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I commenced my employment
history as an Assistant Personnel / Welfare
Officer working in a Sheltered Workshop,
whilst putting myself through my Bachelor
of Arts. I was involved in a wide range
of human resource activities including recruitment,
legal representation and dealing with disciplinary
issues. I also undertook some welfare duties
including handling DSS, CES and accommodation
enquiries.
During my second degree
(Bachelor of Psychology) and after, I was
engaged as a research assistant and tutor
in Research Methodology. I then attempted
to find work in the Rehabilitation Counselling
field. Frustrated by lack of opportunities,
I went to work in the United Kingdom as
a Data Processing Manager for an Electronics
Company. This job involved installing an
IBM computer accounting system and staff
training.
When my contract expired
I started my own computer trouble-shooting
consultancy, until I secured the job with
the Papworth Trust (Psychologist / Evaluator).
I was responsible for establishing a commercially
orientated Assessment and Development Centre,
providing vocational assessment and guidance,
mostly to people with disabilities. I was
involved in recruitment and management liaison.
Concurrently with this position, I pioneered
the Trusts involvement in international
Rehabilitation Engineering research, becoming
Project Manager for a number of EEC TIDE
projects. This resulted in the development
of integrated robotic work-stations designed
to assist severely physically disabled individuals
access employment opportunities. I travelled
to the USA, Canada, Holland & Sweden
to attend and present at international conferences.
A large emphasis of this work involved developing
policy for the implementation and design
of such equipment.
I returned permanently
to Western Australia, after being married,
early in 1994. I started my own consultancy
and training business, 'Ability Awareness',
through which I developed and ran Disability
Awareness and Employing on Ability Seminars
to service providers, and conducted specialist
personal development 'Focus on Ability'
courses for people with disabilities.
I felt my own Cerebral Palsy provided my
with a unique insight into these issues.
As Disability Services
Officer, I performed two key roles: i) supporting
the Disability Access Advisory Committee;
and ii) ensuring Council’s information,
policies and practices were in line with
the DSA and DDA. I also coordinated and
developed the City of Canning’s Disability
Services Plan and DDA Action Plan. The City
received acclaim for its disability policies
and practices that I assisted implementing,
including the Prime Minister’s Employer
of the Year Award 1996.
Due to my interest and
knowledge in the area of access for people
with disabilities, I have been involved
in National and State based advisory forums,
particularly those developing at Disability
Discrimination Standards. I have consulted
significantly with corporate bodies, non-government
organisations and government funded training
providers on DDA Action Plans and DSA Service
Plans.
In my initial role with the Ministry of
the Premier & Cabinet, I developed a
strategic approach to promoting employment
opportunities for people with disabilities,
including a supportive policy framework
within the WA Public Sector. I supported
the Disability Employment Advisory Committee.
My role then changed to a Senior Project
Officer responsible for project / contract
managing the ‘Jobs Online’ information
technology system (http://jobsonline.mpc.gov.au/cgi-bin/jobsonline.pl),
which I conceptualised, then implemented
and monitored. I managed the strategic alliance
between key stakeholders of this project.
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