If you are attempting to manage the demands of study as well as a health condition, learning disability or have caring responsibilities that may be impacting your studies, our disability support services may be able to provide you with some academic adjustments.
Our Disability Services help you gain access to reasonable adjustments and can provide advice to any students regarding support services.
If you identify as having a disability or condition that may impact on your ability to complete your study, talk to us about the services we can offer.
Learning Access Plan
In order to request such adjustments, we ask you to complete an application and provide supporting information from a relevant treating health professional such as medical practitioners, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and psychiatrists.
For students with learning difficulties, memory and cognitive deficit and visual print difficulties who have not been formally diagnosed, a diagnosis needs to be organised prior to requesting a Learning Access Plan.
Disability Services
You are encouraged to contact our Disability Liaison Advisor to have a discussion about your requirements and learn more about the adjustments we can offer to meet your specific needs. You can have a confidential conversation with our Disability Liaison Advisor by calling 02-8588-4752 or sending an email disabilityservices@laureate.edu.au
To find out more about the process of applying for and securing a Disability Access Plan, visit the links below:
Student Fact Sheet (Studying with a Disability)
Procedure for requesting reasonable adjustments due to disability (Think)
Procedure for requesting reasonable adjustments due to disability (TUA)
Disclosure
Disclosure of a disability or medical condition is a personal choice. In order for us to provide adequate support in a timely manner, we encourage you to consider disclosing your disability as soon as you foresee your condition will impact your studies. In some circumstances we need time to process an application and organise supports. We will always endeavour to make provisions and eliminate barriers to student success; however, we cannot guarantee that all requests will be immediately implemented.
What adjustments are available?
- Early enrolment
- Learning materials in accessible format
- Changes to student presentation and group work
- Movement in class
- Recording lectures
- Assignment and exam – extensions and modifications
- Other exam modifications (Breaks, food and drinks or exam time)
- Alternative room for exam
- Deadline extension for assignments
- Special equipment
- Furniture Aids
We will always endeavour to accommodate a student’s reasonable adjustments, but the university acknowledges it does have limited resources and facilities.
Resources
The following agencies can also provide information, support and advocacy:
Implementing a Learning Access Plan
Students who have an approved Learning Access Plan (previously called Disability Access Plan) are responsible for communicating the reasonable adjustments approved in the plan. A Statement of Learning Access will be provided to the student as a means of communication with relevant staff regarding the approved plan.
If your plan was approved before April 2019 and you don’t have a Statement of Learning Access, please contact disabilityservices@laureate.edu.au .
Some adjustments related to specialised equipment and software will be organised during the application process, whilst academic adjustments will require timely communication with Academic and Campus staff.
Assessments
Deadline extension: Requests for late submission of assessments must be formally submitted by the student to the lecturer no later than 24 hours before the deadline.
Assessment format modification: Modifications to assessment format require advice from Program Directors. When a student requires assessment in an alternative format, lecturers will need to be advised by the student at the beginning of each trimester.
Exams
Students are responsible for notifying Student Services (Campus Life Team) of any Learning Access Plan in place that will affect their examination 2 weeks prior examination week.
Plan Review
Your treating health practitioner will recommend the duration of the plan and you can request a review of the plan at any time.
If you change your course, Campus, or study mode, your plan will need to be reviewed.
What are Reasonable Adjustments?
Adjustments are reasonable if they balance the interests of all parties and do not affect the academic standards or inherent requirements of a subject or course.
What are inherent requirements?
The fundamental abilities, skills and knowledge that all students need in order to successfully complete a course or program, regardless of their disability, because they are essential to the relevant career.
How is confidentiality and privacy handled?
We understand the private nature of the information that you may disclose to us in relation to your medical condition or disability, and we will respect the privacy of that information. With your consent, we may advise other University staff of the existence and nature of your disability or medical condition so that they can assist in implementing any adjustments required. We will not disclose information to any person outside the University without specific written consent unless the University is required by law to provide the information. Further information about the University’s approach to supporting students with a disability can be found in the Students with a Disability Policy.
Meet and Greet your Disability Advisor
Book online or alternatively contact disabilityservices@laureate.edu.au
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP)
If you study on Campus and have a medical or mental health condition or a physical disability, you may require a personal emergency evacuation plan. Please ensure you communicate this to your Student Services Team so they can assist in creating an evacuation plan that takes into consideration your needs. You do not need to have a Disability Access Plan in order to have a PEEP. This is about keeping you safe in case of fire evacuation.