Disability Workforce Support Toolkit and Resources

The Disability Workforce Support Project has developed a range of educational resources that are freely available for you to use. You will find links to all of them in a list below. Further resources will be added over time.

We provide training using these resources. Please contact us if you would like to discuss training at your organisation. You can download our training enquiry form here.

You can email training@laurelhouse.org.au or phone 6334 2740.

Click here to watch our educational videos!

Educational video topics:

‘Window of Tolerance‘ explains some of the brain science behind trauma-informed approaches.

‘Take Time to Communicate’ features people living with disability discussing communication issues others have when communicating with them.

‘Hear Me‘ features people with complex communication needs discussing communication issues.

‘Principles of a Trauma-Informed Response’ explains the impact of sexual and some key principles of a trauma-informed response.

Electronic resources: for download and printing

Powerpoint presentations

These can be downloaded and modified for your own use

Prevalence of sexual violence toward people with disability

Risks and strategies to reduce risks to people with disability

Principles of a trauma-informed response


Guides to responding to disclosure

Please note that the Disability Support Worker Guides contain information and advice that is suitable for use by nurses, allied health professionals and others.

Disability Support Worker Guide to Responding to Disclosure from an Adult

Disability Support Worker Guide to Responding to Disclosure from a Child

GP Guide to Responding to Disclosure from an Adult

GP Guide to Responding to Disclosure from a Child

Decision-making Guide

Decision-making Flow Chart

Referral pathways

Referral concerning an adult

Referral concerning historical (childhood) abuse of an adult

Referral concerning a child

Prevalence and impact of sexual violence against people with disability

Fact Sheet: Abuse is Widespread

Fact Sheet: General Practice statistics

Fact sheet: Prevalence Australia

Fact Sheet: Prevalence Tasmania

Fact sheet: Violence is frequent

Myths and facts about sex and disability

Fact sheet: Myths and Facts about Sexual Assault

Fact sheet: Myths about Sex and Disability

Risk Factors and strategies

Fact Sheet : Protective Factors Against Assault

Fact Sheet: Risk Factors for Sexual Assault

Fact Sheet : Risk Factors in a Care Setting

Fact Sheet: Strategies to Reduce Risks

Being trauma-informed

Fact Sheet: Effects of Trauma

The Hand Model of the Brain

Fact sheet: Responding to Disclosure in a Trauma-informed Way

Fact sheet: Self-care and Vicarious Trauma

Fact sheet: Trauma-informed Care

Trauma-proof your practice for people with disability

Communication considerations

See also the communication toolkit and resources provided by ‘Speak Up and Be Safe From Abuse’ (opens in a new window): https://www.speakupandbesafe.com.au/

‘My Communication Profile’ tool (downloads a Word document)

Adapting your communication style for complex communication

Communication Tips – Acquired Brain Injury

Communication Tips – Autism Spectrum

Communication Tips – Intellectual Disability

Communication Tips – Low Hearing or Deaf

Communication Tips -Low Vision or Blind

Communication Tips – Mental Illness Stigma

Communication Tips – Wheelchair User

Fact sheet: Communication Barriers

Fact sheet: Communication Checklist

“Some Things are Hard to Say”

You’ve had a difficult conversation” (Post disclosure information sheet for clients)

Reporting and Evidence

Fact sheet: Forensic Medical Examination

Fact sheet: Reporting Obligations

Fact sheet: Preserving Evidence and Note-taking

Fact sheet: Supporting a Person who is Deciding Whether to Report to Police

Posters

Imagine Yourself . . . Acquired Brain Injury

Imagine Yourself . . . Autism Spectrum

Imagine Yourself . . . Intellectual Disability

Imagine Yourself . . . Low Hearing or Deaf

Imagine Yourself . . . Low Vision or Blind

Imagine Yourself . . . Mental Illness Stigma

Imagine Yourself . . . Wheelchair User

Ten Tactics of Sexual Predators of Adults

Ten Tactics of Sexual Predators of Children

Ten Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe

Links

The Tasmanian Department of Health has a website with information about sexual assault, support services and reporting to Police: Sexual Assault and Family Violence Forensic Services

AIHW Report on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence, 2020

AIHW Report on People with Disability in Australia 2020

Speak Out Advocacy

Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (Victoria)

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)

Women with Disability Australia

Disability Royal Commission

Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)