Victoria

Southern Higher Education Disability Network (SHEDN)

Victoria and Tasmania have combined to form the Southern Higher Education Disability Network (SHEDN). The network has over 60 members, and has been generously hosted for the past few years by Monash University. Each meeting offers the opportunity for practitioners to share ideas and practice, and often includes a guest speaker. People can come along in person or join by phone. For the past 2 years SHEDN have held a professional development day in December that has drawn from the sector to present on areas of particular interest. In 2015, for example, the day included a guest speaker from APHRA, presentations on learning disability, assistive technology, supporting people with mental health conditions, and making reasonable adjustments. The group is looking to share the hosting into 2016 and beyond, and looks forward to welcoming any new members.

To find out more or to join the network, please contact Michelle Woods, Senior Disability Resources Coordinator, Disability Support Services, Monash University on (03) 9905 5704 or via email michelle.woods@monash.edu

TAFE Disability Network (TDN) - Victoria

The TAFE Disability Network (TDN) is the network of Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) from across the TAFE sector in Victoria. Some members may have different titles and a diverse range of duties but we all see ourselves as peers.

The TAFE Disability Network in Victoria has been active for more than 20 years and since this time has established itself to be the key network for TAFE practitioners in this state.

The number of DLOs within the tertiary education sector both at a state and national level will never be high because of the limited number of TAFE institutes and Universities across Australia. In Victoria, many DLOs work in solo positions and/or in rural settings and can be isolated from colleagues who understand the complex issues related to disability and education.

TDN works in collaboration with similar organisations such as ATEND and SHEDN but remains a district body for and by Victorian TAFE practitioners.

The TDN meets to discuss common concerns, current issues, provides professional development and develop/consolidate links to other networks of professionals in education provision, local and federal government areas and community based organisations.

The role of TDN is in the capacity of peer support for new and existing DLO’s. To this end it is a network for and by DLO’s in the Victorian VET Sector.

https://www.vta.vic.edu.au/networks/tafe-disability-network

Co-Conveners are:

Tracey Stewart, Holmesglen TAFE Tracey.Stewart@holmesglen.edu.au
Baden Cutts, Federation University Australia, (03) 5327 9470 b.cutts@federation.edu.au