Disability News

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AVCC Guidelines relating to students with a disability

These guidelines have been updated from the 1996 good practice guidelines to take into account legislative changes over the past 12 years. The aim of the guidelines is to provide consistent guidelines across the higher education sector for the provision of services and support to people with a disability.

Click here to download a PDF version of the guidelines or go to Creating Accessible Teaching and Support Website for further resources.

Guidelines on information access for students with a disability

More than 3% of Australians are blind, vision-impaired or have another form of print disability (that is, they cannot read, hold or comprehend print based material) which means that they need information in an alternative format such as braille, large print, audio or accessible electronic.

In recognition that many universities were struggling to meet this challenge, in May 2002 the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission convened a forum to discuss ways to improve the provision of information in alternative formats.

The Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee has now released guidelines for good practice in the provision of print materials to students with print disabilities through strategies and arrangements which are appropriate to their local circumstances. Below are copies in PDF or Word.

Guidelines on Information Access for Students with Disabilities [PDF | Word]

Disclosure of disability - a new website

Disclosure of disability presents a number of challenges & choices for people with a disability, particularly those participating in education and employment. Choices may include 'Do I need to disclose my disability', ''when do I disclose my disability', 'how do I disclose my disability', 'what are my rights', 'do I have responsibilities when I disclose'. Employers and educators may also be challenged in relation to their role and responsibilities when a person discloses their disability.

Choosing Your Path. Disclosure: It's A Personal Decision addresses these challenges for people with disabilities, employers and educators. The website provides substantial information about options and pathways that people with disabilities can use in disclosing their disability in post secondary education and employment environments. The website also articulates the role and responsibilities of employers and educators in relation to disclosure .

Training

The Equity Section runs two training sessions per year on Supporting Students with a Disability. Other relevant training would also include Equity Basics and Equity in Practice for academic and general staff at all levels within the organisation who may deal with students with a disability within their sphere of activity.

For more information on Equity Training and Development programs, click here.

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