Reasonable Adjustments to Teaching and
Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy

OVERVIEW

a. In keeping with its values, the University of Adelaide is committed to providing equitable outcomes and participation for all students, including those with a disability.

b. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) makes it unlawful for the University to discriminate against a person on the grounds of their disability in the provision of education.

c. Under the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth), the University is legally required to make reasonable adjustments to enable a student with a disability to participate at University on the same basis as other students without a disability, provided the integrity and inherent academic requirements of the student's course of study is maintained.

d. The University's commitment to the provision of reasonable adjustments in teaching and assessment is documented in the University's Disability Action Plan 2008-13.

SCOPE AND APPLICATION

a. This policy applies to all academic staff, staff within the Disability Service, titleholders involved in teaching and supervision, and coursework and research students of the University.

b. Any student registered with the Disability Service may seek reasonable adjustments in teaching and assessment under this policy.

PRINCIPLES

1. Implementing reasonable adjustments

a. To enable University staff to implement reasonable adjustments in teaching and assessment, including modified examination arrangements, a student with a disability must identify himself or herself as such by:

i. making an appointment in a timely manner with a Disability Advisor in the Disability Service to discuss the services and adjustments required, and

ii. providing a Verification and Impact Statement completed by a health professional, or any other documents specified by the Disability Advisor, at the meeting.

b. The Disability Advisor will complete a Disability Access Plan in consultation with the student which will inform negotiations with relevant academic staff.

c. The student must provide the Disability Access Plan to relevant academic staff in a timely fashion in order to enable adjustments to be implemented.

d. Academic staff must implement reasonable adjustments to teaching and assessment, if requested by a student with a Disability Access Plan, in accord with that Disability Access Plan.

e. When modified examination arrangements are required, the student must make an appointment with the Disability Advisor prior to the deadline specified by the Disability Service.

2. Confidentiality

a. Information provided to the Disability Service about the nature of a student's disability will not be disclosed outside the Disability Service unless:

i. the University has reasonable grounds for concern about the health or safety of the student or other persons; or

ii. the student gives express consent; or

iii. disclosure of the information is required by law; or

iv. it is necessary for the University to obtain legal advice.

b. Information about the functional impact of a student's disability may be included in the student's Disability Access Plan and shared with University of Adelaide staff solely for the purpose of assisting the student in their studies and determining what reasonable adjustments can be made.

3. Further information

a. Further information for students with a disability is available from the Disability Service.

b. Further information for staff about teaching students with a disability is available from the Disability Service and the School of Education

DEFINITION

Disability has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), and includes physical, psychological and psychiatric conditions and injuries, and ongoing medical conditions.

Please use the following URL instead of linking to individual documents:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/64/