Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register with UC AccessAbility?

Call the front desk on (02) 6201 5233 and make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor. You will need to bring some medical documentation with you. Appointments usually take no more than half an hour. 

What sort of Medical Documentation do I bring when I register?

You need to bring a statement from a Medical Practitioner or Professional (i.e. Speech Therapist, Psychologist) stating what your disability is and suggested ways in which we may assist you within your studies. This makes it easier for you and us to determine what provisions to put in place, which will assist you. 

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What do I do about Exam Modifications?

UC AccessAbility has changed the process for exam modifications. In week 8 or 9 of Semester 1 & 2, (or Week 4 of Winter Term), UC AccessAbility will email registered students a letter about exam modifications and an Application for Modifications form will be attached. Read this letter carefully and return the form to us before the nominated due date. Students with mobile phones registered with Student Administration will also receive a reminder SMS to ensure that you submit your Application form. If you do not receive an email or an SMS from UC AccessAbility and you have upcoming exams, please make an appointment to register with UC AccessAbility or to discuss your modifications with the Disability Advisor.

The Application for Modifications form now only needs to be completed once, and your exam modifications will be submitted to the Exams Office. The Exams Office will then facilitate your supports on an ongoing basis. If you feel that you require a change in your modifications, please make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor and ensure that you supply up-dated Medical Documentation in support of your requirements.

I have not had confirmation from UC AccessAbility that my Exam Modifications have been organised

Once you have handed in your form, you do not need to contact our office again, if there are any difficulties we will contact you. The Exam Office will contact you via your student email account to inform you of details relating to your exam including room allocation. If you do not receive this email, please contact the Exams Office at exams@canberra.edu.au or phone (02) 6201 2266. Remember, exams with UC AccessAbility start at 8:30am for morning exams and 1:30pm for afternoon exams. If any of your exam details change after you have submitted the form, please come and tell us and we will match this to our records. Be mindful to get to your exam 15mins early, so you are as ready as you can be. 

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I am sick on the day of my exam, what should I do?

You need to make sure you have a medical certificate from a health practitioner stating that you are unwell on the date of the examination. You can then apply for a deferred exam through the student centre. You should also contact UC AccessAbility on (02) 6201 5233 and let us know you will not be attending your exam as you are unwell. We can also assist you with the deferred exam application. 

When will I be able to sit my exam if I am sick?

Deferred Examinations are arranged at nominated dates set by the examinations office. You should check with the student centre to confirm dates and other details. 

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I have moved house since my last contact with UC AccessAbility. Do I need to tell you as well as Student Admin?

YES! Student Admin have no record that you are registered with UC AccessAbility and therefore if you tell them your new address we will not receive this information. Just pop into our office and leave us your new address and we will make sure we update your record. 

I have a note-taker for my lectures and I am not going to be able to attend for a couple of weeks, do I need to let UC AccessAbility know?

YES! If you are sick, receiving medical treatment or are away because of study commitments off campus we need to know. If your note-taker informs us that you have not been attending and we don't know why, we may stop giving you a note-taker. If you provide us with information about how long you are away, we can ensure that your note-taker still takes notes for you and we will store them at our office for you to collect when you return. 

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I need an extension for my assignment, what should I do?

Talk to your lecturer and ask them if you can have an extension (they will usually give you up to one week), if you do not feel comfortable doing this or you are away from campus due to illness etc, come into our office front desk and ask to fill in a Request for Extension form. A Disability Advisor will provide you with a letter to take to your lecturer supporting an extension request. Please Note: Requests for extensions need to be made at least 3 days prior to the due date. This will allow time to pass the request on to Academic staff for consideration and confirmation to be received. If you apply later it may not be possible to make the requested modification.  

The teaching staff have asked me for details of my disability, do I need to tell them?

You are under no obligation to disclose information about your disability unless you feel comfortable doing so. It can be helpful to tell the teaching staff you are registered with UC AccessAbility and may need assistance from time to time. This will ensure that teaching staff are aware of your needs and will accommodate you accordingly.
For more information about disclosure see: www.uws.edu.au/rdlo/disclosure 

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I have an In-Class exam for one of my subjects, what should I do about my exam modifications?

Let the Disability Advisor know in advance (a minimum of one working week) that you have an In-Class exam and include the following details: 

  • who your Lecturer is
  • what the Subject is
  • date and time of the exam

The Disability Advisor will contact your lecturer and let them know your modifications. During semester it is your lecturers' responsibility to accommodate your In-Class exam modifications. After you have informed the Disability Advisor and they have sent the email, go and see your lecturer to formalize details of when and where your exam will be. 

I would like access to the UC AccessAbility Assistive Technology Room. How do I go about getting this?


Every student registered with UC AccessAbility has access to the Assistive Technology room. You must place your student card over the swipe pad located outside the door to gain entry. If your card declines access please come in and see us to ensure access is granted. 

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I have access to the Assistive Technology Room, but every time I want to use it, the machines are taken. How can I ensure that I will be able to use the computer when I need it?

You need to make sure you book a time that suits you using the PC Lab booking folder at the front desk. Remember, you can only book for 2 hours at a time. In order to protect your health we require that you take at least a 30 minute break every 2 hours. You may them rebook for another 2 hours. We encourage you to leave the lab for your 30 minute break, get some exercise, fresh air and/or a cup of coffee and relax your muscles. 

NOTE: Students utililising assistive technology will have priority of access regarding the 2 bookable PC's in the lab. Please ensure you do not book these machines regularly if you are not a student utilising the assitive technology. 

I am having trouble accessing a building, which I have lectures and tutorials in. What should I do?

Make an appointment to see the Disability Advisor to discuss your concerns and negotiate a change of room. For more information about access on campus, check out our access page. 

I need alternative formats for lecture/tutorial material. How do I go about getting this?

You need to contact UC AccessAbility at least 4 weeks prior to the beginning of semester to arrange alternative formats (which include things like converting textbooks to e-format or having lecture notes scanned in preparation for the semester). This allows us sufficient time to organise this for you. It is your responsibility to purchase any subject material required and find out from your Academic Staff what other resources you may need to complete subjects. 

If you are unable to provide materials in advance, we cannot guarantee you will have materials available to you in preparation for the beginning of the semester. 

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