The University of Canberra is committed to developing the independence of people with disabilities in the wider community through full and equitable participation in higher education.

Within this context the University will continue and extend its efforts to:

Foster and encourage among its staff and student positive, informed and unprejudiced attitudes towards persons with disabilities.

1. Provide educational facilities and services, which minimise handicap insofar as resources reasonably permit.
2. Take positive steps to encourage people to seek admission to the University regardless of their disability.  Applicants with disabilities will be assessed by giving due consideration to any educational disadvantage, which prevents them from satisfying the usual tertiary entry requirements.
3. Will base student progress through courses on academic performance.  Nevertheless, adaptations to teaching strategies and methods of assessment will be provided.  Such adaptations will not compromise the essential content of a course or the requirement to demonstrate essential skill or knowledge.

Guidelines

When assessing the allocation of support services or resources for students with disabilities, the Guidelines on Disability Support should be referred to.  The criteria to be used will be:

1. The needs of the student;
2. Evidence that new and existing students have an expectation of success in the course if 'reasonable adjustment' in the form of additional resources and services is made;
3. Evidence that the student is attending appropriate classes where these are provided;
4. Availability of external sources of funds, eg DHSH, DETYA, rehabilitation agencies and insurance companies;
5. Availability of University resources;
6. The hours of attendance of the student in the course;
7. Continuing students are making reasonable progress through the course.

While the University takes the needs of students with disabilities seriously, it is not able to guarantee that all additional services or resources requested by the student to complete the course of choice can be provided.

These guidelines were approved by Equal Opportunity Committee in 1996.

See also:

Disability Action Plan 2005-2005

Student Equity Plan 2002 - 2004