Support and Services available
Disability Resources coordinates a range of support services to registered student with disabilities. The supports recommended are based on the individual needs of each student.
Services and supports available include:
- General support and advocacy
- Examination adjustments, e.g extra time, ergonomic chair, reformatting of exam, use of a scribe or reader, etc
- Access to distance materials or lecture notes prior to classes
- Permission to record classes
- Assignment extensions
- Alternative formatting or required texts and study materials, i.e enlarged font, elecronic format, Braille.
- Assistive technology and equipment
- Disability Support Workers, i.e notetakers, sign interpreters
Reasonable Adjustments
The Disability Counsellors will determine what 'reasonable adjustments' are required for each student to participate equitable at Uni. The main objective of adjustments is to allow students opportuntiy to achieve a grade based on merit and not be disadvantaged by the impact of their disability.
An adjustment is considered reasonable if it assists the student to paricipate at Uni on the same basis as other students whilst taking into account the student's learning needs and balancing the interest of all parties affected including those of the student with the disability, the education provider, and other students.
Will all requests of students with disabilities be approved?
Not necessarily - In assessing whether a particular adjustment is reasonable, a number of factors need to be taken into account including:
-
The nature of the students disability
-
the information provided about how the disability affects the students ability to participate
-
view of the student about the proposed adjustment
-
the effect of the proposed adjustment on the student, or others, the costs and benefits of making the adjustment
-
ensuring that the integrity of the course or program and assessment requiriments and processes are maintained. (Source: Disability Standards for Education 2005)
Requests for adjustments must be made within a reasonable timeframe to allow supports to be organised. Students should make contact with Disability Resources to discuss relevant support needs, ensuring they can be actioned in a timely manner.
Support Workers
Support workers are employed by Disability Resources to assist with the delivery of specific services for individual students with disabilities. They may be engaged in the following roles:
Notetaker; Scribe; Reader; Participation Assistant; Tutor; Academic Tutor; Sign Interpreter
Students receiving the support of a support worker must contact Disability Resources each semester to renew this support, as the amount of support provided may vary depending on the new course requirements.
Tutoring Rooms
The Tutoring/Study room (Toowoomba Campus) is available to registered students with disabilities and their support workers. This is arranged through the Coordinator, Disability Resources and bookings can be made through Student Services Reception.