Australia — A
pilot study to improve the assessment of the work
abilities of people with a disability, to commence in
April 2005, was announced today by the Minister for
Workforce Participation, Peter Dutton.
Speaking at the Economic and
Social Outlook Conference - Sustaining Prosperity:
New Reform Opportunities for Australia in Melbourne,
the Minister said the pilot study would look at ways to
streamline and consolidate the assessment process and to
link people with disabilities into effective
rehabilitation and jobs assistance programs
earlier.
“We’ve been talking to
people around the country and people with disabilities
have said they want to be seen first and foremost for
their ability to participate and contribute in employment
rather than their disability. They want the focus to be
on what they ‘can do’ rather than what they
‘can’t do’. No one has ever said they want
to live on the pension alone and the vast majority of
people with disabilities are keen to work where they have
a capacity to work” the Minister said.
“Current assessment processes
mean many people are not being connected with available
rehabilitation and jobs assistance early enough. For
many, this sense of being left alone is a source of
frustration and despair rather than a pathway towards a
more positive and optimistic future.”
The ‘Early Intervention and
Engagement Pilot’, which will be conducted over
coming months, will ensure those people with a disability
claiming income support, or those on the DSP who wish to
seek work, are referred quickly for a comprehensive work
capacity assessment and then referred directly to an
appropriate rehabilitation or jobs assistance
program.
It will examine ways to streamline
the assessment process, ensure that people are encouraged
to have faith in their ability to work – even part
time, and ensure all service providers are working
together for the benefit of the job seeker.
The pilot will be conducted across
three states – Queensland, Victoria and Western
Australia, and involve 1000 people with disabilities.
Four organisations - Health Services Australia,
Advanced Personnel Management, CRS
Australia and Centrelink will undertake the
comprehensive work assessment and refer directly to local
rehabilitation and employment assistance providers, such
as Open Employment Services or the Job
Network.
“I want people with
disabilities to be given encouragement, practical support
and hope rather than be told the pension is the only
option. This pilot study is a further step towards
achieving this goal and I look forward to hearing of the
difference such an approach will make to lives of people
with a disability” the Minister said.
