Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students with a disability/health condition have a fundamental right of access to education on the same basis as other students. This right is protected in federal and state/territory anti-discrimination law. Disability Education Standards (2005) formulated under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) clarify the obligations of education and training providers to ensure that students with disabilities/health conditions are able to access and participate in education without experiencing discrimination.
Student Rights
In specific terms and, provided the University is not subject to unjustifiable hardship, students with disabilities/health conditions have the right to:
- Enrol and participate in a program or unit of study and use services, supports and facilities provided by the University on the same basis as other students including the right to reasonable and appropriate academic adjustments and accommodations based on the assessed needs of individual students and on the availability of resources
- Appropriate confidentiality of all information pertaining to their disability/health condition with the choice of whom to disclose the disability/health condition to, except as required by law
- Be consulted regarding accommodations to be provided in an effort to minimise the impact of a disability/health condition on study and academic performance
- Information reasonably available in accessible formats
- Undertake study in an accessible and safe environment free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation in relation to their disability
Students with a disability/health condition may elect not to utilise specific provisions or services offered by the University in an effort to minimise the impact on study. In this situation students are permitted to change their mind if they believe the support provided is of no assistance to them. However, students are required to contact the ESU to advise of their decision as soon as possible to enable limited resources to be redirected to other areas. Failure to advise the ESU that a service or accommodation is no longer required may result in future requests for assistance being jeopardised.
If dissatisfied with the type or level of assistance provided or how they believe they are being treated because of their disability/health condition, students may seek a review of their situation by firstly contacting relevant University staff or lodging a grievance under the appropriate complaints procedure which is outlined here.
Student Responsibilities
Student rights are balanced by important responsibilities of which students need to be aware. It is the student’s responsibility to:
- Register with the ESU annually providing updated supporting documentation and inform the ESU directly of any changes to their study support needs or personal contact details
- Identify themselves to the ESU in a timely manner as a person with a disability/health condition when seeking an accommodation or adjustment and provide all relevant information as required by the ESU
- Provide documentation from an acceptable professional source that verifies the nature of the disability and the functional limitations resulting from the disability/health condition to support any request for an accommodation or adjustment
- Follow specific policies, guidelines and/or procedures for obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids
- Check their University email account at least weekly to ensure they are able to respond to written notices from the ESU or other areas of the University in a timely manner
- Notify the ESU of any change in their circumstances that may impact on the services offered to them by the University.
Students are further encouraged to contact their Disability Advisor if unsure of any aspect regarding their rights and responsibilities. With a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities student participation in a chosen study program will be more positive and the benefit of access to required support enhanced.