Australian Network on Disability

Deadline for organisations participating in Stepping into... 2010 has been extended to 22nd February 2010.

If you have not yet confirmed your organisation's participation, including preferred disciplines and locations, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss out.

Stepping into... is a paid internship program designed specifically for university students with disability.  The program provides a “step into” practical work experience for students with disability who may otherwise face significant barriers to finding employment.

 The program is one of mutual benefit:

Participating organisations benefit by identifying, gaining greater awareness of, and eliminating, some of the barriers faced by people with disability within their organisation, as well as by breaking down many of the myths and stereotypes that are often associated with people with disability in the workplace;

Students benefit significantly through gaining experience of the job application and interview process, developing a network of contacts within a professional organisation, and gaining valuable hands-on work experience which they can include on their resumes, and having the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge.

 THE PROGRAM

Stepping into... runs for four weeks in either the summer or winter university semester breaks.  
Due to the nature of some disabilities, some students may require a longer period, with fewer days worked each week, however the total hours worked should equate to four weeks full time (152 hrs).

HOW DOES THE PROJECT WORK?  ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES??

Employers Network:

-    Secures involvement of participating organisations;
-    Liaises with universities to distribute information directly to eligible students;
-    Provides further information to interested applicants, encourages applications;
-    Evaluates student applications, assesses eligibility, distributes applications to participating firms, depending on areas of interest / relevance;
-    Conducts access reviews and disability awareness training where appropriate within participating organisations;
-    Conducts student briefings for all successful students (all cities);
-    Liaises with students and organisations to implement reasonable adjustments when and if required;
-    Maintains regular contact with students and organisations during the program;
-    Conducts evaluation survey upon completion of program.

Participating organisation:

-    Confirms involvement in the program, including the number of students preferred, what time of year would be most suitable, and the work areas that will be involved;
-    Designs four week (or equivalent) work plan, including clear objectives and outcomes;
-    Receives completed and vetted applications from Employers Network;
-    Contacts student(s) to schedule interviews;
-    Conducts selection interviews
-    Notifies Employers Network of who they have interviewed & who has been successful;
-    Notifies all students of the outcome of the interviews, agrees start date with successful student(s);
-    Liaises with successful student to determine and implement any required reasonable adjustments;
-    Arranges for the student to be paid for the four week period (salary should be commensurate with other graduate positions);
-    Evaluates student’s work (each week and at the end of the program);
-    Completes Employers Network evaluation survey at end of program.

University:

-    Distributes information from the Employers Network to eligible students, through the Disability Liaison Officers, Careers Offices and Faculty staff.

Student:

-    Sends completed application to the Employers Network;
-    Attends interviews as requested with participating organisations;
-    If successful in gaining a position, liaises with organisation to confirm any reasonable adjustments required, attends student briefing;
-    Adheres to structured work plan as agreed by organisation;
-    Completes Employers Network evaluation survey at end of program.

Testimonials - previous participating organisations:  

“The Stepping into... program has been a very enriching process for our organisation to be involved in. So far we have interviewed fifteen candidates who all impressed our interview panel with their personalities, skills and experience.  We see the Stepping into... program as genuinely strengthening our internal diversity objectives, and it contributes significantly to our graduate program as well.  We have 10 candidates starting in the next quarter and have encouraged them to apply to our graduate program as well.”  

“Our candidate brought a really fresh way of thinking to the firm… he looked at problems from new angles and was very solution focused.  He had an excellent level of legal knowledge and understanding, and was a very engaging personality to have in the team... We would like to offer him an ongoing role in the firm.”

For more information, please contact the Australian Network on Disability on 1300 363 645