The National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) program works to:

• Improve transitions for people with a disability or chronic medical condition from their school or community into post-school education, training and subsequent employment
• Increase participation by people with a disability in higher education, vocational education and training and employment
• Establish better links between schools, universities, TAFEs, training providers and disability services providers so that they can work together to provide the best possible assistance for people with a disability.

We work with many groups of people to help us reach these goals. We can help individuals with a disability or chronic medical condition, their families, education and training organisations and professionals, employment services, employers and the community. Our activities include providing information and transition planning assistance, referral and coordination, resource development and training, and awareness raising and promotion.

Transition planning assistance and information for individuals and families

• Provide information about the range of post-school education, training, and employment options, and about how to access these options
• Advise individuals and families about the assistance and services available to support post-school education, training and employment
• Advise individuals about alternative entry pathways into post-school education, training, and employment options
• Provide information to individuals and families at local Post-School Pathways and Careers Expos
• Plan and host forums, activities and events for individuals and families that support transition planning
• Advise the community of current news, information, activities and events in our regions related to post-school education, training and employment
• Provide information to assist individuals make important decisions about disability disclosure

Referral, coordination and enhancing linkages between services

• Refer and link individuals to local support services and help them to access ongoing assistance where necessary
• Help coordinate services and linkages between schools, vocational education providers, higher education providers, and providers of employment services and disability programs
• Work collaboratively with education professionals, employers and the community to identify gaps and barriers in regional services and resources, and work to address these gaps
• Establish or support local networks that promote communication, cooperation and strong linkages between professionals working in schools, vocational education, higher education and employment services
• Establish, maintain, and participate in, cross-sector email lists for professionals that support dissemination of information

• Liaise with community organisations, Government bodies and contribute to policy initiatives where appropriate

Resource development and training

• Develop resources in various formats to assist students and families with transition planning
• Present to school groups, education professionals and employers about key transition planning and participation issues in post-school education, training and employment
• Inform individuals, education professionals and employers of their rights and responsibilities with regard to relevant legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and Disability Standards for Education (2005)
• Develop and distribute resources to education providers and employers that encourage and support effective transition planning
• Offer professional development and training to education providers and employers to help them better support students’ transition planning and participation in post-school education, training and employment

Awareness raising and promotion

• Initiate, and participate in, activities that promote employment of people with a disability or chronic medical condition
• Offer and support disability awareness training activities for education providers, employers and the community
• Promote examples of individuals successfully transitioning to, and participating in, post-school education, training and employmen

• Promote examples of best practice service provision and support for the participation of people with disabilities in post-school education, training and employment

Schools, post-school education and training providers

• Improving awareness and understanding of your responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
• Ensuring appropriate support is provided to students to assist them in their course of study at your education or training institution through building the capacity of your disability support staff.
• Building better linkages with other key organisations within specific regions to ensure that the best possible assistance is available for people with disability.

Employment, disability support and community agencies

• Referring individuals and organisations to support services available through your agency.
• Improving awareness and understanding of your responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
• Ensuring that your agency is appropriately equipped to meet the needs of people with disability.
• Assisting in the development of appropriate services that support people with disability in their search for employment.
• Building better linkages between your agency and other key organisations within specific regions to ensure that the best possible assistance is available for people with disability.

To find out more about the NDCO program or to find NDCO's in other regions and States, you can go to our National Website at www.deewr.gov.au/ndco/

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