Students with disabilities
- Is the Access and Inclusion Service confidential?
- What's a 'disability' or 'health condition'?
- How do I register the Access and Inclusion Service?
- What is an Access Plan?
- Who do I contact to organise my study program?
- What is special consideration? How could it help me?
- What is a deferred examination?
Is the Access and Inclusion Service confidential?
The Access and Inclusion Service provides a confidential service. Personal information supplied will not be disclosed outside of the Access and Inclusion Service without your permission and no indication of you using the Access and Inclusion Service will appear on your academic record.
No information about your disability or medical condition is passed outside the University without your explicit consent unless there is a legal requirement to do so. Legal obligations to disclose personal information can occur as a result of a Duty of Care or a court Subpoena.
What's a 'disability' or 'health condition'?
The definition of 'disability' in the Disability Discrimination Act is very broad and includes disabilities that are physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory, neurological, and related to learning. These may be permanent, fluctuating or temporary conditions.
Medical conditions may include, among other things, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, kidney disorders, cystic fibrosis, cancer, hepatitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and HIV/AIDS.
Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety also come under the Disability Discrimination Act.
How do I register with the Access and Inclusion Service?
The Access and Inclusion Service requires supporting documentation from your treating practitioner (doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or physiotherapist) to determine eligibility and provide information on the impact on your learning to ensure that appropriate support can be provided. Ask your practitioner to write a letter and bring it to your first appointment with an Access and Inclusion Adviser.
Book an appointment here or call Campus Central toll free 1300 301 703.
What is an Access Plan?
An Access Plan is a document prepared by the Access and Inclusion Service for students with disabilities, mental health or medical conditions. The Access Plan does not contain personal medical information, but outlines the impact of your condition on your studies and some recommended adjustments including exam arrangements. The Access Plan is a tool to negotiate academic adjustments with staff.
The adjustments which are negotiated and the information contained in the Access Plan are based on information provided by the student's treating practitioner.
To arrange an Access Plan you should contact the Access and Inclusion Service.
Who do I contact to organise my study program?
If you are finding it difficult to decide which courses you should enrol in or if you have the necessary prerequisites you should contact your Program Director or school.
What is special consideration? How could it help me?
If you believe your performance in the final exam or assessment item was adversely affected by illness or other unexpected or exceptional circumstances, you may apply for special consideration. Applications are considered by Course Coordinators. For more information contact Campus Central or apply for special consideration via the Application for Secondary Assessment online form from Student Forms. Note that the application must be lodged at Campus Central no later than five (5) working days after the scheduled examination date or deadline for submission of the final assessment.
What is a deferred examination?
A student who, due to exceptional circumstances beyond the student's control, is unable to attend an examination at the prescribed time may apply for a deferred examination. If approved, the student will be permitted to sit an examination in the secondary exam period. For exam timetable dates, see the exams website. For more information contact Campus Central or apply for special consideration via the Application for Secondary Assessment online form from Student Forms. Note that the application must be lodged at Campus Central no later than five (5) working days after the scheduled examination date or deadline for submission of the final assessment.
