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Disability Service
Horace Lamb Building
Ground Floor
North Terrace Campus
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Email

Telephone: +61 8 8313 5962
Facsimilie: +61 8 8313 6463

 

FAQs about disability services at Uni


How do I know if I am eligible for assistance?

Any University of Adelaide student with a disability or medical condition, whether a short or long term issue, may be eligible for assistance from the Disability Service.

A disability can include any physical, mental, sensory or neurological condition that affects a student’s ability to meet the requirements of their study program.

To be considered for eligibility for special provisions you will need to provide either:

What does the Disability Advisor do?

The Disability Advisor (DA) can provide you with information and advice about accessing services to assist you in achieving your learning goals.  The DA also liaises with academic staff regarding recommended accommodations.

How do I make an appointment?

Appointments are available Monday to Friday during office hours.  Phone 8313 5962 or email the DA at disability@adelaide.edu.au.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

  • Your Timetable
  • Completed Verification and Impact Statement (VIS)
  • Year 12, SSABSA (from July 2008 it is known as the SACE Board) accommodations to your studies, if relevant
  • Any other relevant medical documentation 
  • A psychologist’s report if relevant
  • If you have studied at another University, bring along your previous Access Plan

How do I organise AEA (Alternative Exam Arrangements)?

You will need to make an appointment with the DA early in the Semester.  The DA will require a copy of your completed Verification and Impact Statement (VIS) before you can be assessed for AEA.

You will need to have your AEA granted no later than 6 weeks prior to the examination period.   In the event of an injury or illness during the examination period that affects your ability to sit your exam, contact the DA immediately to organise other arrangements.

Further information is available at www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/.

What if I need an extension?

Extensions, as a part of your Disability Access Plan, are a planned process, not a last-minute request for extra time. 

When you meet with the DA, the discussion will cover your specific needs in terms of timeframes and assessments.  This will be included in your Access Plan, which you will need to take to your lecturer for discussion.  Lecturers will generally consider extension requests that are reasonable and fall within the context of the course’s timelines. 

What is an Access Plan?

This is a document prepared by the DA for students with disabilities or medical conditions.   Your Access Plan is used to document information about the impact of your disability or medical condition on your studies.  It is also used to document the services you are being provided by the Disability Service.

Who gets to see my Access Plan?

You can use your Access Plan in negotiating arrangements with academic staff in your courses. 

It is important to note that you are not obliged to disclose your disability but of equal importance is that staff of the University will not be able to meet your needs if they are not informed of your individual circumstances.  If you do choose to register with the Disability Service, the Access Plan that is given to Academic Staff does not disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition, unless you are comfortable to do so.

Please see the following link for useful information regarding disclosure (http://www.adcet.edu.au/AdcetResources/To_tell_or_not_to_tell.chpx)

You will be provided with hard copies of your Access Plan so that you can use it to inform University staff about your requirements.

What about confidentiality?

The Disability Service has strict guidelines around confidentiality and you can be assured that information remains confidential within the service. The nature of your disability or medical condition will not be disclosed to another person unless you agree that a certain level of disclosure to academic staff would be useful.

While the DA will collect information about the disability or medical condition, when making arrangements with academic staff the focus will be on the functional impact it has on teaching methods and assessment.

Your choice to access the Disability Service does not appear on your academic transcript.

What is a Category A student?

Category A students are students who have verified that their medical condition is permanent and unchanging. This means that the accommodations which have been set up for these students will remain in place and unchanged for the remainder of their study in their current program at the University of Adelaide.

How do I know if I am a Category A student?

If you are a Category A student you will be advised at the time you meet with the Disability Advisor to register with the Disability Service. 

How does the Category A system work?

If you are a Category A student and you have Alternative Exam Arrangments (AEA) your details will be automatically sent to the Exams Office.

For either mid semester or end of semester in-department exams/tests, you will need to provide a copy of your AEA to the relevant department. It is your responsibility to ensure that you contact your lecturer or faculty at least 4 weeks prior to the in-department exam/test to ensure they are aware of your AEA requirements.

If you have a memo to your course coordinators stating your specific accommodations, you must keep a copy to provide to each of your future course coordinators throughout the period of your enrolment in the current program. It is your responsibility to negotiate directly with academic staff. The memo is for you to take to your relevant course coordinator/lecturer to discuss your accommodations. If you do not do this you cannot expect these accommodations.

Does a Category A student need to see the Disability Advisor after they have registered with the Disability Service?

Category A students will no longer need to make appointments with Disability Advisors each semester. However if their circumstances change  they must make an appointment with the Disability Advisor in order for new accommodations to be organised.

What circumstances do Category A students need to contact the Disability Service?

Category A students will need to conact the Disability Service if:

  • there are access requirements to buildings that need to discuss each semester
  • interpreters are required each semester
  • course materials need to be scanned or brailled
  • the Disability Advisor needs to liaise with a lecturer on the student's behalf
  • changes to swipe card access or equipment borrowing are needed
  • the student has withdrawn from study and is re-enrolling
  • the student has changed their program
  • circumstances change and current accommodations do not cover these changes. In this case the student may need to provide new medical information to the Disability Advisor

 
Stories from our students

"As a student with significant mobility restrictions I registered with the University’s Disability Services upon enrolment of my double-degree.

"Coming straight from high school I was initially unsure of what support services would be offered and exactly how I could tap into these resources. When registering to receive services it is imperative to consider the minor details of what you require as a student with a disability to make your transition as simple as possible.

"The Disability Advisor (DA) often has a range of innovative ideas to get around most circumstances ensuring that your study is uninterrupted by your disability. For general issues such as access to main buildings, getting around campus and alternative exam arrangements there are often standard systems in place. In addition, in my experience, when more individual issues are brought to the attention of the DA they are dealt with swiftly and thoroughly. "

I would encourage any future or current student that could benefit from the services provided by the Disability Services to register. Receiving these services will allow your studies to run smoothly, giving you more time to study, socialise and enjoy uni life with your peers."

Name of student withheld to protect their privacy