How to register with the DSU
New and continuing students wishing to request services from the DSU are required to register with the service annually by making an appointment with a Disability Advisor. The DSU encourages students to make an appointment prior to the start of each semester/study period for a needs assessment interview. This allows sufficient time to arrange appropriate support services.
If students have not registered with the DSU but the need for support becomes evident during the semester, it is important that students contact DSU staff as soon as possible to discuss their support needs.
To make an appointment, please contact the Disability Support Unit:
- In person: Student Support Services, Level 2 Lincoln Building C8A
- Phone: +61 (0)2 9850 6494 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
- TTY: +61 (0)2 9850 6493 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
- Fax: +61 (0)2 9850 6063
- Email: equity@mq.edu.au
Alternatively, students can fax, email or post a completed and signed Advice of Disability/Health Condition form to the DSU. Once the form is received the DSU ’s administration will contact students to arrange an appointment for a needs assessment interview with a Disability Advisor. Copies of the Advice of Disability/Health Condition form can be downloaded here.
| Mailing address: | |
| Disability Support Unit | |
| Student Support Services | |
| Level 2, C8A Lincoln Building | |
| Macquarie University | |
| North Ryde NSW 2109 |
COMPLETE AN DSU Advice of Disability/Health Condition FORM
To register with the DSU, students with a disability/health condition are required to complete and submit an DSU Advice of Disability/Health Condition form every year. This form must be submitted to the DSU regardless of whether the disability/health condition is temporary, long term or permanent.
The form asks for contact details, the nature of the
disability/health condition and consent to obtain or release confidential information in relation to support requirements. The provision of consent to obtaining/releasing information is voluntary. However, students should be aware that if consent is declined, the DSU might not be able to provide the support services that are requested.
If students have any concerns about the DSU obtaining or releasing confidential information, they are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a Disability Advisor.
An DSU Advice of Disability/Health Condition form is available via:
- Macquarie University Enrolment package
- Support services reception (see here for location)
- or you can download the form here
Information for external students
External students can request a telephone appointment by contacting the DSU administration assistant (see contact details above).
Students having a phone interview need to send original documents, including an Advice of Disability/Health Condition form and supporting documentation, to the Disability Support Unit before the telephone appointment takes place.
DSU INTAKE CARD
All students undertaking a needs assessment interview will be asked to complete an DSU intake card. The card captures information for statistical purposes only and is required by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), the University’s funding body. This information also guides the DSU in terms of policy and planning and provides information used in developing University programs, services and facilities.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
A needs assessment interview will take place with an DSU Disability Advisor and the information gained during the interview will form the basis of a student’s assessment.
The Disability Advisor will seek information about a student’s disability/health condition and about how it impacts upon academic study or performance. This information will allow the Disability Advisor to determine: the most appropriate form of assistance; consider issues of accessibility; resources and whether reasonable adjustment to a program of study needs to be considered.
Students will need to provide the following documentation at their needs assessment interview:
- A completed Advice of Disability/Health Condition form
- Supporting documentation
- Details regarding program of study, course outline and timetable information
Please note that program of study information should include lecturer and tutor names, unit (subject) codes for which support services are being requested, weekly timetable of classes (lectures, tutorials or practical classes), dates and times of any on-campus sessions, building and room numbers and assessment tasks including the dates for any mid-semester exams or in-class tests/quizzes.
Students are responsible for notifying their Disability Advisor of any changes to their program or timetable. The DSU endeavours to work pro-actively with students with a disability/health condition to address potential access or equity issues in a timely manner. Any concerns about a program of study should be raised with Disability Advisor at the needs assessment interview, or as soon as possible.
In order to conduct a full assessment during a needs assessment interview, a Disability Advisor will refer to supporting documentation, discuss needs and experiences in educational settings, and discuss support services offered by the DSU. Students should refer to the section on Disclosure, here on this website, if they have further concerns about disclosing the above information during their assessment interview with a Disability Advisor.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
The student must provide supporting documentation in order to receive services from the Disability Support Unit. Supporting documentation should be completed by a:
- Medical practitioner
- Allied health professional
- Educational psychologist
All documentation must be on letterhead paper, less than 12 months old, in English (or translated) and include the following information:
- Date of assessment/consultation
- Verification of a disability or health condition
- Advice about the impact of disability/health condition on academic study or performance
- Recommendations for support services
- Medication and possible side effects (if applicable)
- Direction for action in the event of an emergency (if applicable)
- Practitioner’s contact details
- Practitioner’s signature
- Practitioner’s provider number (if relevant)
Students may be requested to provide further documentation in an agreed time frame if necessary. To assist the practitioner, a Health Practitioner’s Report form is available on request from the DSU. This form will ensure that all necessary information is provided.
If supporting documentation describes a disability/health condition as permanent, a Disability Advisor may advise that updated documentation is not required each year.
Important Information for Students with a Learning Disability
For students with a learning disability, supporting documentation prepared within the last three years must be completed by an education professional, e.g., an Educational/Clinical Psychologist trained in administering standardised tests and assessing learning disabilities. The assessment report will need to indicate the type of tests used, test results and also provide recommendations around the type of study support required.
Students requiring information about possible learning assessment referral options should seek advice from the DSU, if they do not have current documentation.
DSU SERVICE AGREEMENT
Following a needs assessment interview, a student will be asked to sign an DSU Service Agreement. The Service Agreement outlines the recommended support services to be provided by the DSU in an academic year or specified period of study.
In signing a service agreement students will be asked to agree to the following conditions:
- I understand that these services and resources (as outlined in this agreement) are subject to availability and approval.
- I understand that provision of support services is subject to annual registration with the DSU and subsequent review of my study support needs with a Disability Advisor.
- I understand that I need to advise the DSU of any changes in my circumstances that may impact on the services offered to me by the DSU.
- I have been advised to make contact with the DSU regarding my study support needs for the following semester/trimester/study period.
- I have been provided with a copy of the DSU Handbook which outlines students’ rights and responsibilities
- I understand that identifying information may be forwarded to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) for funding purposes.
- I understand that this agreement can be reviewed at any time by making an appointment with an DSU Disability Adviser to discuss support requirements.
- I also understand that the DSU may initiate a review if services are deemed to be no longer required, or misused.
If the student has any questions or concerns about these conditions, they should ask a Disability Advisor for clarification.