After a long and important consultation process, GDN management have this week moved away from their proposed plans to significantly change the GDMI Entry Pathways. Specifically, this has included the removal of Option 2 and 3 from their position paper. However, it does remove the current requirement to have three years' experience as an Orientation & Mobility Specialist (O&M) before commencing GDMI training.

The HSU strongly believed the proposed changes outlined in Options 2 and 3 would have devalued the profession of GDMIs and O&Ms and would have compromised the quality and safety of client service delivery.  

As noted in pathway Option 1, an O&M is no longer required to have three years' experience as an O&M before commencing GDMI training.

Nevertheless, your HSU delegates took up the challenge to inform management of the consequences of their decisions and considerations and ultimately stop such change coming into effect.

Your HSU delegates Peter McKenzie, Carole Grayson, Matt Wood, Felicity Gates, and Carolyn Bates advocated passionately to defend the O&M/GDMI profession and the standard of service delivered to clients.  

However, this would not have been achieved without the strong and informed membership at GDN. Many HSU members made submissions and advocated strongly within our professional circles to bring our position across the line. 

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please contact your HSU delegates Pete, Carole, Matt and Felicity, or email your HSU Organiser Thomas Gao at [E-Mail not displayed]. 

Together we represent the majority of the client-facing workforce at GDN, which means we held a strong position at the decision-making table. If you know of a colleague who is not yet a union member, forward them this email and encourage them to join the union online at www.hsu.asn.au/join or by calling 1300 478 679.