• Section 1 - Preamble
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Policy
• Section 5 - Procedure
• Prospective students
• Current students disclosing a disability, health or mental condition
• Assessing need and determining reasonable adjustments
• Implementing reasonable adjustments
• Reviewing reasonable adjustments
• Section 6 - Definitions

Section 1 - Preamble

(1) This Procedure is effective from 24 May 2023.

Section 2 - Purpose

(2) This Procedure documents the process for reviewing, determining and implementing reasonable adjustments for a student of the University with a disability, health condition, mental health condition or carer responsibilities to enable them to fully participate in the University environment on the same basis as other students of the University without a disability, health condition, mental health condition or carer responsibilities.

Section 3 - Scope

(3) This Procedure applies to prospective and current students throughout the University.

Section 4 - Policy

(4) This Procedure is pursuant to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy.

Section 5 - Procedure

Prospective students

(5) The University will take measures to ensure a prospective student can seek admission on the same basis as a prospective student without a disability, health or mental health condition, or carer responsibilities. These measures will be achieved by:

1. Deakin providing accessible spaces, systems and platforms for prospective students, and
2. ensuring accessible information regarding: entry requirements, course or program availability (which may include inherent requirements), and progression through courses or programs is made available to all prospective students, enabling them to make informed choices.

Current students disclosing a disability, health or mental condition

(6) Students of the University are not required or obliged to disclose a disability, health or mental health condition; however, the University may not be able to make individual adjustments for students of the University who do not provide documentation of their disability or health condition.

(7) If a student of the University thinks they require individual adjustments, they are encouraged to disclose their disability or health condition as early as possible to the relevant manager, Faculty or organisational area, or the Disability Resource Centre to assess need and recommend adjustments.

(8) Any disability or health condition disclosure will be treated confidentially in accordance with the University's Privacy policy.

(9) Advice and information on disability or health condition legislative obligations, adjustments and funding options is available for students from the Disability Resource Centre in Student Services. In consultation with the student, the Disability Resource Centre or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion may assess need and recommend adjustments.

(10) Students of the University who are unable to discuss their disability or health condition directly with the relevant faculty or organisational unit can contact the Disability Resource Centre in Student Services.

(11) A student of the University with a disability or health condition can bring a support person to any meeting about their disability or health condition-related adjustments.

Assessing need and determining reasonable adjustments

(12) To assess need and recommend adjustments that are required and reasonable, with relevant areas of Deakin University, including but not limited to faculties, Disability Resource Centre and or organisational units, in consultation with the student, will consider:

1. the individual's description of their disability or health condition and their views on adjustments
2. current documentation from the individual's relevant health care professional about their disability or health condition, including the impact of the disability or health condition on their ability to participate in the University environment and any recommendations for adjustments
3. the inherent academic requirements
4. the effect of the adjustment on the individual with a disability or health condition, including the effect on their ability to:
   1. meet the inherent academic requirements; and
   2. participate fully in the University environment
5. any implications of the proposed adjustment on anyone else including other members of the University, the cost, if any, and the benefits of making the adjustment.

(13) Following consultation with the student, the relevant faculty, organisational unit and/or Disability Resource Centre will determine the reasonable adjustment to be implemented.

Implementing reasonable adjustments

(14) Where inclusive practices and adjustments cannot be arranged at a local area, the Disability Resource Centre will document the individual reasonable adjustment(s) and make details available within a reasonable period to:

1. the student of the University with the disability or health condition; and
2. the relevant person, Faculty or organisational unit involved in the implementation of the adjustment.

(15) The relevant Faculty or organisational unit must implement any reasonable adjustment in a timely manner.

(16) The relevant Faculty or organisational unit required to implement the adjustment is responsible for any costs associated with the adjustments. The relevant area should contact the Disability Resource Centre if the adjustment exceeds the resources of the cost-centre, to discuss alternative funding options available through the wider University or through external funding applications.

Section 6 - Definitions

(18) For the purpose of this Procedure:

1. adjustment: as defined in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy.
2. disability: as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and includes physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory, neurological and learning disabilities, physical disfigurement and the presence in the body of disease-causing organisms. It also includes conditions which are permanent or temporary, conditions that people have now, had in the past, may have in the future or which they are believed to have. It also includes people who care for people with disability or health conditions.
3. reasonable adjustment: an adjustment that balances the interests of all parties affected and does not cause the University unjustifiable hardship as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).