Career Resource Guidelines for Young People with Disabilities
Young people with disabilities are a diverse group, including those with mental and physical disabilities (physical, psychological, sensory, learning, intellectual, neurological, and chronic medical conditions, which can be either permanent or temporary). Programs need to be tailored to suit the needs of the particular group of young people with whom educators are working.
Changes in the labour market will mean more Australians will be needed in the workforce in the future. Currently, an average of 100,000 new workers join the workforce each year. Between 2020 and 2030, it is expected that only 100,000 new workers will join the workforce over the entire 10 years. This will mean more opportunities to engage all Australians in the paid workforce.
There are many programs and support structures in place to engage people with disabilities in the workforce.
Program delivery
Programs for young people need to begin early in their secondary schooling to ensure successful transitions.
More time may be needed to prepare people with disabilities for entry to the paid workforce, to ensure they have the skills for ongoing success and satisfaction in their employment. A student’s Managed Individual Pathway Plan (MIPs) can outline a pathway to follow to ensure a successful post school transition.
Before entering any workplace, young people with disabilities need an understanding of what to expect, and employer and employee rights and responsibilities.
An additional lesson Before you go… (Word - 565Kb) is included as an introductory session prior to workplace learning experiences. All students should complete safe@work the occupational health and safety general and industry specific modules.
Students with disabilities should be well prepared for their workplace learning experiences and may need experiences that are well structured. Careful, individualised planning will assist students to have a positive experience and provide an opportunity for them to explore a range of post school pathways. It may be appropriate to work with students' family / carers to ensure that workplace experiences are positive.
Self awareness lessons
All young people need the opportunity to explore their abilities, interests and values. For lessons in this section, modify student handouts to suit the needs of particular groups.
Opportunity awareness lessons
The career exploration process is about identifying jobs that suit student's interests, abilities and values.
Students’ research of careers should help them identify the skills required to undertake a particular employment pathway. They then have the opportunity to research in detail and try out jobs that really interest them and suit their abilities and values. They can identify any type of additional support or modifications that may be required to pursue a particular pathway.
Decision learning lessons
Everyone needs to understand how they make decisions and who can help them with this process. 'Reality checking' of all students' decisions is part of this process.
Transition planning lessons
Many community and specialist support services are in place to help young people in their transition planning and assist them with their transition to paid employment. Lessons and handouts in this section should be modified to suit particular groups of students.
The Before you go… (Word - 565Kb) lesson should be completed prior to students doing any learning activities in the workplace.
VET Options and pathways lessons
Options and pathways in the Vocational Education and Training sector are highlighted in these lessons for students from Year 6 to Year 10. They can be used as a unit on their own, or incorporated with lessons from the other sections of this resource.
Support services
When young people with disabilities need extra support, there are many community and government services available to them. These include:
Futures for Young Adults (FFYA) - provides information, advice and support for up to three years to young people with disabilities leaving school.
Disability Coordination Officers (DCO) – a national network of support officers to assist people with a disability move from school into training and higher education, and into their chosen career.
Disability Employment Network - help people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep a job, and can help with ongoing support at work.
Job Services Australia - a new approach to help job seekers find work launched in July 2009.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services - combine specialist rehabilitation with employment assistance to help people with disability, injury or a health condition to gain or keep a job.
Disability Investment Group and Disability Enterprises - explore innovative funding ideas from the private sector that will help people with a disability and their families access greater support and plan for the future. Disability Enterprises are commercial businesses that provide employment for people with a disability.
Personal Support Programme - provides support for people with difficult personal circumstances if they hold someone back from achieving your goals.
Jobs Placement, Employment and Training (JPET) - assists young people aged between 15 and 21 years who are, or risk becoming, homeless.
Job Access - information and services for job seekers with a disability.
Work Experience Placement Program - provides an opportunity to observe and participate in the every day activities of a workplace.