news
in the
news
projectABLE
boosting career
options for
school students
A
n interactive workshop
program is inspiring
high school students
to consider a career in the
disability sector.
projectABLE is led by people with
disability, visiting students from Years
10, 11 and 12 in schools all around
Australia, and it’s achieving some
great results – including 80 per cent
of students saying they feel inspired
to think about a career in disability
after completing a workshop.
NDS Student Programs Manager
disability. Our presenters talk honestly
and openly about their disability and
are chosen for their ability to connect
Jillian Black said the program had with students. It is this connection,
completed the workshops held in received outstanding feedback and coupled with honesty and humour,
schools around the country from acknowledged social impact. that enables students to learn about
More than 7,500 students have
Whyalla, South Australia, to Gosford,
New South Wales.
Surveys of the program have
shown:
“projectABLE is a response to the
living with disability, the importance
workforce shortage in the disability of social inclusion and what they can
sector. There’s an anticipated 70,000 do to make a difference.”
new jobs that will be created in
Mrs Black said there is a huge
the disability care sector by 2019 variety of career options in the
one or more students now working in as a result of the full rollout of disability and community care
the disability sector. the National Disability Insurance sector for young people about to
Scheme,” Mrs Black said. embark on their working lives – from
• 18 per cent of teachers know of
• 45 per cent of teachers have
had one or more students go on to
“The program inspires students
support workers and nurses, to social
do something related to disability to apply their passions, skills and workers and advocates, marketing
advocacy, such as volunteering, abilities to enrich their lives and professionals to business managers,
community work or related study. the lives of others by pursuing a and so much more.
• 79 per cent of teachers believe
their students were inspired to
consider a care career after attending
a workshop.
06
projectABLE was developed by
National Disability Service (NDS).
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rewarding career in the disability and
community service sectors.
“The half-day workshops are free
for schools and are led by people with
“Our aim is to build awareness
of the disability and community care
sector and the potential career paths
available,” Mrs Black said.
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