An investigation into international best practice in facilitating the transition of tertiary education students with disabilities into their post-graduate careers

This report describes a model of best practice in Australia designed to facilitate the transition of people with disabilities from tertiary education and training into their postgraduate careers. The report is based on a review of the literature and an investigation of strategies currently being used in both the UK and Australia. Disabled people experience much higher levels of unemployment and underemployment than those of non-disabled citizens and the financial consequences are such that many of them are effectively excluded from full participation in society. The report suggest that this exclusion is manifest in two forms of disadvantage: (1) people with disabilities are up to three times more likely to be unemployed; and (2) they are more likely to be in ‘poorly paid, low-skilled low status jobs which are both unrewarding and undemanding’. This disadvantage is compounded by the increasing disappearance of these kinds of jobs within the new and highly competitive economies. While evidence suggests that tertiary education and training does indeed improve access to employment, tertiary graduates with disabilities continue to experience lower levels of employment than their non-disabled peers. The report is based on an investigation of the reasons why graduates with disabilities are not achieving employment rates comparable to their peers. It suggests proven, practical strategies for addressing such issues. The findings of the investigation were used to develop a model of effective policy and practice across three levels of the Australian graduate careers sector; (1) public policy; (2) cross sectoral networking and collaboration; and (3) graduate career advisory service delivery. Show less