PRINCIPLES

1. The Australian National University strongly supports the right of people with disabilities to be involved in higher education.

2. The University will foster and encourage among its staff and students positive, informed and unprejudiced attitudes towards people with disabilities and shall make provision, insofar as resources may reasonably permit, for any service needed by or for people with impairments.

3. The University will take positive steps to encourage people to seek admission to the University regardless of impairment or disability and shall apply the principle of reasonable adjustment in providing access to any benefit provided by the University equivalent to its staff and students who do not have a disability.

4. The University recognises the right of students with disabilities to have reasonable adjustments made to academic polices, procedures and practices to address the effects of their disabilities.

5. The University acknowledges that information related to a persons disability provided to the university is personal and private, and will respect the confidentiality of all such information.

PROCEDURES

Disclosure and Assessment

1. Students who have an illness or disability and who require the University to adjust a process, policy or procedure or wish the University to provide equipment or other physical aids must disclose the nature and extent of the illness or disability ("the disability") to the University.

2. The University will assess the nature and extent of the disability. To enable a full and proper assessment the University may require the student to provide opinions from medical experts that describe the nature of the disability and address the extent to which that disability may impair the students ability to undertake their studies at the University. The University may seek its own medical advice if the medical information provided by the student is not satisfactory.

3. The University has established the Disability Services Unit to provide support to students with disabilities and its staff are experienced in assessing the impact of disabilities on tertiary studies. In the first instance, apart from minor or temporary ailments (see section below) a student should approach the Disability Services Unit and disclose the relevant details of their disability to the DSU who will undertake an assessment of the students disability on behalf of the University. When a student presents with a disability, staff should ensure that the student is referred to the DSU.

4. The Disability Services Unit will assess the students medical condition and advise on adjustments that may be reasonably required to enable that student to access any benefit provided by the University. The DSU will liase with any academic or other area concerning adjustments that may need to be made for the student.

Confidentiality

5. The University understands the private nature of the information that may be disclosed by a student about their disability and will respect the privacy of that information. The University will not disclose that information to any person outside of the University without the specific written consent of the student, unless the University considers that disclosure of the information is required to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of the student concerned or of another person.

6. The Disability Services Unit will, where necessary, advise other members of University staff of the existence and nature of a students disability. This will only occur to enable those University staff to assist in implementing any adjustments required to accommodate the students disability.

Inherent Requirements of Course

7. Where the effects of a students disability may restrict their capacity to meet the inherent requirements of a course, for example, compulsory external clinical placements or particular health and safety requirements, the student should disclose their disability in accordance with this policy, preferably prior to enrolment or at the first opportunity if the disability occurs after enrolment.

The University will assess whether the student will be able to meet the inherent requirements of the proposed course. Students may be refused admission to a course, or their enrolment discontinued, if, even with adjustments, it is not possible to meet the inherent requirements of a course.

Where requested by the student, the DSU will assist the student to liaise with the course convenor and, where admission to the course is not possible, assist the student to obtain counselling on alternative courses or options that may be available to them.

Minor or Temporary Ailments

8. For a short term illness or temporary disability, University staff to whom the disability has been disclosed need to determine whether they have the authority and expertise to assist the student, and if not, should refer the student to the Disability Services Unit.

9. For short term or minor adjustments (for example an extension to an assignment due to illness) a Dean or Director may establish procedures within their Faculty or School for the handling of this type of adjustment. Advice can be sought from the DSU on these issues should staff or students feel it appropriate to do so.

FORMS

Application For Special Examination Arrangements

Application for Special Consideration

Application for Special Examination

Disability Services Unit Registration Form