Making the Grade The Importance of Education for People with a Disability

1
Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Trevor Allan,
• Disability Liaison Officer,
• Disability Services Unit,
• Student Facilities Building (17 A),
• The Australian National University,
• CANBERRA ACT, 0200
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• TTY 61 2 6125 3008
• Email Trevor.Allan_at_anu.edu.au
• Web http//www.Anu.edu.au/disabilities

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Concept of basic education extended
• Primary School
• Intermediate/School Certificate
• Higher School Certificate
• Post-Secondary qualification (Degree/Diploma)
• If you want a decent job and a good life, get an
  education

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• People with Disabilities
• Importance of education multiplied
• Higher unemployment rates
• Higher level of Welfare dependency
• Lower average incomes
• Lower participation rates in Post-Secondary
  education
• More and higher barriers
• Link between educational qualifications and
  employment outcomes
• Higher education, better employment rate

4
Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Quality of Life
• Increased independence
• Enhanced self esteem
• Improved decision making
• Sense of achievement
• Greater maturity
• More positive outlook

5
Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Economic benefits
• Individual
• Higher standard of living
• Greater economic independence
• Enhanced opportunities for personal development
  (travel, car, computer, house, etc.)

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Economic benefits
• Community
• Reduced welfare payments
• Increased taxation income
• Productivity
• Multiplier effect
• Mark Bagshaw
• 12.5 Billion Welfare
• 46 Billion GDP

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Potential for Improvement
• Participation Rate
• VET 1.9 (96) to 3.1 (01)
• Lower level courses
• More withdraw before completion
• Lower employment outcomes
• Mark Bagshaw
• 360,000 potential extra students

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Potential for Improvement
• Participation Rate
• Higher Education 3.41 (02)
• NSW 3.47
• ACT 4.16
• ANU 5.5

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Potential for Improvement
• Resources/Staffing
• Numbers of students increasing
• Staff/resources static or decreasing
• 99 2003 ANU up 125

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Potential for Improvement
• Better Integration
• Government
• Community
• Education
• Service providers

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Potential for Improvement
• Prepared for study
• Not de facto service providers
• Educational access only
• Assistive Technology skills
• Learning strategies
• Adequate skills from the start of semester

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Potential for Improvement
• Changed attitudes
• Investment in future
• Universal Design principles to
• Policies
• Procedures
• Resources
• funding

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Potential for Improvement
• Work smarter
• Finance AT for individuals move from school to
  employment, further education
• Better funding for disability services
• Recognise specialist, professional skills of staff

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Making the GradeThe Importance of Education
for People with a Disability

• Positives
• Legislation (DDA, State Anti- Discrimination
  Laws
• Education Standards
• Improved access
• Higher participation rates
• Higher success rates