Disability Services
Disability Services assists current and prospective students of the University of Sydney who have a disability to access reasonable adjustments. Disability Services is located in Equity Support Services, Student Administration and Support.
Disability Services is the principal point of contact and support for students with disabilities and works closely with others in the administration and academic departments of the University. This is to ensure that appropriate arrangements relating to teaching and assessment are made for students with disabilities, whilst maintaining the academic integrity and core requires of the individual courses.
The Disability Services Officers are involved in the provision of services and recommendations of adjustments for students with disabilities.
Disability Services Officers are located at Camperdown and Cumberland campuses.
Principles
The assistance provided by Disability Services is underpinned by the following key principles:
- That the University will give students with a disability with the opportunity to realise their academic and social potential and to participate fully in University life
- The University of Sydney will uphold the academic standards of each degree and discipline so that all students graduate with the skills and knowledge expected of a graduate of the award conferred;
- Assistance provided by Disability Services seeks to minimise the impact of a disability on a student’s studies, but also to maximise student’s independence and to provide skills that a student will be able to carry beyond tertiary education into employment and community life;
- Disability Services seeks to provide services that support the University of Sydney’s commitment to meeting it’s obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth), the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Commonwealth).
What is a disability?
The definition of disability is based on the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992 and includes:
- deafness / hearing impairment
- blindness / vision impairment
- physical disability
- specific learning disability
- psychiatric disability
- acquired brain injury
- chronic medical conditions
- temporary disability
Who is eligible?
Services are provided through Disability Services where:
- a student has a disability as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), AND
- that disability impacts or in the case of prospective students has the potential to impact on the student’s University studies in some way, AND
- the student has supporting documentation i.e. medical documentation describing the disability and any corresponding need for services and/or adjustments.
Eligibility is determined at a registration appointment with a Disability Services Officer.
How do I register for assistance?
To register you must make an appointment with a Disability Services Officer and bring along the required supporting documentation and any other relevant information.
During the appointment (which usually goes for 45 minutes), the Disability Services Officer will review the documentation and assess your eligibility for services.
Eligibility for each service is based on general eligibility for support services AND the reasonable adjustments necessary to assist in reducing the impact of your disability on your studies.
The Disability Services Officer will discusses with you the options for reducing the impact of your disability on study.
When assessing whether an adjustment is ‘reasonable’, the Disability Services Officer will consider in consultation with academic or other staff if appropriate:
- the inherent requirements of the course that demonstrate core learning outcomes
- the extent to which your disability impacts upon your studies
- the effect, if any, of the adjustment on other students or the teaching and learning process; and
- the resources required.
Supporting Documentation
Before registration can occur, you must provide recent and legible medical documentation from your consulting specialist regarding your disability and how it impacts on your studies.
The supporting documentation must include:
- referring doctor’s name, contact details and address
- nature of the student’s condition/s (including specifications i.e. the extent of vision loss; how far they can walk unaided and if the condition is temporary how long it is likely to persist).
- how this may affect their studies (i.e. unable to write, unable to walk up stairs, unable to hear lecturers, impacts of anxiety or depression)
- any medication the student may be taking which may affect their ability to study;
any medical attention necessary (such as assistance required due to diabetes, epilepsy or a heart condition); and - any particular assistance the student is seeking (such as more time on examinations or use of assistive technologies).
Original copies of documentation are preferred, however copies can be kept on file as long as the original has been sighted by Disability Services.
Documentation from family members or from the NSW Board of Studies or equivalent is not acceptable.
Supporting documentation for students with learning disabilities
If you are requesting services due to a learning disability, Disability Services requires a complete copy of the results of the psychometric testing used to diagnose the extent of your learning disability.
This testing must have been conducted after you have turned 17, as levels of learning disability can change during childhood and adolescence.
If required, the Disability Services Officer can refer you for psychometric testing with relevant assessment centres or psychologists.
Privacy
Personal information about students is protected under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW), the Heath Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) and under the University of Sydney’s Privacy Policy and Plan.
For students to access support and adjustments it is necessary for them to disclose their condition or disability by registering with Disability Services and provide the appropriate supporting documentation.
In most circumstances it will not be necessary for Disability Services staff to share or disclose information provided by students regarding their condition or disability. However, in accessing Disability Services, students acknowledge that:
- staff of the University, and of related teaching bodies (eg: practicum or clinical providers) may be provided with access to and use personal information provided by a student to Disability Services in order to review and assess personal and academic needs.
the University may need to use or disclose personal information provided by a student to Disability Services in order to meet legal obligations relating to the health, safety and welfare of the student and/or that of other people.
All students registering with Disability Services must sign the form Acknowledgement of Use of Personal Information at the registration appointment.
The form will be kept on the student’s Disability Services file. Students cannot be provided with adjustments or services if the form has not been signed.
How do I comment on, compliment or complain about Disability Services?
You can talk or write to the Head Equity Support Services. If this does not resolve your concerns you can contact the Director Student Administration and Support or if appropriate the Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit.