Disability Action Plan 2011-2013 - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Disability Action Plan 2011-2013

Developed by the University Equity Committee 1999: Disability Action Plan 1999–2001
First review 2002: Disability Action Plan 2003–2005
Second review 2007: Disability Action Plan 2008–2010
Third review 2010: Disability Action Plan 2011–2013

Contents

1. Introduction
1.1 Background 
1.2 Disability Standards for Education 2005

2. Definition of key terms
2.1 Disability
2.2 Discrimination
2.3 Reasonable adjustments 
2.4 Unjustifiable hardship

3. Inclusive policy

4. Disability Action Plan review

5. Objectives and strategies

• Objective 1 - Equitable Recruitment, Enrolment, Retention and Learning Opportunities 
• Objective 2 - Equitable Employment Opportunities
• Objective 3 - Accessible and Inclusive University Environment
• Objective 4 - Promotion of Disability Action Plan and Inclusive Practices 

Download a copy of the Disability Action Plan (Word 85KB).

1. Introduction 

1.1 Background

The Disability Action Plan is guided by the principles of the Disability Standards in Education 2005 (Disability Discrimination Act 1992), which supports the fundamental right of students with disabilities to participate in all aspects of university life on the same basis as their peers.

The University of the Sunshine Coast is committed to supporting an institutional culture that enables equality of opportunity wherever possible and reasonable for all staff and students including those with disabilities. This commitment has already begun with the physical environment. All buildings and their surrounds are designed and developed to meet the access requirements of people with disabilities. The University aims to be at the forefront in providing access to reasonable adjustments so that people with disabilities can access facilities and services as independently as possible.

The purpose of the Disability Action Plan is to assist the University in providing equal access to quality education for the whole community; to improve the teaching and learning environment for students and staff; and to raise awareness of disability issues and responsibilities as a foundation for good practice in equitable service provision.

1.2 Disability Standards for Education 2005

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) makes discrimination against people on the grounds of disability unlawful in specific areas of public life. These include the workplace, accommodation, education, access to premises, clubs and sport, and in the provision of goods, facilities, services and land. The DDA prohibits discrimination against any person, or their associates, on the grounds of actual or assumed disability.

The Disability Standards for Education (the Standards) sit as subordinate legislation under the DDA and came into effect in August 2005. The Standards specifically articulate the obligations of education and training providers under the DDA and the rights of people with disabilities when undertaking education and training. Detailed requirements set out in the Standards cover:

• enrolment
• participation
• curriculum development, accreditation and delivery
• student support services, and
• elimination of harassment and victimisation.

The Standards confirm that education providers are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that students with disabilities are able to participate in education on the same basis as other students, with equal opportunity to realise their individual potential.

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2. Definition of key terms

2.1 Disability

The University of the Sunshine Coast recognises the DDA definition of disability. This encompasses temporary or permanent physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory, and neurological and learning disabilities as well as physical disfigurement and the presence in the body of organisms causing, or capable of causing, disease. It also includes a disability that presently exists, existed in the past, or may exist in the future, as well as a disability that is imputed or presumed to a person.

2.2 Discrimination

Discrimination refers to the less favourable treatment of one person over another because they have a disability - this is direct discrimination. Indirect discrimination may also occur in situations where a condition is imposed that students with a disability are unlikely to be able to comply with (for example, requiring a person with a speech impairment to undertake an oral assessment). The DDA specifies that discrimination can occur regardless of intention – behaviours that may be viewed as harmless or a joke, can be perceived as discrimination or harassment to those who find offence. Examples of this could be derogatory comments made in the course of a lecture, tutorial or interview; written derogatory comments by students or staff; or restrictive personnel practices.

Some exceptions to the Standards do exist. It is not unlawful to treat a person differently where it is reasonably intended to ensure they have equal opportunity, or if their condition may pose a risk to the health and welfare of themselves or others. A person must also be able to fulfil the “inherent requirements” as described to undertake a job or course of study, unless their inability can be overcome by making a “reasonable adjustment”.

2.3 Reasonable adjustments

Alternative arrangements or modifications are important for ensuring equal access and educational opportunity for students with disabilities. The University is required by law to make special arrangements for students wherever necessary and reasonable to do so without affecting the essential academic and technical standards of a course. Adjustments might include provision of adaptive equipment or software, changing course delivery or assessment procedures, or modification of premises.

2.4 Unjustifiable hardship

If a specific accommodation or modification would impose unreasonable hardship on the University, it is not legally bound to make that adjustment.

A number of factors are considered in determining unjustifiable hardship, including:

• the nature of the benefit (any benefits or disadvantages to others) or detriment likely to be experienced by any persons concerned
• the effect of the disability on the person concerned
• the financial circumstances and the estimated expenditure required to be made by the organisation claiming unjustifiable hardship, and
• in the case of services or facilities provision, an action plan given to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Unjustifiable hardship is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Australian Human Rights Commission, following the principles established by the DDA.

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3. Inclusive policy

The University of the Sunshine Coast is committed to ensuring equity of access, participation and success for students with disabilities, in a receptive and supportive environment.

Specific policies and procedures have direct application in promoting inclusive practice to all members of the University community, including:

• Students with a Disability Policy
• Inclusive and Non Discriminatory Language Policy and Guidelines
• Equity Policy
• Corporate Website Policy and Procedures
• University Health and Safety Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Student Conduct and Discipline Policy
• Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures
• Student Grievances and Appeals Policy and Procedures.

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4. Disability Action Plan review

This revised Disability Action Plan is designed to build upon the successes of the earlier documents. Consultation with the University and wider community determined that many actions in the previous Plan have been completed while others, by their nature, are ongoing. Areas of significant achievement include: information and assistive technology provision; professional development activities focusing on disability; improved web access for users of screen reading technology; extension of student support services. In addition, the requirement for new and innovative strategies to meet needs that have arisen as a result of the growth of the University was identified.

Following the review of strategies detailed in the 2003-2005 Action Plan, six stakeholder consultation activities were undertaken:

• annual surveying of all students who had identified as having a disability, and had utilised the University’s Disability Services between 2005 and 2010
• consultation with staff who had identified as having a disability
• a survey of academic staff from each faculty to report any known barriers to access or participation
  meetings with support agencies and student organisations
• consultation with student accommodation providers
• consultation with student administration to report any known barriers to access or participation

Priority areas identified from the consultation process have been integrated under the current Disability Action Plan objectives. The Plan details the actions the University will take to implement the intent of the Disability Discrimination Act, the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee Guidelines (available on Universities Australia Website) relating to Students with a Disability (2006), and the revised Building Codes of Australia. Many recommendations address continuing issues such as accessible environments, staff employment, and inclusive teaching and assessment practices. Specific shorter-term actions and key performance indicators are contained in the Student Life and Learning Operational Plan. This Disability Action Plan retains the original emphasis of embedding equity practices in standard procedure to ensure that an inclusive environment and culture are generated.

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5. Objectives and strategies

Objective 1: Provide equitable recruitment, enrolment, retention and learning opportunities for people with disabilities

Indicator: Access, retention and success data for students with disabilities are comparable to or exceed national averages.

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Objective 2: Provide and foster equitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities

Indicator: Recruitment and selection processes actively include people with disabilities. Annual increase in graduate employment outcomes for students with disabilities.

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Objective 3: Provide an accessible and inclusive university environment for people with disabilities

Indicator: Student evaluations report greater than 85% high satisfaction with building and facilities accessibility.

Objective 4: Promote the disability action plan and inclusive practices to all members of the university community

Indicator: Increased awareness and incorporation of inclusive practices in the provision of all university services and curriculum.

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