Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the report found that for an average person who is out of work and who has a disability, completing a VET qualification increases their likelihood of getting a job from 9% to 29% (in the first year after completion).

Access to training is one of the major barriers for learners with a disability. Technology can overcome this and also provides learning opportunities for the teachers delivering this training.

The Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) has a number of e-learning products and case studies relevant to learners with a disability. See below for a sample, and contact the Framework E-learning Coordinator in your state or territory for further information on e-learning resources suitable for the disabilities sector.

Flexible learning for hearing and vision impaired learners

The Truvision Flexible Learning Toolbox is an online learning environment designed to help blind and vision impaired learners to develop skills and expertise in basic and advanced information processing strategies.

It supports several IT competencies at the Certificate I level, enabling learners to seek full-time employment in positions such as administrative assistants, help desk personnel and data entry operators.

Induction tool for disability services staff

Greenacres Disability Services developed the Disability Support Worker Induction Course to provide the disability sector with timely, easy access to new staff induction training.

The project provided new staff with an e-learning tool that covers many aspects of disability work and is therefore flexible enough to be used by a range of service providers.

The training tool includes video footage of expert panel interviews, text documents, links to online resources, and interactive quizzes.

Supporting Auslan 4 off campus learners

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is traditionally taught face-to-face by highly qualified trainers. As a visual language it cannot be taught or assessed using printed material.

Kangan Batman TAFE's Auslan 4 - DVD for Off Campus Support project used e-learning in the form of visual information provided on a DVD to present and disseminate some of the components of Auslan to current and prospective learners.

The project provided additional flexible delivery opportunities for the following learners:

  • Auslan 4 learners enrolled in traditional on-campus courses
  • parents of deaf children
  • teachers of the deaf
  • rural or remote Auslan learners
  • Victorian Certificate of Education Auslan learners.

The DVD was well received as a tool for consolidating and practising Auslan skills learned in the classroom. E-learning provided flexibility in training as learners could use it at a time which suited them. The resource also provided learners with the capacity to choose which parts of the resource to study.