Creating Accessible Teaching and Support

An adjustment is a measure or action taken to assist a student with a disability to participate in education and training on the same basis as other students.

The DDA through the Disability Standards for Education requires institutions to take reasonable steps to enable the student with a disability to participate in education on the same basis as a student without a disability. An adjustment is reasonable if it balances the interests of all parties affected.  

If a person with disability needs some adjustment to be able to participate equally in university life, and that adjustment could reasonably have been provided but was not, then a finding of indirect discrimination could follow.

In assessing whether a particular adjustment is reasonable consideration should be given to:

• the student’s disability and his/her views
• the effect of the adjustment on the student, including effect on his/her ability to achieve learning outcomes, participate in courses or programs and achieve independence
• the effect of the proposed adjustment on anyone else affected, including the education provider, staff and other students and
• the costs and benefits of making the adjustment.

As a result, what constitutes "reasonable" varies on a case by case basis and the balance is sometimes difficult to strike.  However, it is clear that education providers are not required to lower academic standards or disregard the needs staff or other students. In more complex cases discussion with the disability service will be useful. It may be useful to examine previous judgements in relation to the DDA.

Ensure that the core requirements of the course/program are are clearly stated. This makes it easier to determine the reasonableness of any accommodations that may be required.  You should not lower academic standards of the course/unit in order to accommodate the needs of any student but you may need to be flexible in relation to the way in which the program is delivered or assessed.

If the student is unable to fulfil the core requirements of the course after reasonable accommodations have been made it may be reasonable in these circumstances to reject the student's application. Remember that it is not illegal to discriminate if this is done fairly but you must demonstrate that you have consulted with the student, considered all possible adjustments and sought expert assistance in coming to a decision.

The student may be able to complete an alternative course of study more appropriate to their abilities. The disability liaison officer can assist in making this assessment.

• modifications to physical environment eg installing a lift
• changes to course design eg substituting an assessment task
• changes in lecture schedules and arrangements eg relocating classes to an accessible venue
• modifications to computer equipment in the library
• provision of information or course materials in accessible format eg  a text book in in braille
• changes in teaching practices eg wearing an FM microphone to enable a student to hear lectures
• supply of specialised equipment or services eg a notetaker for a student who cannot write