Disability Services in Australia

 

Central Community College offers services and programs for people with disabilities. These programs and services are designed to support students’ academic and career goals. These programs assist students with disabilities in achieving their goals through reasonable accommodations. This is determined by a counselor/specialist according to educational abilities and functional limitations. Students with disabilities need to provide documentation of their disability and complete a learning disability assessment in order to be eligible for the services they need. The DSS office also works with local school districts in order to provide students with educational accommodations that are tailored to their individual needs.

Unmet need in Australia for disability services

Australia’s unmet disability service needs have been a problem for many years. While governments have made it clear that they will support people with disabilities by funding them, many still find it difficult to help and need more formal assistance. This could be due to a lack of disability support providers melbourne sources or poor coordination. The following article examines this issue and offers suggestions. It addresses the role of government agencies and private sector organisations.

disability services

Although it can be difficult to pinpoint areas of need, it can be helpful to look at a range. Unmet needs vary depending on the type of disability. They can include those who need it now, those who might need them in the future, or those who are similar to those currently receiving services. The Unmet Need for Disability Services Australia may not be met completely, but may be close.

A growing number of people with disabilities is one reason why there is an unmet disability service demand. As the population ages, the need for such assistance increases. One in five Australians are 65 years or older. Nearly two thirds (33%) of Australians in the working age range have some type of disability. 17.1% of people in the working age category use some form of mobility aid. Despite these difficulties, many people with disabilities can still participate in society and are often happy to receive the benefits of this sector.

Central Community College offers programs and services for people with disabilities

The Office of Disability Services offers students with disabilities academic and nonacademic accommodation. These services ensure that students with disabilities have equal access campus facilities, programs, and activities. Students with disabilities are those who have a significant limitation on one or more of their major life activities. The college must make appropriate accommodations. There are many provisions in the ADA that define what constitutes a disability. Examples of these limitations include current substance abuse or a visual impairment that can corrected with prescription lenses.

Accommodations may include assistance with note-taking, such as the use a smart pen or an audio recorder. Students with disabilities may also request a proctor or reader to assist them with their tests. Other accommodations include assistive technology, preferential seating, textbooks in alternate formats, and interpreter services. The college will also provide documentation to assist a higher education professional in determining a student’s disability.

Students with documented disabilities can receive academic counseling, assessment, and registration assistance through the DSS program. The program provides academic assistance, disability-related events, as well as access to public transportation. Students enrolled in the DSS program are provided with a one-to-four staff to student ratio. They also participate in activities and community events that promote disability awareness. The Disability Support Services team will help students, regardless of whether they are pursuing a degree or seeking entry-level employment.

Australia: Funding for Disability Services

Australia should establish a national program to fund services for the disabled. It could be implemented in mid-2014, and it could cover certain regions. This would allow for fine-tuning. The scheme could then be expanded to all regions by 2015-16, and all people by 2018-19. Alternativly, all governments could pool their funds under a long-term plan based on a formula with financial penalties for noncommitments.

The Australian government and the states and territories spend more than $2.3B annually on disability services. There is no guarantee of long-term support so many people are left without essential services. The Commission on Disability estimates the government could invest twice what they currently spend, or $6.5 million per year, if funding for disabilities services was guaranteed to be as high. But what exactly is the government doing to support people with disabilities?

The Australian government has pledged $519million over the last two budgets for support of disability services. This money has not reached all the people who are in greatest need. This is because services are not available in many remote or isolated communities. These communities are often Aboriginal and/or small and remote, which is why services are not provided. By providing funding directly to these communities, the government is aiming to improve access to disability services across Australia.

Author: Jason Foster