Skills Development for Staff

1
Skills Development for Staff

• Trevor Allan
• Head Student Equity Welfare Service
• UWS

2
Skills Development for Staff

• Issues
• Lack of knowledge understanding of
• Disability Legislation obligations
• Reasonable adjustments
• Inherent requirements
• Academic integrity/educational requirements
• Assistive technology
• Study support
• Alternative formats
• Effects of disabilities

3
Skills Development for Staff

• Issues (Cont.)
• Its the same for everyone syndrome
• Someone elses problem
• Tradition (Its the way weve always done it)
• SWD will be given an advantage
• I need to know everything
• If they cant cope, they shouldnt be here
• Over-compensation for the poor victims
• Its too much trouble
• I dont know what to do, but Ill be damned if
  Ill let you tell me!!
• SWD can get anything they want

4
Skills Development for Staff

• Strategies
• Individuals
• Each interaction is an opportunity for education/
  information
• Acknowledge efforts and achievements
• Encourage articulation of concerns and criticisms
  (make sure they are dealt with, though)
• DDA is the last resort, not the first
• Encourage the perception that DLO is a resource
  to assist academics/administrators with THEIR
  students
• Accept that academics can choose to reject your
  advice (Thats a very courageous decision, Prime
  Minister)
• Build on co-operation and success
• Provide resources (e.g. CATS, ADCET)

5
Skills Development for Staff

• Strategies
• General
• Ongoing problem of preaching to the converted or
  an opportunity for a whinge
• Accept that it is an ongoing process no one
  strategy will reach everyone
• Workshops
• Professional development courses
• Special events (Guest Speakers, etc.)
• Legislation training
• CATS

6
Skills Development for Staff

• Strategies
• General (Cont)
• Provide information through
• Websites (FAQs, Staff Information, Information
  sheets, links)
• Staff Handbooks
• Information sheets
• Links (through emails, etc)
• Resources (e.g. Disclosure Resource, Opening all
  Options, CATS, ADCET, etc.)
• Know your stuff

7
Skills Development for Staff

• Discussion?
• Questions?