HI all,
Earlier this year the Federal
Government commissioned the Senate to complete an enquiry into the Design, scope, cost-benefit analysis, contracts awarded and
implementation associated with the Better Management of the Social Welfare
System initiative . The less confusing version is: "CentreLink and the
experiences of people during the so-called 'robo-debt' collection.”
My submission is at http://www.aph.gov.au/…/Com…/SocialWelfareSystem/Submissions No. 116.
It was great to read so many
organisations highlighted the needs of the many vulnerable people in the
community who have lots of difficulty in accessing numerical and financial
information, or even knowing what are their Rights.
I was invited to present to the Senate
enquiry in person (teleconference). On Thursday 27 April, 2017, I presented to
the Australian Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs regarding my
submission, access and information at CentreLink, both low adult literacy and
also low computer literacy in our community.
The
Hansard recording of my hearing presentation is here. Look under Launceston 27 April, 2017.
The
Advocate" http://www.theadvocate.com.au/…/…/centrelink-english-learnt/ and "The Examiner" http://www.examiner.com.au/…/462…/centrelink-english-learnt/ also reported on my presentation, as
well as other presentations from the Launceston hearing, including mentioning
my evidence.
I
included some information on numerical literacy in my submission. In my
presentation I focused more specifically on the breadth and extent of low
literacy skills in our community, and also the lack of computer literacy (and
access to the hardware/internet) in the community, required to access
CentreLink.
I
could have also discussed the huge percent of adults with low Numerical
Literacy in our community, but there is only so much you can emphasize in a 35
minute conversation. The import of my message was heard.
Another
submission used the term "CentreLink English" to describe how
difficult it is to read and understand information from CentreLink. I was asked
about whether I had heard this term before! No, but just imagine you walk into
a new job. Everyone uses acronyms, phrases and words that are familiar to them,
but completely unfamiliar to you, the outsider. Yes, that is what CentreLink
English is like.
The report from this enquiry is due out in early June 2017.
Next: is to hear what will happen for change.
What will the recommendations be? I will keep you posted.
Next: is to hear what will happen for change.
What will the recommendations be? I will keep you posted.
I am here to help you
develop and build awareness of the need for government documents to be
accessible for people with non functional literacy. I am advertising a 2 day
training “Learn to write Easy English” for June 19 & 20 in Melbourne. Flyer and booking links or contact me using any of the methods below.
Cathy Basterfield
Access Easy English
0466 579 855
Facebook: /accesseasyenglish
Twitter: @accesseasyengl@accessseasyengli
