Disability and accessibility, diversity inclusion, disability services - About

Disability and accessibility support Curtin access plans (CAPs) Mentoring for students with autism or related conditions

Staff

Staff members with disability or injuries can access a range of services and support (login required).

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Visitors

Visitors can access campus accessibility information and assistance.

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Legislation

Federal and state legislation cover how disabilities are to be addressed in education.

Federal legislation

Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth)

Section 22 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 relates to education. The Act makes it unlawful for education providers to discriminate against a student on the basis of disability in relation to admission, access, and harassment.

A 2005 amendment to the Act directs that all curricula must be inclusive.

Disability Standards for Education and Guidance Notes 2005

The primary purpose of the Disability Standards for Education is to clarify the obligations of education and training service providers under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the rights of people with disabilities in relation to education and training. This legislation is most relevant to provision of university education for students with disabilities.

For more information, visit:

Western Australian legislation

Disability Services Act 1993

The Disability Services Act 1993 applies to the provision of services to people with disabilities within Western Australia and mandates specific requirements in relation to Disability Access and Inclusion Plans.

More information

For more information about disability rights, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

Policies

These policies are relevant to students, staff and visitors with disabilities at Curtin.

The following policies can be found in our policies database:

Accessible Information Policy and Procedures
Admission and Enrolment Manual
Assessment and Student Progression Manual
Complaints Procedures
Disclosure of Personal Information Procedures
Diversity in the Workplace Procedures
Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Fieldwork Policy and Procedures
Illness, Disability and Injury Management Procedures
Students with Disability Policy and Procedures
Worker’s Compensation, Injury Management and Disability Policy

Guidelines

Inherent course requirements guidelines

The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training provides guidelines and procedures to assist universities to examine the inherent requirements of their courses.

Universities Australia guidelines

Universities Australia, formerly known as the Australian Vice Chancellor’s Committee (AVCC), has produced 2 sets of guidelines relating to students with disabilities.

Guidelines Relating to Students with a Disability (May 2006)

Key principles underpinning the 2006 guidelines:

Universities will uphold academic standards such that students graduate with the requisite skills and knowledge associated with the degree.
Universities provide students with a disability with the opportunity to realise their academic and social potential and to participate fully in university life.

Guidelines on information access for students with print disabilities (November 2004)

The 2004 guidelines apply to the provision of information in accessible formats for students who have difficulty reading, holding or comprehending print based material. The guidelines relate to:

provision of student assistance
teaching materials
Internet access
encouraging inclusivity
equipment and technology
practical classes and practicum placements
policy implementation.

Disability and accessibility

Support services

Students