Disability Services / Information for Staff

Information for staff

This page provides information about students with a disability, if you are a staff member who has a disability specific information is available at the Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit.

You can also find more information regarding relevant legislation and policy here.

If you have a student who has a disability and requires adjustments or support it is important to:

  • Check the student is registered with Disability Services
  • Make contact with Disability Services if you have any concerns about the recommended adjustments.
  • Review the Staff FAQs for more information.

As a staff member it is important to be aware of the following:

Staff FAQs

Who can register with Disability Services?
A student who has a disability as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), AND whose disability impacts or in the case of prospective students has the potential to impact on the student’s University studies in some way, AND the student has supporting documentation i.e. medical documentation describing the disability and any corresponding need for services and/or adjustments.

When should students contact Disability Services?
It is preferable that students contact Disability Services prior to commencing study, to ensure there is sufficient time for any modifications to be put in place. Students can contact Disability Services at any time prior to their application or admission to the University of Sydney for information on the types of services that may be available. While early registration is preferable, students can certainly register with Disability Services at any time during their course of study.

How do students register with Disability Services?
Students must make an appointment with a Disability Services Officer and bring supporting documentation and other pertinent information, including details of their current enrolled courses (name, unit code and lecturer/tutor.)

If a student has a mental health condition, can they register with Disability Services?
Yes, mental health conditions are included in the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). A significant number of students registered with Disability Services have mental health conditions.

If a student has a temporary disability, can they register with Disability Services?
Yes. If a student has a temporary disability (i.e broken limb, affected mobility, short term medical conditions) that impact on their ability to study or undertake examinations they may be eligible for support from Disability Services. The student must make an appointment with a Disability Services Officer and bring supporting documentation. It is beneficial for students to register if they require examination adjustments, for example a scribe. If they are unable to sit for an exam they will need to submit Special Consideration.

Can an international student register with Disability Services?
Yes, providing they meet the criteria of a student who can register. Please note that the assistance and support a student received at their home institution may not be the same as those available in Australia. It is advisable not to make informal arrangements with a student based on their advice of previous support, they should be referred to Disability Services

A student has nominated that they have a disability on their enrolment form, does this mean they are registered with Disability Services?
No, this is for statistical purposes and is collected by the University as a whole. This information is not referred to Disability Services, the student must follow the procedure for registering to receive assistance and support.

What services are available through Disability Services?
Services that are available, depending on the students’ circumstances, include:
- Letter of introduction
- Assistive Technology
- Library Support Services
- Resting Rooms
- Lockers
- Access Provisions for students with physical disabilities
- T-Loops for students with hearing impairments
- Assignment extensions
- Notetaking Services
- Exam Adjustments
- Loan of Equipment
- Parking
- University Bus Service
- Travel Concessions

What kind of supporting documentation are students required to provide to Disability Services?
Students must provide supporting documentation that is current, from their consulting specialist and include:

- referring doctor’s name, contact details and address
- nature of the condition/s (including specifications i.e. the extent of vision loss; how far you can walk unaided and if the condition is temporary how long it is likely to persist).
- how study may be affected (i.e. unable to write, unable to walk up stairs, unable to hear lecturers, impacts of anxiety or depression)
- any medication that may affect an ability to study;
- any medical attention necessary (such as assistance required due to diabetes, epilepsy or a heart condition);
- any particular assistance that the student is seeking (such as more time on examinations or use of assistive technologies).

The information a student provides is restricted, and is protected under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1988 (NSW), the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) and the University of Sydney Privacy Policy and Plan. In most instance Disability Services will not be required to share or disclose personal information provided by students regarding their condition or disability.

Are students required to inform academic staff of their disability?
Disclosure of a disability is a personal choice, it is up to the individual to make a decision on what information, if any, they would like to inform academic staff. We recommend that should students require ongoing adjustments and support they inform academic staff, though this is not compulsory. Students with any concerns should be referred to Disability Services for advice.

Is there anyone I can contact in my Faculty?
Yes. All faculties/schools have a staff member appointed as a Student Disability Liaison Officer (SDLO) who assists students registered with Disability Services with any academic concerns they may have. The SDLO can advise staff as required.

What resources for teaching and learning may be useful if I have a student with a disability?
There is specific information available for teaching staff about inclusive teaching practices.

The Creating Accessible Teaching and Support (CATS) project was funded by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching to improve the quality of teaching and support for students with a disability.

WebCATS provides information for academics, administrators and support staff and has been structured around a series of good practice indicators with accompanying benchmarks. It includes reference to a range of useful resources and case exemplars to assist you to maintain and enhance the quality of teaching and support for students with a disability.

A student is frequently submitting requests for Special Consideration. Should I refer them to Disability Services?
If a student frequently submits applications for Special Consideration on medical grounds you can refer to Disability Services for advice on wether the student may be eligible to register for support. If the student is eligible to register, Disability Services can advise the student of relevant services, including when they would need to apply for Special Consideration, such as supplementary exams, and when they should liaise with Disability Services directly, such as assignment extensions.
Special consideration is not appropriate for long term conditions where students will benefit from having relevant support structures in place which can be provided by Disability Services.

A student has advised me they have a very serious mental health condition that is preventing them from participating in course work, how should I respond?
The student should be referred to Counselling Services for psychological support, and, Disability Services for academic adjustments.

How are reasonable adjustments determined by Disability Services?
Reasonable adjustments are determined via consultation with the student; by considering the advice provided by a medical practitioner and balancing that with the inherent requirements of the students course of study; through discussion with Faculty staff as required; and in line with the Disability Standards for Education 2005.

What if I am concerned with the reasonable adjustments determined by Disability Services?
If you have concerns about the recommended adjustments you can contact the Disability Services Officer in the first instance. For further advice, you can contact the Manager of Disability Services or the Head Equity Support Services to discuss the adjustments.

A student in my class has given me a letter of introduction from Disability Services, what are my responsibilities?
The letter of introduction is provided to you either by the student directly or electronically from Disability Services. Its purpose is to alert you to the needs of the student, and the types of adjustments and support Disability Services will be providing. In most instances no immediate action is required other than taking in to consideration the recommendations, and maintaining an awareness of the students needs. Where possible, it is appreciated if you can acknowledge receipt of the documents to the student, and check if there is any additional impacts that you should be aware of. It is advisable not to ask the student what there disability is, they will disclose this information if it is necessary. For any queries or concerns on the content of a letter of introduction please contact Disability Services.

A student with a disability will be commencing a practicum and I am concerned that their condition may effect their ability to complete it, what should I do?
In the first instance you should approach the student in a discreet manner and discuss any concerns that you have. This should be done well in advance of the commencement of the practicum. You should check for any special requirements the student may have, and if they are registered with Disability Services. If required, a meeting can be arranged academic staff, the student and Disability Services to discuss the practicum requirements. A Disability Services Officer will be able to assist in arranging this meeting.

Disability Services has emailed me a recommendation for an assignment extension, what are my obligations?
Requests for assignment extensions are referred by Disability Services after receiving a formal request from the student that outlines how their condition has been exacerbated, and in line with supporting documentation retained on file. Standard extensions are for one week only. It is generally expected that the recommendation by Disability Services will be approved by the academic staff member, where by you are required to email the student confirmation of the updated due date. The request from Disability Services can be taken as a formal notification and an additional application for Special Consideration is not required. In some instances requests for extensions may be more than one week. This will be determined by a Disability Services Officer in consultation with academic staff.

If, however, you have concerns with a request please contact Disability Services in the first instance prior to contacting the student.

A student has requested permission to record a lecture, what are my obligations?
Disability Services can arrange the loan of a recorder for eligible students who are unable to effectively take their own notes. In all instances Disability Services informs the student that they must seek permission to record from academic staff directly.

At times, recording of lectures can be essential for a student to have adequate access to course information. In addition to loaning a recorder, Disability Services may recommend that academic staff make arrangements to record a lecture with AV in order to improve accessibility for students.

If you have concerns about material being recorded and it has been noted as a reasonable adjustment for a student registered with Disability Services please contact Disability Services.

What are some additional support requirements for students with a hearing or vision impairment?
Additional support requirements include:
- Lectures/tutorials held in rooms with hearing loops
- Use of a microphone/FM system
- Access to handouts and powerpoint presentations in advance, in an electronic format
- Alternate formats for examination papers
- Tutorial support
- Avoidance of excessive noise
- Speaking clearly and directly to students who rely on lip reading

Review further information on vision and hearing.

Are Disability Services involved in any university projects and committees?
Projects that Disability Services are currently involved in include:
- Disclosure consent for practicums
- Disability Consultative committee
- Student Assistive Technology operational group
- A pilot of Academic Plans with the Faculty of Economics and Business
- A pilot of in-department final examinations coordinated by the Examinations Office
- Setting Directions – a cross institutional initiative

Who do I contact?
You can contact the Manager of Disability Services or the Head Equity Support Services if you require any further information about these current projects or seek participation/advice from Disability Services in relation to any Faculty matters.

Disability Services - http://www.usyd.edu.au/stuserv/disability/contact.shtml


Please note the following information regarding exams does not apply to the Cumberland campus - arrangements are coordinated by the Examinations Branch.

I have received a request from Disability Services for exam adjustments for an in-department exam, what are my obligations?
As a lecturer/tutor, on receipt of a recommendation from Disability Services for adjustments for an in-department exam it is your responsibility to:

- Coordinate all arrangements as outlined by Disability Services – some schools/departments may have an administrative officer to facilitate this.
- Confirm arrangements with the student via email, in particular noting any room or time change to the scheduled exam
- Assistive technology – This can be arranged in coordination with Disability Services.

The letter always recommends separate supervision, what if I cannot provide this?
Where possible, separate supervision should be provided for the student, though it is understood that this is not always feasible. Separate supervision is essential when:

- A student is using a reader or scribe
- A student is using any form of assistive technology that could disrupt students in the main examination

In an instance where you have several students undertaking the same examination requiring extra time it is appropriate to seat them together.

How do I find a scribe, and what are my obligations?
Disability Services has a register of trained scribes that can be provided on request. It is the obligation of the faculty to arrange payment of the scribe. The current payment level is Earning Code EO3 for a scribe, and Earning Code EO2 for a reader. Further information on payment is available on the HR intranet.

Please contact Disability Services to obtain the contact details of available scribes for your faculty.

Can an exam be supervised through Disability Services?
No. Disability Services does not have the resources to supervise an exam, it is the responsibility of each Faculty/Department to manage their own supervision for in-department exams.

Will I be responsible for coordinating arrangements for students end of semester exams?
With the exception of a small number of exams, Disability Services introduced a pilot program with the Examinations Office from Semester 2, 2007 whereby students requirements for end of semester exams, including most in-department end of semester exams, are managed by the Examinations Office. All examiners are notified of the students' arrangements/ requirements via email by the exams office and the only requirement from the examiner is providing the exam paper to the Examinations Office. Examiners do have the option of making their own
arrangements for the student if they do not wish for the exams office to
facilitate the in-department exam.

Practical exams, oral exams, Faculty of Health Sciences and Conservatorium of Music exams are presently not coordinated by the Examinations Office.

If a student has more time in an examination how is this equitable for other students?
Extra time in an examination is an adjustment recommended by Disability Services after consideration of a student’s condition, and the impact the condition has on the student’s ability to undertake an examination, in conjunction with supporting medical documentation.

Further information

This page also has further information about:

Inclusive teaching practices

There is specific information available for teaching staff about inclusive teaching practices.

The Creating Accessible Teaching and Support (CATS) project was funded by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching to improve the quality of teaching and support for students with a disability.

WebCATS provides information for academics, administrators and support staff and has been structured around a series of good practice indicators with accompanying benchmarks. It includes reference to a range of useful resources and case exemplars to assist you to maintain and enhance the quality of teaching and support for students with a disability.

What assistance is available to me to determine reasonable adjustments?

Disability Services staff can assist you determine reasonable adjustments for a student without compromising the academic integrity of the unit of study. Contact the Coordinator for further information about support and assistance available.

What if I have concerns?

If you have concerns about the recommended adjustments you can contact the Manager of Disability Services or the Head Equity Support Services to get more information.

Each faculty also has a Student Disability Liaison Officer (SDLO) who assists students within their faculty who are registered with Disability Services.