WORKPLACE MODIFICATIONS EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FUND

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WORKPLACE MODIFICATIONS WORKPLACE MODIFICATIONS EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

FUNDFUND

Graham O’NeilGraham O’NeilWorkplace Support ConsultantWorkplace Support Consultant

Multiple SolutionsMultiple Solutions

Disability Employment SymposiumDisability Employment Symposium24 October 201424 October 2014

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OutlineOutline

Employment Assistance Fund Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)(EAF)

Job AccessJob AccessDisability specific Disability specific

accommodationsaccommodationsCase studiesCase studies

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The Workplace The Workplace Modifications Scheme Modifications Scheme

1988: 1988:

The scheme commenced with The scheme commenced with Federal funding of $1 million /yr Federal funding of $1 million /yr

Scope:Scope:

To provide reimbursement of the To provide reimbursement of the costs of workplace modifications costs of workplace modifications & special or adaptive equipment& special or adaptive equipment

Replaced by Employment Replaced by Employment Assistance Fund Assistance Fund

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Employment Assistance Employment Assistance FundFund

Helps people with a disability Helps people with a disability and mental health condition by and mental health condition by providing financial assistance to providing financial assistance to purchase work related purchase work related modifications and servicesmodifications and services

For people who are about to For people who are about to start a job or currently workingstart a job or currently working

Assistance to find and prepare Assistance to find and prepare for work – job search equipmentfor work – job search equipment

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EAF may reimburse the cost of EAF may reimburse the cost of work related modifications and work related modifications and

services including:services including:

Worksite AssessmentWorksite Assessment Physical changes to work environmentPhysical changes to work environment Work vehiclesWork vehicles Adaptive equipment for the workplaceAdaptive equipment for the workplace Information & communication devices Information & communication devices AUSLAN interpretingAUSLAN interpreting Specialist services for employees with Specialist services for employees with

specific learning disorders & mental specific learning disorders & mental health conditionshealth conditions

Disability Awareness trainingDisability Awareness training Mental Health First Aid trainingMental Health First Aid training

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Who can apply? Who can apply?

Employers & the self employedEmployers & the self employedEmployees with disabilityEmployees with disabilityEmployment Service ProvidersEmployment Service Providers

Not required to be DSP recipientNot required to be DSP recipientMay not require worksite May not require worksite

assessmentassessment““Unlimited” funding per Unlimited” funding per

application application (except building (except building modifications: $33K) modifications: $33K)

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Eligibility CriteriaEligibility Criteria

Must have a permanent disability or Must have a permanent disability or lasts more than two yearslasts more than two years

Work minimum 8 hours p/wk for at Work minimum 8 hours p/wk for at least 13 weeks or 20 hours p/wk for least 13 weeks or 20 hours p/wk for self employed (or intention to do so)self employed (or intention to do so)

Be an Australian residentBe an Australian resident Disability/medical condition not Disability/medical condition not

compensablecompensable

NB. All mods & equipment must be NB. All mods & equipment must be work related and due to persons work related and due to persons disabilitydisability

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How to apply for How to apply for assistanceassistance

www.jobaccess.gov.au Commenced July 2006 Commenced July 2006 Comprises:Comprises:

- Telephone and email enquiry - Telephone and email enquiry service service

- A web site - A web site

- Administration of - Administration of

Employment Assistance Fund Employment Assistance Fund & &

AUSLAN for Employment AUSLAN for Employment programs programs

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Funding is provided for a Funding is provided for a wide range of disability – wide range of disability – specific accommodations:specific accommodations:

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Case studiesCase studies

Building Designer Building Designer Neurological disability Neurological disability

Barriers:Barriers: Mobility, access & fatigueMobility, access & fatigue

Solution:Solution: Electric Height adjustable deskElectric Height adjustable desk Manual wheelchair with cushions for home Manual wheelchair with cushions for home

officeoffice Magnetic door catchMagnetic door catch All terrain Frontier V6 Power wheelchair with All terrain Frontier V6 Power wheelchair with

remoteremote Custom built trailer to suit Power wheelchairCustom built trailer to suit Power wheelchair

Total of package: approx $20,000Total of package: approx $20,0002929

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Work Health Safety & Quality Work Health Safety & Quality AdvisorAdvisor

Neurological disability Neurological disability Barriers:Barriers: Mobility, access & fatigueMobility, access & fatigue

Solution:Solution: Hand controls for vehicleHand controls for vehicle All terrain Magic mobility powered wheelchairAll terrain Magic mobility powered wheelchair Folding edge ramp for car transportFolding edge ramp for car transport Portable modular ramping systemPortable modular ramping system Carbon messenger bag for work documentsCarbon messenger bag for work documents Therapod office chair & Z-Rest footrestTherapod office chair & Z-Rest footrest Dragon naturally speaking software & headsetDragon naturally speaking software & headset

Total of package: approx $42,000Total of package: approx $42,000

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Mechanic/Trades Assistant Mechanic/Trades Assistant Brain InjuryBrain Injury

Barriers:Barriers: Physical and cognitive limitationsPhysical and cognitive limitations

Solutions:Solutions: On the job support from a qualified On the job support from a qualified

mechanicmechanic Non-slip matting & step laddersNon-slip matting & step ladders Industrial fans for workshopIndustrial fans for workshop Railing & improved steps to pitsRailing & improved steps to pits Safety laddersSafety ladders

Total of package: approx $18,000Total of package: approx $18,0003434

Events Coordinator-Events Coordinator-schoolschool

Neurological condition Neurological condition Barriers:Barriers: Mobility, access & fatigueMobility, access & fatigue

Solution:Solution: Cooling vests & neck tiesCooling vests & neck ties Clax trolleyClax trolley Bioness L300 kit Bioness L300 kit Handrails for stairs throughout halls on campusHandrails for stairs throughout halls on campus Electric utility vehicle with customised storageElectric utility vehicle with customised storage

Total of package: approx $28,000Total of package: approx $28,000

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A work in progress!A work in progress!

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““Physical modifications Physical modifications to a workplace have a to a workplace have a

small positive but small positive but significant impact on significant impact on

labour force labour force participationparticipation””

The Australian Safety & Compensation Council The Australian Safety & Compensation Council (2007)(2007)

“Are People with Disability at Risk at Work: A “Are People with Disability at Risk at Work: A Review of the Evidence”Review of the Evidence”

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