Student Equity and Inclusion Services

Students with a disability (or students who are carers of a person with a disability) or medical condition can access this free and confidential service. A range of supports are offered to assist students to engage in their studies on the same basis as a student without a disability in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth)

The support services can include:

• assessment and provision of advice on reasonable adjustments
• provision of inclusive technology and software
• provision of specialised equipment
• access to specialised educational support staff
• referral to internal or external support services
• pre-admission advice on inherent requirement

The team is also a point of contact for Academic staff to provide expert advice on disability related matters.

To access the support services provided by Student Equity and Inclusion you need to register via appointment with an Inclusion Support Advisor. If you are a new student or a current student who is registering for the first time, you must do so by the relevant dates below. If you register after these dates, your adjustments will not take effect until the following study period.

Two key documents are essential to your registration.

1. Disclosure

The first step towards registering with Student Equity & Inclusion is making the decision to disclose your disability. It is important to understand that this disclosure is limited and shared with your consent for the purpose of implementing reasonable adjustments. Your personal information is treated with respect and confidentiality is maintained at all times.

Complete and sign the Permission to release information form

2. Supporting documentation

Supporting documentation should be comprehensive and where appropriate include information pertaining to the nature of the impairment and/or medical condition and the associated impacts that it may have on your ability to study. It may include recommendations of possible strategies to assist you. These recommendations will be considered but may not be implemented as prescribed.

The documentation may be provided as follows:

• On the approved Practitioner's Report OR

• In the form of a letter from an appropriate medical professional (see table below). If you are providing a letter from a medical professional you must ensure that it is printed on official letterhead and contains the Practitioner’s signature, provider number and contact details.

Additionally:

• Depending on the nature of your condition, you may be required to update your medical documentation periodically during your studies.

Appropriate Medical Professional — supporting documentation

To access the support services provided by Student Equity and Inclusion you will need to register via appointment with an Inclusion Support Advisor. 

What to complete prior to the appointment

1. 1. Permission to release information form
   2. Practitioner's Report OR other supporting documentation 

Book an appointment

Phone: 02 6626 9514

Email: inclusion@scu.edu.au

Appointments are currently conducted by phone, zoom or face to face.

At this appointment, the Inclusion Support Advisor will review your documentation, your learning supports will be negotiated with you and recorded in MyEnrolment. 

Once you have submitted the necessary supporting documentation and met with an Inclusion Support Advisor, your registration is complete and the following steps occur:

1. Any reasonable adjustments that have been negotiated with you are documented in My Enrolment.
2. The details of your approved adjustments are shared with your Lecturers at the beginning of each term.
3. Your Learning supports may be reviewed periodically - you will be advised in writing when this is necessary.

You are encouraged to communicate with your lecturer about your reasonable adjustments early in each term to facilitate a clear understanding of what is being provided.

Students with disability have rights which are protected and enforced under the DDA and the Disability Standards for Education.

Students with a disability have a right to:

• choose whether they disclose their disability;
• be consulted about their needs;
• participate in courses offered by SCU, including fieldwork and placement components;
• use the services and facilities at SCU on the same basis as other students;
• access specialised services to enable their participation;
• reasonable adjustments to support their access and participation in their studies on the same basis as students without disability;
• an environment which is free from all forms of harassment or discrimination;
• be treated with dignity and respect; and
• the opportunity to contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures and practices which impact on their lives.

In addition to this, students with disability must ensure that they:

• abide by all relevant policies at SCU;
• use the services that have been provided to them in a fair and honest manner;
• share responsibility for the negotiation and implementation of reasonable adjustments; and
• make early contact with the university to discuss support arrangements.