Policy: Adjustments for students who disclose a disability

Purpose

To set out the principles, for disclosure to the University of the effects of a disability by a student, and to clarify rights and responsibilities associated with, and as a result of the disclosure of information regarding a person’s disability.

Overview

The policy defines the principle that students with a disability are treated equitably and aims to provide students who disclose a disability, and are deemed able to meet inherent requirements, with reasonable adjustments, where possible, so that they are not disadvantaged academically because of their disability.

Scope

This policy applies to students with a disability who are enrolled or seeking enrolment in a course at the University or seeking admission to the University and University staff involved with these students.

Policy statement

Principles

The University supports the right of people with disabilities to be involved in higher education.
The University fosters and encourages among its staff and students positive, informed and unprejudiced attitudes towards people with disabilities and makes provision, insofar as resources may reasonably permit, for any service needed by or for people with impairments.
The University takes positive steps to encourage people to seek admission to the University regardless of impairment or disability and applies 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.
The University recognises the right of students with disabilities to have reasonable adjustments made to academic policies, procedures and practices to address the effects of their disabilities.
The University understands the private nature of the information disclosed by a student about their disability and handles personal information in accordance with its Privacy policy. The University does 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 necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to the life, safety or health of any person, or
to public health or safety, and it is unreasonable or impractical to obtain the student’s prior consent to the disclosure, or
the disclosure is required by law.

Information	Printable version (PDF)
Title	Adjustments for students who disclose a disability
Document Type	Policy
Document Number	ANUP_001226
Version
Purpose	To set out the principles, for disclosure to the University of the effects of a disability by a student, and to clarify rights and responsibilities associated with, and as a result of the disclosure of information regarding a person’s disability.
Audience	Students, Prospective Students, Staff
Category	Academic
Topic/ SubTopic	Equity & Diversity - Equity

Effective Date	8 Sep 2020
Next Review Date	8 Sep 2025

Responsible Officer:	Registrar, Student Administration
Approved By:	Academic Board
Contact Area	Division of Student Administration and Academic Services
Authority:	Australian National University Act 1991 Work Health & Safety Act 2011 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Standards for Education 2005 Privacy Act 1988
Delegations	58
Information generated and received by ANU staff in the course of conducting business on behalf of ANU is a record and should be captured by an authorised recordkeeping system. To learn more about University records and recordkeeping practice at ANU, see ANU recordkeeping and Policy: Records and archives management.

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