Working in the Department with Disability

DSS promotes an accessible and inclusive working environment for people with disability. As a department we recognise that employees with disability have talents, skills and qualifications they can bring to the organisation.

We believe these attributes and having a 'Disability Confidence' helps us shape results, business outputs and customer service.

Senior Level Disability Champion

The role of Senior Level Disability Champion involves:

  • championing the interests of employees with disability within the Executive and Senior Leadership Group
  • representing the Department at the cross APS Disability Champion meetings
  • presenting at internal events on inclusion of people with disability, such as International Day for People with Disability
  • engaging with, and attending meetings of the DSS Staff with Disability National Committee
  • attending Disability Champion Events such as Champion breakfasts facilitated by the Australian Network on Disability (AND)
  • participating in the DSS Disability Leadership group.

Support of people with disability

DSS is committed to assisting people with disability in the workplace to reach full potential by providing a range of services, support groups and awareness programs. The Disability Workforce Action Plan 2015-18 (DWAP) sets out initiatives to position DSS as a workplace of choice for people with disability. Examples of support we provide to prospective and current staff with disability include:

  • a dedicated Disability Access Coordinator to assist with complex reasonable adjustment requests
  • dedicated centralised funds to cover reasonable adjustment costs for assistive technology and other workplace requirements
  • participation in RecruitAbility for vacancies
  • providing flexible work arrangements
  • supporting a Staff with Disability National Committee and Network
  • Secretary representation on the Australian Public Service (APS) Secretaries Board
  • representation on the APS Diversity Council Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Accessibility Roundtable.hearing loops, interpreting and captioning services
  • an employee Mental Health Portal
  • coordination of disability awareness and mental health awareness raising activities, participation in the Australian Network on Disability (AND) – ACT Disability Special Interest Group
  • Workplace Adjustment Passport option for employees with disability in the department
  • recognising employees who have made a significant contribution to disability issues in the department by the presentation of a People with Disability Award Scheme.

For further information please email DiversityandInclusion@dss.gov.au

Image of the Australian Network on Disability Gold membership logo.

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