About Bond University

Life at Bond University

Support Services

Disability Support

 

What is a Disability?

The Australian Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines disability as:

  • 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 malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of a 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.

It includes a disability that:

  • Presently exists; or
  • Previously existed but no longer exists; or
  • May exist in the future; or
  • Is imputed to a person.

It is important to note the broadness of this definition as people sometimes limit their understanding of disability to someone who has an obvious physical disability or to someone who has a permanent disability or illness.

For Bond University, a disability includes any impairment or medical condition, which may affect a student's ability to undertake a program of study successfully. Some, such as physical or sensory disabilities, may be obvious, whilst others may not be apparent unless disclosed by the student, for example, diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia or mental health difficulties.

A disability may be permanent, short-term or episodic in nature.

 

Contacting Us

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact Student Services at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs.

Who:

To make an appointment contact the Disability Officer below:

Laura Ryan
Disability Officer
Student Services
Bond University
Gold Coast QLD 4229
Australia

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Phone: +61 7 5595 4014
Fax: +61 7 5595 3313
Email: lryan@bond.edu.au

  

Where:
Level 2, Building 6 (University Centre), beside the Career Development Centre (CDC)

Late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.

If you have a problem, please advise someone.

 

Legislation, Principles and Policies

1992 makes it unlawful for a tertiary education institution to discriminate against a person with a disability on the grounds of disability. The DDA specifically includes learning disability in its definition of disability.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992
www.scaleplus.law.gov.au/html/pasteact/0/311/top.htm

The HEROC (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission)
www.hreoc.gov.au/

 

  • The Disability Standards for Education 2005

Each area below includes a statement of the rightsor entitlements of students with disabilities in relation to education and training, the legal obligations or responsibilities of educational authorities and measures that if implemented will be evidence of compliance with the legislation.

  • Enrolment
  • Participation
  • Curriculum development, accreditation and delivery
  • Student support services and
  • Elimination of harassment and victimisation

Disability Standards for Education 2005

 

 

Procedures for Accessing Services

Identification of needs

Students with disabilities who may require support services are encouraged to disclose their needs at the earliest opportunity. Early identification is particularly important in the case of those students with high support needs, to ensure that support is available before the start of the academic year. Failure to identify, or late notification, may result in resources being unavailable or delayed. Identification will also assist the University in forward planning and identifying areas of need. Although early identification is important, students are welcome to request assistance at any time by contacting the Disability Officer.

Disclosure

If students have concerns about disclosing their disability, then they may like to read the information within this link to help them with their decision: http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/rdlo/disclosure/

Application for Special Requirements

New students must complete a Confidential Application for Special Requirements and submit it with the necessary documentation by the end of Week 4 at the latest. 
Please note that students can no longer apply for Special Consideration.
Special requirements relate specifically to end of semester exams. The time and location of the final exam may be different to those sitting the exam in the Sports Hall. Special Requirement exams are held 30 minutes after centrally scheduled exams and are in Building 06_4_03 and computer exams are held in Building 01_1_72.

Each Faculty is responsible for ensuring accommodations are met for mid semester exams. Students need to check with their Academic Advisor, Lecturer or Tutor, so the Faculty may provide assistance and make the necessary arrangements.

Timelines

End of Week 2 - Cut off date for changes in requirements for Continuing Students.
End of Week 4 - Cut off date for applications and documentation.
End of Week 6 - Student Administration sends an email advising of rescheduled timetable for the final exam. Students need to go to e-student to retrieve their new exam timetable
Start of Week 7 - Advise Disability Officer if there are any problems with notifications for final exams.

 

Documentation

Supporting documentation should be provided by students to support their disability and must be dated and signed by the appropriate health or disability professional, and should be:

  • No more than 2 weeks old for temporary conditions.
  • No more than 6 months old for fluctuating conditions.
  • Yearly for ADD/ADHD or a learning disability (unless considered permanent by the assessing specialist.
  • No more than 3 years old for a learning disability (must have a tertiary/adult emphasis).
  • Unrestricted for a permanent disability.

In addition, the documentation provided should be specific and:

  • State the impairment, mental health or medical condition.
  • Indicate whether the disability is permanent, temporary or fluctuating.
  • Outline the impact on the student.
  • Recommend reasonable accommodations.
  • Clearly identify the health professional and their credentials.
  • Be legible, on a letterhead, dated and signed.

If the documentation does not detail these points it is very difficult to get the support that you may be requesting.

You may opt to use the Special Requirements Medical Certificate if you do not have a Learning Disability. If you have a Learning Disability, then recent and comprehensive testing must have occurred and the reports must be submitted with your application.

Confidentiality and Privacy Issues

We treat the information you provide to us as confidential. Your information is held securely within Student Services.
It is important to indicate your disability at enrolment. This assists the University to provide a responsive and timely service to students with a disability and to justify the need for future funding of such services.

Bond University collects personal information from you for the purpose of providing you with support in your studies. We will also use the information to keep you informed on issues and events that are of particular relevance to students with disabilities, unless you ask us not to.

The Disability Officer will discuss with you in detail how your disability impacts on your capacity to study. The information provided is used to assess your needs, and to facilitate access to, relevant academic and professional staff in your faculty and other areas of the University, for example, the Timetable Coordinator & Examinations Officer in Student Administration. To provide assistance, University staff will need information about the support arrangements you require for examinations, lectures, tutorials and other academic activities.

Privacy principles also permit disclosure in other limited circumstances, for example, in the rare situation where disclosure is required to prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to a person's life or health, or where required by law, for instance, if the information is subpoenaed by a court.

 

Facilities

On-Campus Accommodation

student_residences@bond.edu.au

Some student accommodation with modified bathroom facilities, that accommodate a person using a wheelchair, are available in Student Residences.

Wheelchair accessible toilets (link to Map)

Block

Location

Business

Level 4

Humanities

Level 1

Law

Level 4

Legal Skills

Every Floor

Medicine

Every Floor

Sports Centre

(Air Lock Door to be negotiated)

South Tower

Bottom

University Centre

Level 3

Bond University Library

Bond University Library provides services and facilities to assist customers with disabilities and medical conditions. Assistance for students is based on need which is assessed by Student Services. A designated Library staff member is available to assist customers with special requirements. Further assistance may be provided by special arrangement to meet particular needs.

http://www.bond.edu.au/library/about/facilities/disability.html

For more information, please contact:
Gillian Coutinho
Liaison Librarian for the Faculty of Law
Phone: +61 7 5595 1499
Email: gillian_coutinho@staff.bond.edu.au

Multimedia Learning Centre

http://www.bond.edu.au/library/mlc.html
Level of access as described here will be available in the MLC

English Help Centre

www.bond.edu.au/hss/englishhelp

The English Help Centre, on level 4 in the Humanities building (Building 1a) opposite the lifts, is the place to go to talk to someone about English language problems as well as assignment and presentation help. They’ll show you your mistakes and can give you exercises and study ideas so you can improve. Book in advance on the booking sheets outside the office to get the time you want. You can see them for half an hour each week or they can also suggest tutors if you need more help. Have a look at the website: www.bond.edu.au/hss/englishhelp 

Parking

http://www.bond.edu.au/about/life/campus/security.html

Parking spaces are available for people with a short or long term disability.
Vehicle parking for students and staff is free of charge. Every student regardless of their circumstances must complete a vehicle registration form and obtain a sticker from the Security Office prior to parking on campus.

University Security:
Level One
Student Court
BOND UNIVERSITY QLD 4229

Phone: +61 7 5595 1234 (ext 51234 on campus) 24 hours a day.

Students who require Disabled Parking should have a Queensland Department of Transport parking permit.

 

Emergency procedures

http://www.bond.edu.au/about/life/campus/security.html

It is important to familiarise yourself with the emergency procedures. Building evacuation drills are conducted regularly to enhance safety. All staff and students participate in these exercises. People who have a mobility or other impairment, which would impact on their safe and speedy evacuation, have an obligation to communicate the nature of their disability to the Building Warden and their lecturers prior to any emergency event requiring evacuation.

During an emergency, wardens will assist the person with the disability. Once all other occupants have been evacuated, the person with a disability may be directed to a landing or a fire isolated staircase with a warden or other responsible person until they are evacuated by the Emergency Services.

If you have any queries regarding emergency procedures, contact the Security Manager

University Security:
Level One
Student Court
BOND UNIVERSITY QLD 4229

Phone: +61 7 5595 1234 (ext 51234 on campus) 24 hours a day.

 

Rights and Responsibilities

Students
Every student with a disability has the right to:
1. Equal access to courses, programs, services, jobs, activities and facilities across the University.
2. Reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids determined on a case-by-case basis.
3. Appropriate confidentiality of all information pertaining to her/his disability with the choice of whom to disclose the disability to, except as required by law.
4. Information reasonably available in accessible formats.
Every student with a disability has the responsibility to:
1. Meet the University's qualifications and essential technical, academic and institutional standards.
2. Identify themselves in a timely manner as an individual with a disability when seeking an accommodation or adjustment.
3. Provide documentation from an acceptable professional source that verifies the nature of the disability and the functional limitations resulting from the disability.
4. Follow specific procedures for obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids.

Bond University
Bond University has the right to:
1. Maintain the University's academic standards.
2. Request from a student current documentation completed by an acceptable professional source to verify the need for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids.
3. Discuss a student's need for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids with the professional source of his/her documentation with the student's signed consent authorising such disclosure and discussion.
4. Select from equally effective and appropriate accommodations, adjustments and/or auxiliary aids in consultation with students with disabilities.
5. Deny a request for accommodation, adjustment and/or auxiliary aid if the documentation does not identify a specific disability and/or functional limitation; where the documentation fails to verify the need for the requested services; or the documentation is not provided in a timely manner.
6. Refuse to provide an accommodation, adjustment and/or auxiliary aid that is inappropriate or unreasonable, including any that:

  • pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others
  • constitute a substantial change or alteration to an essential element of a course or program, or
  • pose undue financial or administrative hardship on the University.

Bond University has the responsibility to:
1. Ensure that University courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities, when viewed in their entirety, are offered in the most integrated and appropriate settings.
2. Provide to students with disabilities information regarding policies and procedures and assure its availability in accessible formats
upon request.
3. Evaluate students on their abilities, not their disabilities.
4. Provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids for students with a disability upon a timely request by a student.
5. Maintain appropriate confidentiality of records and communication concerning students with a disability except where the disclosure is required by law or authorised by the student.
More specifically, the Bond University's Student Services personnel have the responsibility to:
1. Assist students with a disability to self-identify and meet University criteria for eligibility to receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids determined on a case-by-case basis.
2. Assure confidentiality of all information pertaining to a student's disability.
3. Inform students with a disability of University policies and procedures for filing a formal grievance internally and/or through external agencies (e.g. Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission or the Anti-Discrimination Commission in Queensland).

 

Physical Access

The University will endeavour to make its facilities accessible to all students. In particular, all new buildings are designed and constructed in accordance with the appropriate Australian standards. All major renovations are checked for accessibility and there is an ongoing exercise to make all established buildings accessible for students with a disability

 

Resources & Useful links

Equity

Blind/Vision Impaired

Adaptive Technology

Disabilities - Education

Disabilities - Employment

Disabilities - General

WWWeb

Accessibility

Other

  • ADCET – The Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training provides up to date and comprehensive information about inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services for people with disabilities in post secondary education and training. http://www.adcet.edu.au/
  •  Creating Accessible Teaching and Support (CATS) - The CATS Project has established a framework for good practice that provides information and resources to assist universities to create equitable access for students with disability and to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and the Disability Standards for Education. The framework includes a Self Assessment tool to assist universities to review performance against benchmarks. http://www.adcet.edu.au/cats/default.aspx

Section A provides a context for disability issues and reviews the legal obligations of universities under State and Federal legislation to make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of students with disabilities. It provides some key understandings of terms used in the legislation and examines some disabling myths and assumptions about disability.

Section B looks at inclusive practice and universal design and provides tips on how to make your courses inclusive.

Section C examines accommodations for students with disabilities. It looks at the functional impact of specific disabilities (e.g. psychiatric, learning, medical, mobility, vision, hearing and speech) in the learning environment and effective teaching and assessment strategies for these groups.

Section D focuses on alternative assessment for students with disabilities.

Section E examines practices that support accessibility in on-line teaching,

Section F provides practical guidelines for assisting people with specific disabilities.

Section G has Frequently Asked questions and a list of additional Resources that staff may find useful in helping them to support students with disabilities

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 and their application in the Tertiary Education Sector, Mr Graeme Innes AM, 30th October, 2007

Graeme is a lawyer and a Human Rights Commissioner responsible for Disability Discrimination with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.  It may be helpful to have a listen when it is up on their website – it related to The Disability Standards for Education 2005 and their application in the Tertiary Education Sector.

Some issues addressed include the admission of students who may not be able to complete course requirements, disclosure of disability, reasonable adjustments of workloads, curriculum development, systemic indirect discrimination, placements, duty of care and WHS in placements, harassment policies, recording of lectures and creating an environment that supports rather that challenges a student with a disability.