Everyone has different levels of contact with people with disability. As a result, some of your employees may be concerned that they will embarrass themselves or a co-worker with disability by saying or doing the wrong thing. This can lead to uneasiness when meeting a new employee with disability or potentially result in misunderstanding and anxiety for both the co-worker and the new employee.
Disability awareness training provides facts, research, tips for communication and tips for accommodation within the workplace. It can ensure that:
- co-workers feel at ease when communicating and working with a new employee with disability
- new employees with disability feel supported by their co-workers when they commence a new job.
Disability awareness training options and assistance
If you would like to organise disability awareness training for your staff, there are a number of options available to you.
Australian Government employment service providers
Australian Government employment service providers provide assistance with the recruitment of people with disability and, in some instances supporting employees at work. They may also be able to assist you with disability specific training.
The following case study shows how Australian Government employment service providers can help:
Employer organisations or consultancy services
Contact employer organisations, such as Australian Employers Network on Disability, or consultancy services, such as Diversity at Work, regarding their ability to provide you and your staff with disability awareness training. See our Related Links for more information.
Disability Awareness HR Management Online Seminar
This is a free online seminar covering diversity training specific to disability awareness for human resource professionals. Through this seminar you will have the opportunity to learn more about current history, myths and facts, research, tips for communication, tips for interviewing and tips for accommodations, all related to employing people with disability. Please note that the following link will take you to an external web site in a new window:
Workway Employer Training Pack
An employer training pack has been developed by Workway—it can be downloaded for development of an internal training program. The contents of the training pack include:
- a set of presenter’s guidelines
- an accompanying set of powerpoint presentation slides
- a timing overview
- reading appendices and
- approach and methodology.
Please note that the following link will take you to an external web site in a new window:
Increasing mental health awareness
There are several awareness courses that relate specifically to mental health.
Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace e-learning course
Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace courses can give you and your staff a greater understanding of mental illness and how people with mental illness can be supported in the workplace and the wider community. For further information, visit:
beyondblue Depression in the Workplace program
The chief aim of the beyondblue Depression in the Workplace program is to increase awareness and understanding about depression and its appropriate management in a workplace setting.
The programme can be delivered in direct consultation with employers or by using a train the trainer model. The program is specifically tailored to meet the needs of the organisation. For more information about the program, phone (03) 9810 6100 or see our Related Links.
The MoodGYM training program
MoodGYM is an innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent and decrease depressive symptoms. It was consists of five modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment.
MoodGYM teaches the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy, which has been found to be helpful for people with depression. MoodGYM demonstrates the relationship between thoughts and emotions and works through dealing with stress, handling separation and the end of a relationship, as well as relaxation and meditation techniques. See Related Links for more information.
JobAccess
The following guide is available on the JobAccess web site to help you advise staff on disability awareness if you are unable to organise other staff training:
JobAccess Advisers are also able to provide you with information and assistance on disability awareness issues. Contact the JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800 or online: