in their community as they choose.
You must have lots of questions, like “Who has a disability? What is a
disability? How can I make a difference?” Work through this module to
start finding the answers.
First, we’ll start by meeting some people with disability that I know.
3
Meet some people with disability
Every person with a disability is unique and will have their own individual
needs, goals and aspirations. Let’s meet Anna, Tony and Sarah and hear
their stories.
Anna
Watch the movie
Video file reference: Course 1 Module 1 Anna – Story
YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fNJKHbjNs
mM
Anna
“Hi my name is Anna and I’m 33 years old. My disability is Down
Syndrome. I’m here at 9. We start at morning tea and then we start our
programs at about 10. Yeah I like coming here cause I get along with
everyone here and they’re nice. Yeah dancing we do, we do the programs
here, like umm if we do like music and dance program. Yeah I like doing
4
hip hop with my friends. Yeah uh uh I like photography because we go out
in the community and we take photos of umm, just basic flowers and umm,
houses and stuff like that. Uhh the support workers are quite nice, we
they’re fun to get along with. Yeah these are the earrings that we make.
My favourite ones would have to be this one, uh this one here. Umm we
have funky theatre which is what we do in the junction works. That’s one
of the programs that one of our staff do, with Adrian is the, umm teacher of
umm the funky theatre. In funky theatre they do acting for screen. It, it is
fun doing that. In the future I like to have my, my own family, someday.
And, and umm just be happy and get along with everything that I’m happy
with.”
Tony
Watch the movie
Video file reference: Course 1 Module 1 Tony – Story
YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CrkBfI1tY
ms
5
Tony
“My name is Tony, I am forty, just turned forty-seven years of age. I work
two Jobs. My disability is spinal cord injury from a fall off a balcony. I was
eighteen at the time when I had the accident, pretty much everything in
your life changes. In order for me to live out in the community, I live by
myself. I have to; I get assistance on a day-to-day basis. Having a care
package, which gives me 35 hours a week allows me to live by myself and
be as independent as I can. My interests would be getting out and going to
the movies from time to time, going out to restaurants, I like to see bands.
What I would look for in a carer would be someone who is fairly open
minded and mainly just has a good attitude. I suppose I would say
someone who’s a people person, who you can have a chat with; as you
would anyone and someone that is willing to just learn on the job. If I had
any particular goals it would be just probably to do a little bit of travelling.
People with disabilities are just like anyone else, they just want to be able
to get out and do everything that everyone else does.”
6
Sarah
Watch the movie
Video file reference: Course 1 Module 1 Sarah – Story
YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yY7a8O8Y
Xy0
Sarah and Kim
Watch the movie
Kim: “My name is Kim, this is my daughter Sarah, she’s 10. Er... Sarah
has both medical and intellectual disabilities, but she’s gorgeous aren’t
you?”
Sarah: “Yeah I am a beautiful girl.”
7
Kim: “There you go (laughs). We’ve had OT we’ve had speech pathology.
Most of the workers that Sarah encounters, be it at vacation care or
through therapy, they’re compassionate. They’re people that see her as a
person, they don’t see her as a problem. We do private speech pathology,
umm, but we turn up and the speechy will talk to Sarah before she talks to
me. What do you like doing Sarah?”
Sarah: “Haha umm, I like "cooking.”
Kim: “Cooking, and.”
Sarah: “I like dancing.”
Kim: “Dancing. What do we do after we do the cooking? What do we do
with the food that we cook?”
Sarah: “Eat it.”
Kim: “So she has normal interests, same interests as others kids.”
Sarah: “And Wiggles.”
Kim: “And Wiggles. We’re still doing the Wiggles. She’ll sit down with her
sister and do some drawing. It’s hard to visualise in a way going forward
what life’s going to hold for Sarah. Uh I really want her to be happy, that’s
the main thing. And I think anyone who would want to work with someone
like Sarah would be a great person.”
8
What have you learned?
So, now you’ve met several people with disability and you’ve learned that
each person is unique and will have their own individual needs, goals and
aspirations. Working within the disability sector gives you the chance to
work with people like Anna, Tony, Sarah and myself, and support us to
have full and rich lives. It is important work – and very rewarding!
Activity
What else did you learn from the stories? Take some time to reflect on
Anna, Tony and Sarah’s videos and answer these questions.
1. How do the stories compare to what you already knew about the
lives of people with disability?
2. Did you learn new things from the stories?
3. How do the individual’s interests, goals and aspirations compare to
your own, or to other people you know in the community?
9
4. What do you think is important to each person?
5. Were you surprised by anything in the stories?
6. What inspired you about any of the stories?
10
Activity conclusion
People with disability, like Anna, Tony, Sarah and George, have the right
to make choices and live fulfilling lives. A move towards individualised
funding gives people with disability more control over the support they
receive. It also enables people who work in the sector to make a
difference to the lives of each individual.
Resources
To find out more about the National Disability Insurance Scheme, also
known as the NDIS, and individualised funding, go to the Resources
section (see page 56.)
11
What are stereotypes and what is reality?
In reflecting on Anna, Tony and Sarah’s videos, your views of the lives of
people with disability may have changed. It’s common for people to
misunderstand or even stereotype people with disability. It’s mostly about
a lack of knowledge and education about disability. So let’s dispel a few
myths.
Myths and reality
Myths
Reality
People are defined by their
People are unique individuals, with
disability.
their disability being just one aspect
of their lives.
People with disability are objects
People with disability are
of charity.
independent and capable.
People with disability are
People with disability participate in
dependant and a burden on
and contribute to the community.
society.
Decisions about care needs are
People with disability have the right
made on behalf of the person
to make informed choices about the
with disability.
supports they receive.
12
What is a disability?
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical,
mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with
various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society
on an equal basis with others.
(Reference: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities.)
13
Facts about the disability sector
Education is a great place to start if we want to change our attitudes
towards, and increase our understanding of, disability. Let’s find out a bit
more about disability in Australia and the disability workforce.
Activity
Answer the following questions about what you think the facts are around
disability in Australia.
1. How many Australians do you think have a disability?
a. 5%
b. 10%
c. 20%
d. 25%
2. How many people work in the disability sector in Australia?
a. 40,000
b. 50,000
c. 60,000
d. 70,000
14
Feedback
1. The correct answer is: c. 20% of Australians have a disability.
That’s over 4 million people. If we also include the families and
carers of people with disability, the overall number of people
impacted by disability is significant.
2. The correct answer is: d. 70,000.
People work in a range of full-time and part-time permanent,
casual, contract and volunteer roles in the sector. It’s a larger and
more significant sector than many people realise.
15
The future?
Did you know it is estimated that the disability sector workforce will double
in size with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme,
creating lots of exciting career opportunities for new and existing
employees?
Before the NDIS
Image showing that, prior to the NDIS, 70,000 people are employed in the
disability sector
After the NDIS is introduced
Image showing that following the introduction of NDIS, approximately
140,000 people will be employed in the disability sector
16
Why people working in the disability sector
Sita
George is just one of the people with disability I work with. In my role as a
support worker I work flexible hours and no two days are the same.
What motivates me most is that every day I am not just supporting people
to get through their day; I’m supporting each person to make their own
choices and to have control over their own lives. I’m working with them
towards achieving their goals and aspirations.
Every day I’m making a difference and that feels great.
I enjoy working in the disability sector because:

I’m supporting people to achieve their goals and aspirations.

I get to work in a range of places; in people’s homes, at their
workplaces, out in the community, as well as in my organisation’s
office.

I enjoy the variety.

I have flexibility.

I know I’m making a difference.
How you can make a difference
Sita is one of a number of people who support George. There is actually a
team of people and a range of supports that people with disability use.
You can be part of that team, too!
17
George with Sita alongside pictures of other individuals in the team who
support him
Sita
There are so many different entry points and roles within the disability
sector. I have so much choice moving forward with my career in the future.
You’ll find out more about these roles as you explore this program further.
18
Module conclusion
Sita
Well done, you’ve completed ‘It’s a great career if you enjoy working with
people, module 1’. Here are the key learning points for this module.
When you’re ready, go to ‘It’s a great career if enjoy working with people,
module 2’. You’ll meet some people working in the disability sector, find
out what they do and explore more opportunities.
Key learning points

Anyone can be affected by disability at any time in their life.

People with disability can be supported to achieve their goals and
aspirations, and participate and contribute to social, economic and
cultural life in Australia.

People with disability have the right to make choices.

The introduction of the NDIS and individualised funding gives
people control over the support and services they receive.

Working in the disability sector can make a positive difference to
individuals’ lives.
19

There are many careers and opportunities in the disability sector.

Working in the disability sector is rewarding.
It’s a great career if you enjoy
working with people, module 2
Module introduction
In this module, you’ll learn about:
 the types of careers in the disability sector
 how to enter the workforce
 the learning and development pathways.
Sita and George at the park
Sita
I love my job. I find one of the great things about working in the disability
sector is that there are so many career opportunities. There are also lots
of opportunities to grow and develop, both personally and professionally.
George and I are getting together in the park with some people from the
sector. Come and join us and find out more.
20
George
All the people we’re meeting here make a difference in the lives of people
with disability through their work. By meeting them, you’ll discover the
different careers available; how people enter the workforce and the
learning and development pathways that can support you in your career.
21
What career opportunities are available?
Here are some people who work in the sector that George and Sita know.
They describe their different roles and responsibilities.
These are just some of the jobs and careers available to you.
Working in the disability sector gives you the opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of people with disability. Regardless of the job you
do, it will involve supporting people to achieve their goals and aspirations,
and to live in their community as they choose.
Disability support worker
Disability support worker
“I am a Disability Support Worker. I’m employed part-time by a regional
disability service provider and travel to assist people with disability in their
own homes. Each person is different and I enjoy learning about their lives,
their family and their interests.”
Speech Pathologist
Speech Pathologist
22
“I’m a speech pathologist and I work with young people who have autism.
Most of us take communication for granted, but when I am able to provide
strategies for people with communication difficulties, I feel I have made a
positive contribution to their lives.”
Manager
Manager
“I’m a Manager. I manage a centre-based program that provides activities
and respite services for people with intellectual disabilities. I create
partnerships within the community, program activities, and manage staff. It
requires a lot of innovation and networking.”
Finance Adviser
Finance Adviser
“I’m a Finance Advisor. I work for a disability service provider. I provide
guidance to people with disability on the financial aspects of their
individualised support package. Some people may want to use their
funding to purchase a wheelchair, others want services to support them to
participate in community activities.”
23
Project coordinator
Project Coordinator
“I’m a Project Coordinator. I work for a not-for-profit organisation in the
disability community. I run workshops to provide information to people with
disability, their families, employees, businesses and the wider community.
I am a person with disability myself.”
Trainee
Trainee
“I’m a trainee. When I left school, I got a traineeship in an early
intervention service. I get paid and also receive on-the-job training. Now I
have the opportunity to work with children with disability in my own
community.”
24
How can you enter the sector?
You may not have formal qualifications or training in disability, but you
may have other skills and knowledge, as well as the right attitude to have
a successful and enjoyable career in the disability sector.
Entry points

Have you recently graduated from high school?

Are you a university student looking for casual work while you
study, or for a career opportunity once you have finished studying?

Are you looking for a career change?

Are you a mature aged person interested in part-time work?

Do you have personal experience in supporting a friend, relative or
colleague with a disability?
Activity
Briefly describe your motivation and interest in the sector by responding to
the following questions.
1. What is your current educational level?
2. What are your career goals?
25
3. What life experience can you bring to a role in the disability
sector?
4. What skills do you have that are transferable to a role in the
disability sector?
5. What hours and days would you like to be able to work?
6. What is it about the disability sector that attracts you?
26
What are some of the pathways for further
learning and development?
There’s a variety of learning and development pathways available to
workers in the disability sector. Here are a few options to consider that you
can use to support your professional development.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Your existing knowledge, skills and attitudes can be assessed by a
Registered Training Organisation.
Workshops
Keep up-to-date with current topics in the disability sector through
attending workshops.
On-the-job training
This is an essential part of learning and development in the sector. It
involves learning by doing. This might include structured training under the
guidance of a colleague or supervisor, or less formal training such as
completing everyday tasks, reflecting on your experiences and learning
from them.
Traineeships
This is a great way to find a job in the sector and undertake a formal
relevant qualification at the same time.
Tertiary qualifications
Some roles require a tertiary qualification such as speech pathology,
social work or accountancy.
Certificates and diplomas
Certificates and diplomas in disability can be undertaken with Registered
Training Organisations.
27
The careers of three disability sector workers
So let’s see how three of the people we met earlier got to where they are
now, and where they go from here. We’ll find out how their careers have
progressed and what their plans are for the future. Let’s start with Anna, a
disability support worker.
Anna, a Disability Support Worker
Anna
Starting out
At school Anna volunteered as part of her Duke of Edinburgh. She really
enjoyed it but hadn’t thought about working in the disability sector as a
career option.
Anna studied for a Certificate III in Customer Contact and worked in a call
centre with an insurance company.
Anna left the insurance company to have a family. When her children
started school she wanted to return to work on a part-time basis and was
successful in applying for a position as a disability support worker.
Initially she worked in supported accommodation, but occasionally did
some extra hours for the same organisation supporting people in their own
homes, where she is working now.
28
Current role
When completing her initial training Anna attended courses in manual
handling, tube feeding, medication management and meeting personal
care needs.
She also attended a customer service skills course where she was able to
utilise her previous knowledge and experience.
Future plans
Moving forward, Anna is now a Regional Manager responsible for 10
supported accommodation facilities.
When she was a disability support worker she became a buddy for new
employees which led to her appointment as a team leader.
She was later promoted to manage a supported accommodation facility
with a team of six people working 24 hour shifts. She also studied parttime for a Certificate IV in Frontline Management.
Ravi, a Manager
Ravi
Starting out
Ravi previously worked in banking as a Business Manager. He took
voluntary redundancy following a reorganisation at the bank.
He had become disillusioned with working in a corporate environment and
looked at the disability sector for alternative career opportunities.
29
Current role
Ravi is really enjoying his job as a manager of a group program working
with adults.
He has attended lots of on-the-job training and workshops since joining his
organisation.
Recently Ravi met a colleague who assists people with disability and
mental health issues to secure employment. Ravi is really interested in
finding out more about this type of work.
Future plans
Ravi has spoken to his manager about his interest in applying for a
management role in employment services next year.
Ravi and his manager are exploring opportunities for him to learn more
about employment services before he applies.
Gino, a Speech Pathologist
Gino
Starting out
At university Gino studied for a Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology).
He also worked as a casual disability support worker whilst studying and
supported people with disability to participate in recreational activities in
the community. He really enjoyed working with teenagers and young
people.
After graduating he became a speech pathologist in public health.
30
Current role
After two years in public health, Gino decided to apply to work with a
specialist autism disability service, where he is now part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
He is also studying for his Masters and wants to progress to a practice
leader position where he will be responsible for a team of speech
pathologists.
Future plans
In the future Gino would like to do a PhD and specialise in the field of
autism, and augmentative and alternative communication strategies.
He would also like become a part-time university lecturer and a clinical
supervisor for other allied health professionals.
31
The disability workforce
There are so many rewarding careers in the disability sector. However, the
majority of people work in three main areas:
Frontline support workers
Chart showing 63% of people employed in the disability sector are
frontline support workers
Allied health
32
Chart showing 12% of people employed in the disability sector are in allied
health roles
Management, administration, corporate services,
employment services and other business support
roles
Chart showing 25% of people employed in the disability sector are in
management, administration, corporate services, employment services
and other business support roles
33
Disability sector roles
Each job in the disability sector is unique, with its own rewards and
challenges. Let's meet three new people and find out more about their
roles.
Sally, a Residential Support Worker
Sally
“I work in the home of four young men, with intellectual disabilities. Each
one has an individualised plan, developed with the individuals themselves,
their families and the employees here. It’s important to find out their
interests and their individual capabilities, so I can support them to be as
independent as possible.
Wayne, for example, loves to cook and he helps prepare the meals. He
also likes order, so it’s best to give him cooking instructions one at a time.
The work is not always easy and sometimes you need to be resilient, but
there’s great support from the team.”
34
Fong, a Recreation Lifestyle Coordinator
Fong
“I’m with a not-for-profit, disability service provider. I work with people with
disability to identify their goals and recreational interests and to support
them to actively participate in community life.
Part of this involves helping match each person to the right disability
support worker, preferably one who has similar interests and can make a
personal connection. It is a challenging role which requires creativity,
flexibility and good organisational skills.”
35
Harsel, a Regional Manager
Harsel
“I work for an organisation that supports people with disability in their
home, whether independently or in a supported environment. I have a
Masters Degree in Disability Studies.
My operational responsibilities include overseeing service delivery and
ensuring branches have the equipment they need. I also help plan future
policy. And it’s my job to bring my teams up to speed with changes around
individualised funding, and in exploring different ways of delivering service
to meet people’s needs.”
Sita
Not only is there a wide variety of career opportunities in the disability
sector, there is also a range of flexible working arrangements for people
interested in full-time, part-time, casual, contract and volunteer positions.
36
All of these different arrangements provide flexible options both for people
with disability and for people working in the sector.
Activity
The following are extracts from three job advertisements. Identify
which advertisement matches each of the jobs you read about.
Job 1: Part-time shift work, 7 day roster, including sleepovers

Do you enjoy working with a team who are committed to making a
difference to people’s lives?

Are you able to identify creative ideas for working with young
people?

Interested in working flexible hours?

Can you manage your own workload?
Select the job:
a. Regional Manager
b. Residential Support Worker
c. Speech Pathologist
d. Recreation Lifestyle Coordinator
37
Job 2: Full-time, 38 hours per week

Do you enjoy leading a team of passionate, energetic and
committed people?

Are you able to identify a range of different, innovative and exciting
activities that individuals can choose from?

Interested in using your IT skills to find creative solutions?

Interested in working flexible hours during the week and weekend?

Experienced at communicating and linking a diverse group of
people together?
Select the job:
a. Regional Manager
b. Residential Support Worker
c. Speech Pathologist
d. Recreation Lifestyle Coordinator
38
Job 3: Full-time, 38 hours per week

Are you a passionate and dynamic individual able to lead a diverse
team of skilled and professional employees in our busy Western
Region?

Are you committed to delivering quality, customer focused
services?

You’ll need to be able to travel across the region to meet the people
with disability we support, team members and key community
Select the job:
a. Regional Manager
b. Residential Support Worker
c. Speech Pathologist
d. Recreation Lifestyle Coordinator
39
Feedback
Job 1: The correct answer is b. Residential Support Worker
Job 2: The correct answer is d. Recreation Lifestyle Coordinator
Job 3: The correct answer is a. Regional Manager
40
Module Conclusion
Sita
Well done, you’ve completed ‘It’s a great career if you enjoy working with
people, module 2’.
When you’re ready, go to the next module.
Key learning points

The disability sector offers a wide range of careers and jobs with
rewards and challenges.

It is a changing area, with lots of opportunity for personal and
professional growth.

41
There are many ways to enter the sector and progress your career.
It’s a great career if you enjoy
working with people, module 3
Module introduction
In this module, you’ll learn about:
 what has changed in the disability sector in the past hundred years
 the changes in approach to providing disability services
 how life has changed for people with disability.
Sita and George in George’s lounge room
Sita
In this module we'll be looking at how services and attitudes towards
disability in Australia have changed over the past hundred years. We’ll see
how these changes have affected the lives of people with disability as well
as the roles of workers in the sector.
42
What’s changed?
The following images and descriptions give an insight into how things have
changed in disability over the past hundred or so years.
19th Century
An example of an institution in the 19th Century
People with disability were viewed as deserving of charity. They were
separated from the community and housed in institutions, hospitals,
‘asylums’ or specialist schools. The residents were provided with little or
no choice about how they lived their lives.
43
Early 20th Century
Soldiers returning from the second World War
The invalid pension scheme was introduced to relieve families and
charities who were responsible for caring for people with disability.
1948
The provision of services started with the introduction of a Commonwealth
Rehabilitation Service designed to assist injured armed forces members
and people on an invalid pension in returning to work.
44
1950s
People with disability working in a sheltered workshop in the 1950s
Sheltered workshops were set up in Australia. Many workshops, now
known as Australian Disability Enterprises, were created by parents of
people with disability who wanted different education, employment and
accommodation opportunities for their children. This happened at a time
when institutionalised care was the only alternative.
45
1970s
A person with disability with a support worker in the garden of his own
home
In the 1970s attitudes towards disability continued to change as the rights
of people with disability were considered. This change was championed by
people with disability and their advocates.
A shift occurred to better recognise people with disability as valued
members of the community and encourage them to make their own
decisions.
There was an increase in the number of people with disability securing
work in open employment. Large institutions started to close down and be
replaced with community based accommodation.
46
1986 and 1992
A person with disability smiling
1986
The Disability Services Act started the inclusion of people with disability in
the community and was a landmark reform in making disability services
more flexible for their users. This marked a big change as disability was
previously seen as a medical issue, not a social responsibility, which it is
today.
1992
The Disability Discrimination Act became law in Australia. It penalised
discrimination against people with disability in areas such as employment,
education and accommodation. It also recognised the rights of people with
disability to access community services and public facilities.
47
2008
A young boy with a physical disability smiling
Australia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities. The convention requires that governments promote the
equal and active participation of people with disability. It is a historic
human rights document that guarantees the fundamental freedoms,
respect and dignity of people with disability.
Australia’s decision meant that more services started to provide programs
that gave people with disability greater choice and control.
48
2011 and 2013
A man with disability smiling
2011
The Productivity Commission recommended the National Disability
Insurance Scheme be created to fund support for people with disability.
Importantly, the Commission proposed that funding be allocated and
based on each individual’s needs and requirements.
2013
The revised National Standards for Disability Services were released. The
new standards promote a nationally consistent approach to improving the
quality of services, and maximise choice and control over services by
people with disability.
Now and into the future
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (see page 56) allocates
funds for people with disability based on their individual needs, goals and
aspirations.
49
What are the changes in approach to
providing disability services?
Let’s look at how the traditional approach to providing disability services
differs from the more contemporary approach we see in place today. The
changes over time shown in the previous topic demonstrate how people
with disability have moved from being institutionalised to having more
choice and control over how they are supported and how they live their
lives as valued members of society.
What does this mean for you?
How we work in the disability sector has changed in line with changes in
attitudes. Now the role of employees in the disability sector is to support
people with disability to achieve their goals and aspirations. Let’s see how
this works in practice.
Activity
1. Which sentence do you think describes a contemporary
approach to supporting people with disability?
Select one option.
a. Disability is an illness or impairment that requires treatment and
management.
b. People with disability are supported to achieve their goals and
aspirations and to live in their community as they choose.
2. How services are provided to people with disability have
changed. You are assisting Marianne to get dressed for the
day - which approach to providing services applies today?
Select one option.
a. “Marianne, you are going to wear this dress today.”
b. “Which outfit would you like to wear today, Marianne?”
c. “I know you like this dress, Marianne, so I washed it for you to
wear today.”
50
Feedback
1. The correct answer is a. People with disability are supported to
achieve their goals and aspirations and to live in their community as
they choose.
2. The correct answer is b. “Which outfit would you like to wear today,
Marianne?”
51
How life has changed for people with
disability
Now that you know a bit more about how the disability sector has changed
over time and how the traditional approach to providing disability services
differs to today’s more contemporary approach, let’s see how the changes
can have a real impact on the people. Let’s meet Stephen and see how
his life would have been if he had been born in the 1940s and been a
young adult in the 1960s.
We’ll then contrast this with how his actual life is as a young man today.
A traditional approach
Stephen in 1940
An example of institutionalised care where children with disability were
looked after by nurses and ward assistants in a hospitalised setting
Stephen was born with an intellectual disability and vision impairment.
His parents were advised that he should be cared for in an institution
where he would be looked after by nurses and ward assistants.
52
Stephen in 1962
A ward in an institution/hospital setting
Stephen is now 22. He lives in an institution with a hundred other people
and shares a dormitory with twenty other boys and men. He has little
contact with his parents.
53
A contemporary approach
Stephen today
Stephen standing in front of a stadium
Stephen received early intervention at home and in preschool from the
age of two. He attended his local public school. After school he completed
a Certificate III at college and now has a job in an office.
He enjoys going to the football and the pub with his friends, and is
physically active. He lives in a shared house with some mates and uses
public transport to get around.
George
What a difference to how things were!
As a person working in the disability sector, you will have many
opportunities to support people with disability to achieve their goals and
aspirations, and to live their lives as they choose.
54
Module Conclusion
Sita
Well done, you’ve completed ‘It’s a great career if you enjoy working with
people, module 3’.
When you’re ready, go to the next course.
Key learning points

Attitudes towards people with disability and how support was
provided has moved from a model of institutionalisation to an
approach that focuses on the needs, goals and aspirations of each
individual.

The disability sector is changing how it provides services and is
implementing new ways of supporting people with disability so that
they can live their lives as they choose.
55
Resources
Module 1
Individualised funding
All NDIS participants will receive an individual plan that documents the
nature and amount of services to which they are entitled. Participants will
be given the option of ‘self-management’ which involves allocating funding
directly to an individual so they can choose the supports necessary to
meet their disability related support needs.
The level of individual funding and support will be directly related to
addressing the impact of a disability on that person’s functioning in key
areas of life. A participant would be funded on an annual basis to
purchase services, aids and equipment from a variety of providers.
As a person’s circumstances or condition changes, it is expected that their
individual plan will adjust in line with new conditions.
Individualised funding aims to:

Maximise the independence of the individual

Maximise choice and control over supports and services by people
with disability, their families and carers to achieve the outcomes
identified in their plan

Determine the appropriate use of government funding to achieve
outcomes, rather than working within defined programmatic
guidelines, and

Increase the opportunity to access valued roles and community
inclusion of people with disability.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been designed to
transform how people with disability in Australia access supports and
services.
56
For people living with permanent disability, the NDIS provides funding for
supports that are classified as reasonable and necessary. This could
include but is not limited to therapeutic, community or employment
support. The Scheme also provides funding for young people with
disability who require early intervention.
The NDIS will be fully implemented across Australia. It will offer people
with disability the opportunity to choose how they want to manage and
access reasonable and necessary supports.
Module 3
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been designed to
transform how people with disability in Australia access supports and
services.
For people living with permanent disability, the NDIS provides funding for
supports that are classified as reasonable and necessary. This could
include but is not limited to therapeutic, community or employment
support. The Scheme also provides funding for young people with
disability who require early intervention.
The NDIS will be fully implemented across Australia. It will offer people
with disability the opportunity to choose how they want to manage and
access reasonable and necessary supports.
57