BOTANY MULTICULTURAL TRAINING CENTRE INC BOTANY SKILLSHARE 1263-1265 Botany Road, MASCOT NSW 2020 DDA - ACTION PLAN INTRODUCTION: The Botany Multicultural Training Centre was established in 1986 with the aim to assist the unemployed youth and other disadvantaged groups residing in the Botany Municipality. In 1989 BMTC became a sponsor of Botany SkillShare. In the early Nineties, the Centre further expanded by sponsoring the Specialist Migrant Placement Officer Program, Botany Job Club and Workplace for Youth. Volume and quality of services has gradually improved. Last year, the BMTC assisted over 1,000 unemployed people from all backgrounds. BMTC is well renown for its expertise and numerous achievements. In 1995, the Centre became a Winner of the Botany Business Excellence Award for Personnel and Employment. The Botany Multicultural Training Centre is funded by the Commonwealth Government's DEET, NSW Government's DTEC and community contributions. Centre is well supported by The Council of Botany as well as local employers. BMTC OBJECTIVES: BMTC was established with three main objectives, which are clearly represented in the Memorandum of Association: 1) To develop and manage projects that assist unemployed people to improve their job skills, their ability to seek, obtain and retain work and their sense of purpose and direction. 2) To raise the awareness of the local community to the problems of unemployment and the needs of disadvantaged groups. 3) To seek support in the community to assist local unemployed people to develop their capacity for obtaining and retaining employment and to become more self reliant during periods of unemployment. SERVICES: BMTC provides a wide range of quality services to the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged people. Our philosophy, reflected in all BMTC policies, is to offer specialised quality services to all in need on an equal, non discriminatory basis. The vast majority of our clientele comprises of migrants from NESB, sole parents, mature workers, unemployed youth and other disadvantaged people including those with disabilities. Services range from needs assessment, individual counselling, structured skills development and enhancement, on-going support/career management, work experience, job placements and post-placement support. On-going liaison and networking with appropriate agencies help the BMTC to achieve its goals. ACTION PLAN - GOAL: The goal of this Action Plan is to equip all BMTC staff with the knowledge and ability to assist people with disabilities more effectively. To ensure full compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (1993) and to ensure that the BMTC premises and courses are accessible to all clients as from February 1996. Implementation of the DDA-related issues and activities will be co-ordinated by our Training Co-ordinator Ms Christine Varvaressos. This Action Plan incorporates recommendations made by the Disability Access Support Unit (DASU) based in Sydney. Findings of Katris and Associates Pty Ltd (Architects), requirements of The Council of Botany and goals specified in the BMTC Implementation Plan of 1995. DDA & BMTC: Whilst client eligibility is determinated by the funding bodies, the Botany Multicultural Training Centre is committed to offer full and equal access for all. BMTC compliance with the DDA is among the priorities of the BMTC Management and staff alike. Issues concerning the DDA and the BMTC responsibilities have been thoroughly researched over the past two years and DASU has been frequently consulted. DDA related training has been provided to Members of the Management Committee, Centre Manager and most of the current staff. Update on important issues will continue. 1) PREMISES: OBJECTIVE: Ensure that the Botany Multicultural Training Centre complies with the DDA re: physical access. The Centre has recently moved from unsuitable premises at Coward Street to a new location at 1263 and 1265 Botany Road, Mascot. The move has been supported and approved by DEET. New premises are situated on a main road, much closer to the CES office and easily accessible from all directions by public transport. The two adjacent buildings are used in conjunction with each other. New premises have been re-built according to the architects' recommendations, the Australian Building Code and Standards 1428.1 - 1993 to provide access and a friendly environment to people with mobility impairments. Whilst full wheelchair access is provided throughout the Training building, the Administration building at 1265 cannot be fully converted. However, the Centre occupancy of two buildings allows for flexibility based on the needs. Provisions have been made that any part of the services offered in the Administrative building (1265) can be relocated to the Training venue (1263). The same applies to staff work environment. Should any disabled member of staff experience any difficulty whilst working in the Admin building, he/she can be easily accommodated to work in the more user friendly and suitable premise. Apart from an existing ramp allowing access to wheelchairs from Botany Road, a new ramp with gradient 1:14 has been built at rear off Botany Lane. Furthermore, a wheelchair drive has been created throughout the building and the existing disabled toilet has been re- built to comply with the requirements of the DDA and the Australian Standards 1428.1 - 1993. BMTC premises offer 10 parking places including the one reserved for the disabled. Disabled parking is immediately adjacent to the ramp leading into the building. Parking is clearly marked and equipped with the disabled sign. Main entrance to the building is equipped with two automatic doors with sensors. All doors have been fitted with lever handles. Electrical switches and power points throughout the Centre are situated within convenient reach from the wheelchair (1 metre height). ACTIONS:  Obtain expert advice re: physical access issues;  Regularly review physical access when changes in relevant standards occur and address the areas of need. 2) SERVICES: HRD IN DISABILITY RELATED TRAINING: Disability awareness is an area of priority in staff development for all Botany Multicultural Training Centre staff. OBJECTIVE: Equip all staff with the knowledge and ability to train and place people with disabilities more effectively. ACTIONS:  Review staff training needs on a half yearly basis;  Develop & promote training programs to meet identified needs;  Evaluate the effectiveness of training for the participants. PERFORMANCE MEASURES:  Staff training plans established in November and May of each SkillShare year;  Promotion of training modules available to all staff through DRI newsletter and other appropriate means;  Development of new training modules where a need is identified;  Effectiveness of training evaluated within one month of delivery. OBJECTIVE: Inform all staff of their responsibilities under the DDA: ACTIONS:  Organise staff training based on the identified needs particularly in relation to SkillShare client services; PERFORMANCE MEASURES:  Current staff to have received information and training on the DDA and their responsibilities by the end of January 1996;  As of February 1996, all new staff to have received information on the DDA and their responsibilities within 2 months of commencement of employment. 3) COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & ACCESS: OBJECTIVE: Ensure that the DDA commitment of the BMTC is well promoted among staff and that services to people with disabilities will be offered in compliance with the DDA and on the equal level as services provided to other clients: ACTIONS:  Develop appropriate documentation and policies which comply with relevant legislation. (eg privacy, HIV).  Communication of Action Plan at staff meetings;  Raising awareness of sponsors, local employers, funding bodies and community re: DDA. PERFORMANCE MEASURES:  Action Plan to be presented to staff general meeting and to the Management Committee Meeting held in February 1996;  Frequently evaluate the Action Plan through consultations with the Management Committee, DASU and expert disability counsellors whilst taking into account feedback from disabled clients; (on-going).  Documents and policies to be developed in compliance with relevant legislation by the end of March 1996;  Specific information re: HIV disclosure to be included in staff induction folder by the end of January 1996. 4) COURSE & SERVICES MODIFICATION: OBJECTIVE: Assist staff to design or modify courses to meet the needs of people with disabilities: ACTIONS:  Seek support, information and expert advice from DASU regarding appropriate modification of training to meet identified client needs;  Seek DASU support, information and cooperation to locate resources and implement effective training programs to meet identified clients needs;  Monitor outcomes of people with disabilities to ensure that training and other services are effective. PERFORMANCE MEASURES:  DASU to provide assistance/advice/special equipment to meet identified client needs within 24 hours of initial contact;  Evaluation letters sent out to all users of adaptive equipment within one month of the completion of training/service;  Outcomes of people with disabilities equal to other SkillShare eligible groups. 5) PROMOTION: OBJECTIVE: Ensure that vocational training and all other Centre employment services are equally accessible to clients with disabilities; to promote full participation of people with disabilities in activities undertaken by the Botany Multicultural Training Centre: ACTIONS:  Inclusion of wheelchair logo and DASU TTY phone number on all fliers and other promotional materials released by the BMTC from January 1996;  Effective communication of Botany SkillShare policy and procedures concerning people with disabilities, verbally and in written form when dealing with public and on all levels;  Staff access to training re: DDA and their direct and immediate access to DASU adviser if and when needed; PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:  Development of fliers & other promotional material by January 1996;  Vocational training according to individual staff needs and incorporation of DASU recommendations into staff policies and induction kit;  Providing all staff with relevant information and DASU contacts. 6) STAFF RECRUITMENT, SELECTION & EMPLOYMENT: OBJECTIVE: Equal Employment Opportunity at BMTC, particularly in relation to staff recruitment and employment: ACTIONS:  Adherence to EEO principles and practices; PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:  EEO to be applied during all stages of employment. (eg. staff recruitment, promotion, selection). 7) FUTURE PLANNING: OBJECTIVE: Ensure that Botany Multicultural Training Centre is able to continue to meet the needs of people with disabilities eligible to access their services in the future: ACTIONS:  Continue improving assessment procedures so that people with disabilities and their barriers to employment can be identified and addressed;  Regularly review the situation and the needs of clients/potential clients with disabilities;  Liaise with the CES staff and other relevant agencies assisting people with disabilities operating in the area;  To raise the awareness of the local community and employers to the problems of unemployed people with disabilities, advocate and lobby on their behalf. PERFORMANCE MEASURES:  Feedback and active participation of people with disability on evaluations re: access and service availability;  Support to disabled clients to be provided in the least restrictive and dignified manner;  Outcomes achieved.