The University of Queensland's estimated 800 students with disabilities will benefit from the University's new Disability Action Plan passed late last year by University Senate, the governing body of the University.
The University will establish a Vice-Chancellor's Disability Reference Committee to oversee Plan implementation and make recommendations on policy and strategies on appropriate services to students with disabilities. The Vice-Chancellor's Disability Reference Committee replaces a number of other high level committees established by the University over the past 20 years and will play a coordinating role across the many areas of the University. The establishment of the Committee, with direct access to the Vice-Chancellor, reflects the priority placed on equity issues in the provision of the University of Queensland's education programs.
"The University has a long-standing commitment to assist students with disabilities and takes its obligations seriously," Academic Registrar Neville Lamb said. "The Disability Action Plan represents an integrated and pro-active approach to providing appropriate services and academic accommodations to students. It was devised after extensive consultation across the University and an audit of the effectiveness of existing policies and practices."
The Plan covers areas including student recruitment, admission and enrolment; teaching and learning; student support and infrastructure; the built environment and physical access; student resource issues; unjustifiable hardship; grievance procedures, extramural services and activities; and communication and ongoing evaluation of the Disability Action Plan. Across these areas, the Plan identifies a range of initiatives that will assist the University in providing a quality education in a participatory and inclusive environment.
Student Support Services Director Dr Maureen Burke said the University was committed to providing appropriate services and resources for students with disabilities to ensure equity of access and opportunity for all students.
"While the University has employed people as disability advisers for many years, because of the large nature of the organisation it is important to ensure that activities across the University are coordinated," she said. "The new Plan includes an unambiguous and overarching policy statement on students with disabilities which has been approved by the Senate of the University and incorporated in the University's collection of official policies and procedures. The Plan will ensure that the needs of the increasing number of students who register for support with the University due to disability are addressed."
The new plan has been developed with reference to the relevant State and Commonwealth legislation.
