Synopsis:
How can we build the hopes and aspirations of patients living with or likely to experience disability? We show them a society where people with disability are already making meaningful contributions in the workforce. The Health and Social Assistance industry is Victoria’s largest and fastest growing employing industry, yet people with disability are significantly underrepresented. In this Grand Rounds, Amy Whalley, Jan Davis and Stuart Hunter will discuss how The Royal Children’s Hospital is building confidence and capability to employ talented people who have disability, thus paving the way for young people with disability to reach their full potential in the future.
Speakers:
Amy Whalley is Deputy CEO of the Australian Network on Disability (AND), a member-based organisation that makes it easier for private, public and for-purpose organisations to welcome people with disability as employees and customers. Prior to joining AND, Amy worked for the Westminster Society for People with Learning Disabilities in the UK, where she led a housing and support project for people with intellectual disabilities. When she moved to Australia in 2007, Amy joined Special Olympics Australia where she managed a leadership and mentoring program for athletes with disability.
Jan Davis works at Holmesglen Institute in the Community and Transitional Education Department in the Faculty of Health, Science, Youth and Community Studies. Jan has many years teaching experience in primary, secondary and tertiary schools. Jan was a recipient of a fellowship through the International Specialised Skills Institute in 2016, which afforded her the opportunity to undertake a research project in the London in 2017. During this time Jan investigated Supported Internship programs, a program which she has now successfully piloted in Australia through an industry partnership with RCH during 2018, and again in 2019. The program equips students who have a disability with a broad range of employability skills. Through this managers and supervisors are demonstrating increased confidence in disability awareness.
Stuart Hunter is Head of the Community and Transitional Education Department at Holmesglen Institute. He has seventeen years’ experience in the Vocational Education and Training Sector and has provided educational leadership regarding work preparation programs for young people who require additional support with their learning. Stuart has a Master of Education (Specific Learning Difficulties), a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Post-Compulsory Education and Training) and a Bachelor of Arts. Stuart is a member of the Holmesglen/RCH Project Steering committee.