The Disability at Work and Workability International Virtual Conference will be held on 13 October 2020.

The Conference program includes presentations on a range of topics reflecting the consequences of recent unprecedented events on various employment models worldwide. The virtual format will enable extensive direct input from conference delegates while also allowing opportunities to view all presentations on demand until 12 November 2020.

Concurrent streams will examine transition to work/open employment and supported employment, while a third stream will include presentations from overseas. Content will include:

• Utilising technology and digital platforms to ease employment barriers and allow people with disability to transition into mainstream employment
• Innovative application of digital technology in supported employment
• Marketing and promotions for supported employers in uncertain times
• Micro businesses for people with disability
• Development of online training modules for employees with disability
• Innovative marketing campaigns that provide employers with insight and tools that enhance their perceptions about employing people with disability
• Facilitating work experiences for youth in transition from school to work
• Concepts, strategies and action steps that enable partnering with families to understand the youth transition journey to employment
• The ongoing evolution of the supported employment model
• Addressing the digital skills gap for jobseekers with disability

Senator Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services, will deliver an address on how the Government will support people with disability and employment service providers in these extraordinary times. George Sotiropolous of DSS will examine implementation of the NDIS Participant Employment Strategy in a post-COVID-19 environment.

Jerry Davis, President of Workability International, will present on the variety of solutions to recent adverse events pursued by Workability International members around the world.

Panels comprised of local and overseas practitioners will examine:

• How can people with disability be assisted to gain employment in a global labour market reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic?
• How can mainstream employment opportunities for people with severe disability be increased; and what is the role of providers of supported employment in the provision of ongoing employment support for this cohort?

The International Labour Organisation’s Senior Disability Specialist, Esteban Tromel, will deliver an evening plenary presentation on examples of global best practice that deliver employment opportunities for people with disability that utilise technology and which respond to the labour market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration funding for people with disability

NDS has received funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services to assist people with disability (together with their carer) to attend the conference. Expression of interests can be lodged via the conference website until 18 September 2020.

View the draft Conference program and register for the Conference now! Early Bird registrations close 5pm Friday, 11 September 2020.