Legislation and Policy
The University of South Australia is committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities in Higher Education.
The major legislative and policy documents that relate to University students with disabilities are the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and the Disability Standards in Education (2005).
- Disability Discrimination Act
- Disability Standards for Education
- External Acts and Policies
- Internal Policies and Links
Disability Discrimination Act
Under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 'disability' includes:
- physical
- intellectual
- psychiatric
- sensory
- neurological, and
- learning disabilities, as well as
- physical disfigurement and
- the presence in the body of disease-causing organisms.
It is against the law for a university to discriminate against a student because of their disability. Universities must not:
- refuse someone admission or expel them because of disability
- impose less favourable conditions on a student with a disability
- limit access (e.g. to buildings or to course materials) because of disability.
The Act makes it illegal to harass or victimise a person with disability. Universities must also make changes to courses to reasonably accommodate the needs of a student with disability. These are called 'reasonable adjustments'.
Disability Standards for Education
The Disability Standards for Education (2005) gives guidance on how reasonable adjustments are made.
This includes making sure curriculum requirements, study materials and assessments are accessible, courses are flexible and alternatives are offered where a student is unable to complete a particular activity because of their disability.
As part of the University's role to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, they take into consideration the inherent academic requirements of each course.
External Acts and Policies
Internal Policies and Links
- Students with disabilities (Policy No. C-7.4)
- Student Grievance Resolution C-17.3
- Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Procedures (Students)
- UniSA Disability Action Plan
- Disability Code of Practice
- Confidentiality of students' personal information A - 46
- Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual
- UniLife Advocacy and Advice
- Ombud