Disability Unit Services

Welcome to the Disability Liaison Unit

The role of the Disability Liaison Unit is to support the development of a learning and working environment that enables full participation in University life by students and staff with a disability. The Unit employs Disability Liaison Officers whose role it is to:

provide tailored services to meet the individual needs of students and staff with a disability
participate in policy development in relation to the University's obligations under anti discrimination legislation
undertake community awareness raising activities about disability and access issues

The Disability Liaison Officers provide services to students and staff with disabilities within the Equity framework of the University and in accordance with its established policies and disability action planning.

To find out more about Equity and Equal Opportunity click here.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The Disability Liaison Officers work with students with disabilities to tailor service provision to their individual needs. The range of support services provided include:

assistance with application and/or enrolment procedures
orientation to campus
assistance with access requirements
provision of adaptive study materials and equipment
provision of direct learning support
negotiating alternative learning and assessment tasks
provision of information and support to other University staff
negotiating alternative arrangements for examinations
information about and referral to community support services
information and advocacy about disability discrimination and equal opportunity

Services for students are provided according to the University's Charter for Students With a Disability. The Charter details the rights and responsibilities of students and the University as follows:

You can expect us to...

support you with the availability of the Disability Liaison Officers
respect your right to services, facilities and equipment which enable full and independent participation at University
ensure access to academic programs for people with disabilities who meet the criteria for admission
develop and maintain a campus environment that is safe and provides the same ease of access for all students
develop and offer an inclusive curriculum
modify or substitute learning tasks and assessment to meet the needs of students with disabilities, without compromising academic standards
respect the right of students to privacy and confidentiality of information
provide equipment and facilities which prevent or overcome barriers to participation in University activities
develop and/or maintain policies and systems within Schools, Branches and other areas of the University that are inclusive or and responsive to the needs of students with disabilities
provide the opportunity for students to seek redress if they feel that the accommodations or support provided are not satisfactory or if they feel they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability

We expect you to...

disclose on your enrolment form if you have a disability and may require support
register with the Disability Liaison Officer at the time of acquiring a disability if you are likely to require support
specify which people you give permission to have access to information about your disability
provide documentation from a medical or other health or educational professional confirming you have a disability and require accommodations to be made
with as much advance notice as possible, provide information to assist assessment of and support for your disability, either to the DLO or to a relevant School staff member
if registered for disability study suppport, provide a copy of relevant timetable information and, if appropriate, a full subject guide prior to the commencement of support
if registered with a DLO, keep them informed of any changes to your contact and study details
give advance notice to your support worker or the DLO if you will be late or unable to attend an appointment
show consideration and respect towards access and support staff and, where necessary, explain clearly personal needs and preferences, eg. abbreviation to be used, layout of notes, or attendant care techniques
understand that if you consistently miss support appointments, support may be withdrawn until renegotiated and formalised in a written support agreement

Services for Staff with Disabilities

The Disability Liaison Officers are available to consult with staff with disabilities on a range of issues, including:

appropriate workplace accommodations
inherent requirements of the job
access and mobility requirements and modifications
information about and referral to community support services
information and advocacy about disability discrimination and equal opportunity