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Disability Service

This site is divided into the following Sections:

Appointments, Services & Facilities for Students with a Disability
Legislation & Policies for Students and Staff with a Disability
Disability Service Teaching Resources
Disability Service Newletters & Events

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The Disability Service deals exclusively with issues relating to students with a disability or chronic health condition. The Disability Service has the responsibility of ensuring students with a disability or chronic health condition are provided with appropriate advice, support and services that enable the student to access and participate in all aspects of the University of Western Sydney including social activities sponsored by the university. The university will identify barriers and implement appropriate strategies to ensure equal participation.

These strategies, as stated in the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) are known as reasonable adjustment. Reasonable adjustment can take many forms for example ensuring that all written and verbal information provided in lectures, tutorials, labs, the library etc are available in alternative format i.e. Braille, audio tape, large print. The Disability Service employs Note takers, Readers, Sign Interpreters or Practical assistants who will attend lectures and tutorials with the student. Recommendations for alternative examination adjustments also fall under the responsibility of the Disability Service.

The work of the Disability Service is underpinned by the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), Disabilities Educational Standards (2005) and UWS Disability Policy (1997).

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Disability Confidentiality & Privacy Statement

Disability Advisers at UWS operate under the ethical codes of the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Association of Social Workers. The service is also bound by the terms of the Privacy Act. These codes and the Act provide protection for you as a client. All psychologists have state registration. The information requested of you need only be provided voluntarily. You may choose to provide all or only part of the information. There is no penalty for not providing personal information, however, if you require a disability service it will be necessary for you to provide appropriate medical, psychological, educational documentation and relevant personal information.

All information provided by you will remain strictly confidential to the service. Information, including the nature of your disability or chronic health condition will not be released to any person outside the Disability Service without your written consent. There are however, a few exceptions to absolute confidentiality.
These are:

  1. When there is a clear risk to your safety or that of others;
  2. Where a legally constituted court acting within its powers requires a Disability Adviser to provide it with the students file and/or attend court as a witness;
  3. When laws such as those concerning child abuse require mandatory disclosure of information.

Under the Privacy Act you may have access to your personal file if you so wish, provided the confidentiality and privacy of others is respected and that neither you, nor anyone else is thereby put at risk. Where information in your file appears to be incorrect, you can ask that it be corrected. The purpose of the Disability files is to help ensure best disability practice. Where statistical research is undertaken, only staff of Disability Services will be involved and your personal anonymity is ensured.

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Registration of a Disability

Students are under no legal obligation to identify themselves as having a disability or chronic health condition unless they require reasonable adjustments to their academic program. Organising this type of assistance is the responsibility of the Disability Adviser. To be eligible for registration with the Disability Service students must provide appropriate, current medical or educational documentation (not older than 2 years). Medical certificates are not acceptable. Information provided by students is confidential; no information is released without the written consent of the student.

Once registered with the Disabilities Service the Disability Adviser develops in consultation with the student, treating doctor and/or educational psychologist and the academic an Academic Integration Plan (AIP). The AIP stipulates the basic strategies that need to be implemented for a particular student by the relevant academic, examination and administrative staff. The strategies or reasonable adjustments contained within the Academic Integration Plan are based on the Disability Advisers professional knowledge and experience, the student’s current health status, perception of need and information contained in the medical, psychological or educational reports.

Before disclosing information about your disability or chronic health condition it is suggested that you read 'Choosing Your Path: Disclosure - It's a Personal Decision' at: http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/rdlo/disclosure/

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Academic Integration Plan

The Academic Integration Plans are sent to the relevant Unit Coordinator each semester for distribution to unit lecturers, tutors and practicum supervisors. It is the responsibility of the Course Coordinator to ensure that academic staff implements the Academic Integration Plan. Academic Integration Plans are also sent to the Examination Unit, to ensure reasonable adjustments are provided for the student’s end-of-semester examinations.

Prior to the commencement of each semester Academic Integration Plans are revised to ensure that the Academic Intergration Plans reflect the current health status of the student and the requirements of the units. Feedback from academic staff is also taken into consideration. When required, an Academic Integration Plan will be modified to accommodate the students changing health status. Information provided to Disability Advisers by students, treating professionals or external specialist agencies is private and confidential; students must sign a ‘Release of Information’ before an Academic Integration Plan is released for distribution.  Academic Integration Plans are UWS documents and no information what-so-ever will be released without the students written authority.

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UWS Disabilty Service - Student Handbook

The intention of the UWS Disability Service - Student Handbook is to provide students with a disability or chronic health condition with information about their legal rights; university facilities; academic advice; service and assistance available on campus; and other information that the student may find useful.

The professional practice and work of the Disability Advisers at the University of Western Sydney is underpinned by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the UWS Staff and Student Disability Policy 1997 and the Disability Educational Standards (2005). The Handbook provides an overview of the role of the Disability Advisers, School Disability Coordinators and the UWS Disability Service. Individual sections provide information on a range of other services, faculties and assistance available to UWS students. A description of the service, faculty or assistance is provided along with the contact details of the appropriate staff members. Where ever possible, an email and/or website address has also been included.

The Disability Service Principles and Procedures cover:

The Related Document below downloads the Student Handbook (48 pages) in PDF format.

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