Cuts to NSW TAFE target students with disabilities

Premier Mike Baird’s cuts to funding for NSW TAFE combined with Prime Minister Abbott’s proposed changes to the Disability Support Pension spell tragedy for people living with disabilities in Sydney, according to Shadow Minister for Disability Services Barbara Perry.

While the federal government defends its cuts to the Disability Support Pension scheme by arguing that Australians with disabilities should be encouraged to transition from welfare into employment, the NSW Government is removing opportunities on the critical path to gaining this employment, Minister Perry told City Hub.

“I want both of these governments to understand the irony here is not lost on us,” Minister Perry said.

“The real irony here is that the federal government is wielding a big stick on people with disabilities, telling them they have to get off pensions and get work, all the while the state government is removing TAFE programs that are crucial in assisting people with disabilities in finding work in Sydney.”

NSW Labor leader John Robertson said he is similarly concerned about the combined impact of the state and federal cuts to disability services.

“As Tony Abbott is seeking to cut income assistance for individuals with disabilities, TAFE is even more critical for people with disabilities. They deserve the opportunity to earn a living and support themselves, especially if the federal Liberal government is leaving them behind,” Mr Robertson said.

Graeme Innes, who until last week was Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, echoed concerns that Premier Baird’s cuts to TAFE programs will compound the impact of Prime Minister Abbott’s pension cuts and will result in serious problems for people living with disabilities.

“If the aim is to move people with disabilities off welfare and into work, TAFE programs are the best way to make this transition. To restrict opportunities through TAFE as well as restricting pensions will just add to the disadvantage these people already experience,” Mr Innes said.

TAFE has historically been the best way for people with disabilities to gain the necessary qualifications to move into the workforce, according to Minister Perry.

TAFE institutions offer entry level courses that provide an introduction to higher education appropriate to the needs of students with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Many of these entry level courses are scheduled to be abandoned following the Baird government cuts.

“We know that these entry level courses are the best ways for students with disabilities to gain a diploma and enhance their ability to access employment,” Minister Perry said.

“Students with disabilities are being disproportionately impacted based on the decision to direct the cuts towards lower level courses at TAFE,” Mr Innes said.

These cuts will also impact the services provided by TAFE to support students with disabilities to ensure these students successfully receive their qualification, according to Minister Perry. These support services include scribes, interpreters and assistants for students with both physical and intellectual disabilities.

“The new loading structure for support services for students with disabilities will not be enough to provide these services for an entire course, which is what these students desperately need,” Minister Perry said.

“For example, these reforms will cover $600 for a deaf student at TAFE, which will be enough to pay for an interpreter for a total of three days.”

Mr Robertson also expressed the significance of these cuts to disability support services at TAFE institutions.

“If TAFE cannot offer sufficient note takers, interpreters and other services to make an education accessible, many disabled students will lose their chance at education, and a productive and fulfilling life,” he said.

City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott agreed that TAFE is among the most important opportunities for students with disabilities, particularly in the City of Sydney area as institutions such as Ultimo TAFE are integral to the inner city higher education system.

“My younger sister was born with a disability and is one of the many in our society who has benefited from being able to attend TAFE and received a fantastic education there which has allowed her to develop the skills she required to gain employment,” Cr Scott said.

A spokesperson for TAFE NSW said she was confident students with disabilities would continue to receive support from TAFE institutions.

“No full time disability consultants at TAFE institutes have lost their jobs as part of recent institute changes,” the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Communities also expressed confidence in TAFE’s continued capacity to support students with disabilities.

“TAFE NSW will continue its commitment to supporting students with a disability in the future.”

The budget documents released by Premier Baird and the NSW Government, however, predict a decline in enrolments from students with disabilities as a result of the Smart and Skilled reforms. The budget forecasts a drop of over 2,000 enrolments from 2013 to 2014.