What is Disability? 

The definition of ‘Disability’ under the Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is very broad to encompass physical, sensory, mental and intellectual disability.

'Disability', in relation to a person, means:

• total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions or
• total or partial loss of a part of the body or
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness or
• the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness or
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body or
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from
  a person without the disorder or malfunction or
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or that results in disturbed behaviour

and includes a disability that:

• presently exists; or
• previously existed but no longer exists; or
• may exist in the future; or
• is imputed to a person¹

Many students may not realise that their condition, illness or injury may be considered a disability under anti-discrimination legislation.

Students with a disability within this definition may be eligible to specialist support and provisions from their further education or training provider.  

References

1 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwth) (Aust.). http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/dda1992264/index.html#s