what is projectABLE?
projectABLE is a free initiative which introduces students from Years 10, 11 and 12 to careers in the disability and community care sector. Our fun, half-day workshops are delivered by expert trainers who are people living with a disability.
why is projectABLE free?
projectABLE has been developed in response to the massive demand for workers in the disability and community care sector. The program originated in New South Wales with funding from the NSW Government. Based on the success of the program, projectABLE has since expanded to reach other areas of the country with thanks to funding from the Australian Government.
National Disability Services (NDS) have been contracted to run the program.
what school year/age group is the program aimed at?
projectABLE is designed to reach students from Years 10, 11 and 12. If you have a query regarding students from other years or levels, please contact the projectABLE Team to discuss options for your school.
what will students do/learn in the workshops?
Students participate in hands-on activities, group exercises, down-to-earth discussion with people with disability and Q&A with workers in the sector.
Our aim is to build awareness of the disability and community care sector and the potential career paths available.
Students learn:
- Ways to promote positive perceptions of people with disability
- The importance of inclusion and participation for people with disability in the community
- Career opportunities in the disability and community care sector
- Educational opportunities in the disability and community care sector
when and where are projectABLE workshops held?
projectABLE workshops are held at your school. Simply fill in your school’s details on our contact page and our projectABLE Coordinator will be in touch.
Workshop dates and times are subject to presenters’ availability and your school’s accessibility.
how many students can attend?
We require a minimum of twenty (20) students in order to run a workshop. The maximum number of students per workshop is set at forty (40).
what if my group is too small?
How about partnering with neighbouring schools to reach minimum numbers? Joint school workshops are always fun!
what if my group is too large?
Larger groups can be split over two workshops – an AM session and a PM session on the same day, or on two consecutive days.
If you have a larger group (more than 40 students). It is best to contact the projectABLE team to discuss your school’s needs
what about ‘working with children safe guards’?
All facilitators at our workshops hold current Working with Children checks. The workshop’s focus is on group participation and activities and thus there will be no unsupervised working with children in the workshops. Facilitators in the following areas will hold the following checks:
South Australia – Child related employment screening via the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion
New South Wales – Working with Children Check
Australian Capital Territory – Working with Vulnerable People Registration
Victoria– Working with Children Check
Western Australia – Working with Children Check
Tasmania– Working with Children Registration
Queensland– Blue Card issued by The Queensland Government
is this just for students with disability?
This is not a program specifically for students with disability. The projectABLE program is open to all students who are interested in finding out more about career opportunities in the disability sector.
i’ve completed/my students have completed a projectABLE workshop, what’s next?
There are loads of ways to get involved in the sector. Head on over to our resources page to explore your next steps. Here you’ll find links to a fun career quiz, a disability induction program, a list of employers in your area, current job opportunities, the option to sign up for job alerts and loads of valuable career advice and tips.
You can also contact the projectABLE representative in your state or territory if you’d like more information on getting started in the disability and community care sector.
do teachers attend the workshop as well?
Yes! We encourage teachers, career advisers, principals and any other school staff to join in on the day. We guarantee you’ll enjoy it!
There’s also a ton of ways you can link the workshop to curriculum outcomes. Visit our Teachers Resource page to find out more.
who has projectABLE reached so far?
projectABLE launched in 2010 and is intended as a long term, ongoing initiative. More than 8,000 students from over 400 high schools have participated in a projectABLE workshop.
how is projectABLE related to carecareers?
carecareers is the umbrella program that projectABLE sits within. carecareers has been developed to encourage and assist people to explore a career in the disability and community care sector.
carecareers is aimed at adults already in the workforce, and projectABLE is the ‘junior’ program, aimed at reaching students before they enter the workforce. You may have seen our carecareers ads on TV!