Disclosure is very personal decision and a
decision that only you can make. Listed below are a number of factors to
consider in making your decision. It is important to remember that you are
not
obliged to disclose your disability. However staff
at tertiary institutions cannot provide you with any supports or services to
accommodate the effect of your disability if you do not tell them. Where a
student has chosen not to disclose their disability teaching and other staff
are not responsible for providing a student with education
related adjustments or services.
There are many
advantages to disclosing to ensure that you receive any
assistance
accommodations/supports that you may need to undertake tertiary
study. Advantages include:
- obtaining
access to services such as
accommodations/ adjustments to courses
facilities and supports
- better
relationships with staff
- the
negotiation and implementation of reasonable adjustments
- increased
confidence about your studies
- the
opportunity to meet people with similar experiences through disclosure
- improved
relationships with others by being honest about who you are
- ensuring
that tertiary providers are responsive to the needs of all other
students with disabilities and/or medical conditions by making your
needs known
- receiving
advice on advocacy
- not being
seen as a difficult student
- being
better understood and accepted and receiving more emotional support
If you are not
sure whether you are likely to need support services during your tertiary
education and are undecided whether you should disclose your disability
it is a good idea to have a confidential chat with
disability staff.
Some of the disadvantages to disclosing may
include:
- apprehension regarding less support being available
- other
people feel threatened, due to ignorance and personal experience
- the burden
of having to explain disability
- the fear
of discrimination
- feelings
of rejection
- the fear
of being singled out
-
misunderstanding by others of the impact of your disability and/or
-
medical condition
Disability
staff - to arrange any
supports that you may
need and to advocate on your behalf if necessary
Lecturers - to make appropriate accommodations to their teaching and
assessment practices
Other students
- so they understand why you are receiving
support for your study and to support you
Administrative
staff - to assist you with processing applications such as
Disability Parking Permits