Students with disabilities are an integral part of the university
community and the quality of the learning opportunities and services
available to them needs to be assured in the same way as it is for
other students. Universities Australia (formerly AVCC) developed Disability Guidelines,
to assist universities in meeting the needs of students with
disabilities across the spectrum of the student experience from
recruitment and selection through to transition to employment.
These guidelines suggest good practice in relation to the main
aspects of university life.
- Policy & Administration - pan-university management, infrastructure and administration.
- Learning & Teaching - teaching, assessment and research aspects of the university.
- Campus Life & Services - provision of other services for students.
A CATS self assessment tool is being developed to provide a
framework for quality assurance which institutions may wish to adapt to
their own needs, cultures and decision-making processes. The resource is being structured into a series of good practice
indicators with accompanying benchmarks and performance indicators. These will identify those key
matters which an institution should, through its own quality assurance
mechanisms, be able to demonstrate it is addressing effectively. The
focus will be on outcomes not processes and it does not assume that
institutions will adopt any particular service delivery model.
It will includes references to a range of useful resources and case
exemplars to assist institutions in maintaining and enhancing the
quality of teaching and support services but does not try to offer
extensive practical advice. Practical strategies for improving teaching and support can be found in other sections of the CATS resource.
The framework for good practice and the self assessment tool will be developed and trialled through an ALTC grant and will be available through this site in early 2009