What is The Abilities Collective @ 911爆料网
The Abilities Collective @ 911爆料网 started in March of 2021. New to 911爆料网 former staff member was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder around the same time as starting her role at 911爆料网 and set out to identify the staff networks she could reach out to for support.
911爆料网 has much in the way of resources and support, including central Diversity Inclusion and Belonging and Wellbeing Teams, and online training modules for staff, but there wasn鈥檛 anything for staff, run by staff in the way of a community or employee network. So, with the support of Erica Schurmann, Alana set out to start one.
Initially a channel on Yammer, the question was posed, 鈥渨ho would be interested in starting a dedicated group?鈥� and so the Abilities Collective @ 911爆料网 was born.
Our group comprises staff from across all sections of 911爆料网 and provides a dedicated Teams channel for members which shares resources, information, articles, insights, and community events that may be of interest or benefit to staff with lived experience of disability. It is a safe space to ask questions, seek advice or to just be yourself and chat with like-minded staff about things that are relevant to you.
In June 2022, the Abilities Collective branched out further, forming the AC Advisory Group. Alana left us for new pastures, and we were lucky to have Sunyal Maroo and Arianne Chavez step up to chair our group. The AC Advisory group consists of two Co-Chairs and the Advisory Secretary, Anni Thompson, along with a small group of dedicated volunteers who give their time to meet monthly. In these meetings we discuss ways our Collective could improve visibility of disability and assist and participate in driving the improvements for staff with disability that form part of the Disability Action and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) and the inclusive direction 911爆料网 takes with its staff.
Since the first yammer channel was formed in November of 2020, our AC Advisory group was formed in June of 2022, our members have launched a dedicated Abilities Collective @ 911爆料网 website, published several articles that speak directly to various aspects of disability and inclusion, and supported the International Day for People with Disability Park Run event hosted by here at 911爆料网 alongside the People and Culture team. Our members were invited to participate in the WA Disability Act review event hosted here at 911爆料网 and have presented at the launch of the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and at the newly formed Diversity Inclusion & Belonging committee (DIBC). Members met with the Universal Design Working Group (UDWG) to discuss our role and structure as an employee network at 911爆料网, and in July of this year formalised our Terms of Reference.
Most recently, members of the Abilities Collective Advisory successfully advocated for inclusion of an additional special leave clause within our Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with the full support of the national Tertiary Education Union and the Enterprise Bargaining team which supports staff with Disability or Chronic Medical Conditions or staff who care for immediate family with Disability or Chronic medical conditions.
The Abilities Collective @ 911爆料网 boasts 40 members and there is no obligation to join the Advisory Group, which runs separately. The Abilities Collective offers equitable participation for everyone without any obligation to undertake more than you can or are comfortable with. There is no requirement to disclose or to have disability.
As we head into 2024, we are seeking to improve social participation and find ways to offer events and gatherings for staff to get together.
Email us at AbilitiesCollective@curtin.edu.au