UWA Disability Policy

FOREWORD

The University is committed to providing an environment of equal opportunity in employment and education, free from unfair discrimination, for existing and prospective students and staff with disabilities.

To this end the University will act to ensure that its structures, policies, and procedures are free from direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status or pregnancy, race, age, sexual preference, religious or political beliefs, disability, family responsibility or family status.

This Disability Policy provides general guidelines so that the individual goals and potentials of people with disabilities can be furthered. It forms a crucial part of the University's equal opportunity framework. It will help to provide and environment for people with disabilities which encourage them in the pursuit of their academic and personal goals and the realisation of their potential to contribute to the achievement of the University's mission.

PURPOSE AND IMPLEMENTATION

The University of Western Australia has responsibility under the Western Australian Equal Opportunity Act (1984), the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and the Western Australian Disability Services Act (1992) to eliminate and prevent discrimination on the grounds of disability in education, employment, accommodation, access to premises, clubs and sport; and the provision of facilities and services.

This policy provides general guidelines for the development of policies and procedures so that the individual goals and potential of people with disabilities can be furthered. It provides a basis for ensuring the provision of appropriate services and supports and for the removal of barriers which limit the participation of people with disabilities in the academic, occupational, social, and recreational activities of the University. The implementation and operation of this policy will have regard to, and be in accordance with, other University policies and procedures that relate to the physical, work, and study environments of the general University community.

DEFINITIONS

"Disability"
The term disability shall have the same meaning that the term "disability" has under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). "Disability" means:

a) total or partial loss of a person's bodily or mental functions; or
b) total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
c) the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or
d) the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or
e) the malfunction, malformation, or disfigurement of a part of a person's body; or
f) a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or
g) a disorder illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement that results in disturbed behaviour;

and includes a disability that:

h) presently exists; or
i) previously existed by no longer exists; or
j) may exist in the future; or
k) is imputed to a person.

"The University of Western Australia", "The University"
The terms, "The University of Western Australia" and "the University" shall include: The University of Western Australia and all its Faculties, Departments, Centres, Services, Institutes, Units, Schools, and Colleges.

"wherever possible"
The term wherever possible shall mean that the University will take into account all relevant circumstances of a particular situation including the following:
a) the nature of the benefit or detriment likely to accrue or be suffered by any persons concerned; and
b) the effect of a disability of the person concerned;
c) the options there are to meet the requirements of the person with a disability;
d) the financial circumstances and the estimated expenditure by the University; and
e) the University's disability action plan.

POLICY AND PROCEDURE

The University affirms its strong support for, and acceptance of, people with disabilities to be involved in all aspects of community life including equitable participation in higher education. The University is committed to providing an environment of equal opportunity, free from unfair discrimination, for existing and prospective students and staff with disabilities in the pursuit of their academic goals and the realisation of their potential to contribute to the University's mission. Having regard for its unique position in the education cultural and community life of Western Australia, the University recognises the importance of providing appropriate access and support for people with disabilities from the wider community.

In accordance with these principles, the following policy and procedures shall apply.

1. Participation

1.1 The University aims to achieve equitable access for students and staff with disabilities to the academic, occupational, recreational, and social activities of the University.

1.2 The University will promote to prospective students and members of the general community the opportunities, services and facilities that it makes available to people with disabilities.

2. Support Provision

2.1 The University recognises the need for specific support for students and staff with disabilities to access the range of University services and facilities available to other members of the University community.

2.2 The University will provide a disability officer whose primary responsibilities will be to provide a support to students and staff with disabilities, report to the discussion group for People with Disabilities on the implementation of the University's disability policy, and liaise with other universities and agencies in the area of tertiary education and disability.

2.3 The University will provide an appropriate level of services and supports for students and staff with disabilities to enable them to pursue their academic and employment goals. To ensure the general availability and ease of access, these supports will be provided through regular channels and be made available on a shared basis wherever possible.

3. Confidentiality and Disclosure

3.1 Confidentiality of information relating to students and staff with disabilities will be protected, and access to information will be restricted to staff with a legitimate need to know, for example, Sub-Deans, Examinations Officer, and appropriate departmental staff where resourcing implications are to be considered. All documentary evidence of disability will be retained by the Disability officer unless otherwise agreed to by the person with the disability.

3.2 In order to assist in the planning and provision of services and facilities, students with disabilities are encouraged to identify any special needs at the time of admission. Failure to disclose special needs at an appropriate time may lead to disruption of a student's study program, should the need for special assistance subsequently become apparent.

4. Awareness

4.1 The University will continue its efforts to develop awareness and understanding of disability issues within the University through:

i) providing information on the supports available to people with disabilities as well as the University policy and government legislation relation to disability issues;
ii) initiating and conducting staff workshops that focus on disability issues;
iii) fostering and encouraging among its staff and students positive, informed and unprejudiced attitudes towards people with disabilities.
4.2 The University will disseminate information to the wider community on its policy towards and support of students with disabilities through:

i) ensuring that all University publications direct to prospective students include information on support and facilities available to people with disabilities;
ii) ensuring that promotional materials for University activities and courses include a request for notification of special needs, eg. accessible venues, alternative information formats;
iii) providing assistance through specific orientation and programs for prospective students with disabilities to introduce them to the policies, facilities, services and activities of the University.

5. Physical Access

5.1 The University will ensure that all its buildings, facilities and services, including long and short term accommodation, are fully accessible wherever possible.

5.2 When any University activity or event is inaccessible to a person with a disability, and no structural remedy can be found in time, alternative venue arrangements will be made wherever possible to allow participation.

5.3 The University will provide adequate parking facilities for persons with disabilities.

6. Academic Access

6.1 A student's eligibility for a course or unit is subject only to those selection criteria which are ordinarily applied to all applicants for that course or unit.

6.2 Where appropriate, particular units may be adapted to allow the student with a disability to participate as fully as possible. This will not be done in ways which change the essential nature of the unit or compromise what are deemed to be essential skills or knowledge. The Faculty Sub-Dean and the lecturers involved will have responsibility for unit adaptation subject to approval from the Head of Department.

6.3 Wherever possible, unit materials should be accessible to students and available in sufficient time to enable the student to use them within the time-scale for the unit. It is the student's responsibility to make their needs known in sufficient time for this to be done.

6.4 Counselling for appropriate course choice should be carried out by the Sub-Dean or Course Adviser in consultation with the Disability officer. Course and unit preference and choice should not be inappropriately influenced by the level or type of disability.

7. Advocacy

7.1 The University recognises the importance of consultation with people with disabilities in all decisions that affect their opportunity for full participation.

7.2 The University supports the maintenance of a discussion group for People with Disabilities. This discussion group will:

i) be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this policy and programmes relating to people with disabilities;
ii) report on implementation of policies and programmes to the Senate;
iii) have input into the development of policy and procedures as required;
iv) prepare a disability action plan for adoption by the University.

8. Academic Assessment

8.1 The same academic standard shall prevail for all students. Wherever possible, students with disabilities will be assessed by the same procedures that apply to all students. However, the special circumstances and problems encountered in assessment situations for students with disabilities may require adjustment of the usual assessment methods. Every effort will be made so that these adjustments take account of specific disabilities.

8.2 Application for special examinations are to be in accordance with the procedures laid down in Examination Procedures for Students with Disabilities Requesting Special Requirements (available from the Examination Office). These arrangements will be provided in a manner that is consistent with a commitment to both academic excellence and to equality of opportunity.

9. Employment

9.1 The University will ensure that a policy of equal opportunity in employment and supports the right of people with a disability to have fair and equitable access to employment opportunities and benefits. The University promotes equitable employment practices which aim to ensure that the best person is employed for the job in a climate that is free from unfair discrimination.

9.2 The University will provide equitable recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that people with disabilities compete on a fair basis with other applicants.

9.3 Where modifications to the work place are required, support will be provided wherever possible to enable staff members with a disability to carry out their duties.

9.4 The University is supportive of people with disabilities seeking opportunities for career development and promotion within the University structure.