(1) This policy supports the University's provision of: (2) Western Sydney University is committed to promoting and implementing the principles of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) as amended 2009, the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth) (the Standards), the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), the Disability (Access to Premises – buildings) Standards 2010 (Cth), the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW). These legislative provisions make it unlawful for tertiary institutions to discriminate against people, in the provision of educational and employment opportunities, services and facilities, on the basis that they have, or may have, a disability. Current and prospective students and staff with disability must be able to access and participate in education and employment on the same basis as other students and staff. (3) Western Sydney University recognises its responsibilities under the guidelines of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and associated Regulations and Codes of Practice. The University is committed to ensuring a safe work environment and to ensuring that Work Health and Safety planning and activities also incorporate the requirements of people with disability. (4) This policy applies to all students and staff of the University. Some areas and positions within the University community have specific responsibilities that are outlined in this policy, the Disability procedures, and the University's Accessibility Action Plan. (5) For the purposes of this policy the following definitions apply. Note that the definitions of disability, discrimination, associates, reasonable adjustments and unjustifiable hardship are based on the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). (6) Western Sydney University is committed to developing and supporting an inclusive, accessible and diverse environment which strongly supports the right of people with disability to study and work on an equitable basis with other members of the University community. (7) The University is committed to ensuring that the principles of equal access, participation and opportunity for people with disability is integrated into University policies, procedures, decisions and operations. The University has a range of policies, services and programs to enable students and staff with disability to fully participate in University life and realise their academic or employment potential. (8) The University will support and foster positive and informed behaviour, attitudes and language by students and staff in relation to disability and people with disability. The University will assist staff to develop the disability confidence skills to help meet the learning and support needs of students and staff with disability. (9) The University, its students and staff are required to comply with the provisions and intentions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), relevant Commonwealth and State anti-discrimination legislation and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards). (10) This policy should be read in conjunction with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, and aims to give full effect to the objectives of the relevant legislation outlined at Clause (2). Harassment, discrimination and victimisation of people with disability is not tolerated and the University expects that all students and staff will work together in the spirit of the legislation. (11) The University's Accessibility Action Plan, prepared in accordance with Section 61 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), outlines its strategic priorities, objectives and actions in support of continuous commitment to inclusive practice for all students and staff with disability. Responsible functional areas of the University are required to report regularly against the objectives of the Accessibility Action Plan. (12) The University acknowledges that information provided to it about a person's disability or health status is personal and private. This information will be managed in accordance with the University's Privacy Policy and Privacy Management Plan. (13) Applicants with a disability must meet the academic entry requirements which apply to all students enrolling in the same (14) Students must have the academic and functional ability to complete the chosen (15) All students are required to familiarise themselves with the inherent requirements of a (16) People with disability will be encouraged to apply for positions at the University. All recruitment and selection processes will be inclusive of the requirements of people with disability. This includes processes such as advertising, job design, interviewing and medical assessments. (17) People with disability will have the same terms and conditions by which employment is offered to people without disability. (18) Staff with disability will have equal opportunities for and access to employment opportunities, professional development, promotion and career development. The University will provide appropriate assistance for staff with disability to attend University approved work activities such as staff training, study and conferences. (19) The University embraces the principle of universal design in its planning and design of the study and work environment including facilities and buildings, digital environments, services, work roles and tasks, curricula development and (20) The University will provide resources for appropriately accessible and supportive learning and working environments, including assistive technologies. (21) The University seeks to apply the principle of reasonable adjustment to address barriers to participation in study or work by people with disability, and to carers of people with disability. (22) The University will provide students and staff with disability with appropriate and reasonable adjustments, to enable: (23) Students and staff must be able to meet the inherent requirements of their program of study, subject or position. (24) Reasonable adjustments provided in the learning environment must not lessen the academic integrity and standards of (25) A student or staff member with disability who does not require reasonable adjustments is not obliged to disclose their disability to the University. A student or staff member with disability who requires reasonable adjustments should disclose their need for the adjustment to the University as soon as possible by contacting the Disability Service (for students) or Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing (for staff). (26) The University is committed to ensuring that all University buildings and facilities are accessible to students, staff and the wider community. The University will achieve this through: (27) The University is committed to ensuring accessibility of digital study and work environments. The University will achieve this through an ongoing program of review and improvements of online content, software, systems and programs to ensure compliance with the most current version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and with the needs of students and staff with disability accessing digital environments. (28) The University is committed to including accessibility requirements in the procurement process used in the purchase of goods and services. (29) All staff are required to take responsibility to provide equity for students and other staff members with disability and to undertake their duties in a non-discriminatory manner. In addition, some roles or work units may hold additional responsibilities in the provision of advice, specialist support and services to students and staff with disability. (30) Staff: (31) The University will, as part of its cyclic budget process, determine an appropriate allocation of funding to resource disability support services to students and staff and continue to make available centralised funds (Staff Workplace Adjustment Fund ans Student Disability Adjustment Fund) for the implementation of student and staff reasonable adjustments in line with the University's obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). (32) Funding of adjustments for activities that are additional to the core components of a student or staff member’s (33) The University will determine an appropriate allocation of funding to resource new and ongoing alterations to buildings, grounds and facilities to maintain contemporary standards of accessibility across campuses. (34) The University will determine an appropriate allocation of funding to resource the continuous development of accessibility within digital study and work environments to meet current best practice. (35) Autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies associated with Western Sydney University such as student accommodation, early learning centres and food outlets will be required to ensure continuous improvement in the area of accessibility. In addition to service providers developing strategies of their own, Western Sydney University will also work with stakeholders and service providers to identify strategies for improvement as part of development of the University's Accessibility Action Plan. (36) Students and staff who believe they have been treated unfairly on the grounds of disability are encouraged to make contact with Equity, Diversity and Wellbeing (students and staff), the Disability Service (students), Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing (staff) and/or to use the University procedures outlined in the Complaint Management Policy. Western Sydney University is committed to accessible, fair and confidential processes for the resolution of complaints based on allegations of discrimination on the grounds of disability. (37) Complaints may also be made externally to the Australian Human Rights Commission, the NSW Anti-Discrimintion Board or to the Federal Fair Work Ombudsman. (38) Nil. (39) For further guidance on issues relating to the implementation of this policy, please refer to the Disability Service Web Page, the Work Health Safety and Wellbeing webpage, the Equity and Diversity web page, the Flexibility at Western toolkit, the Academic Staff Agreement 2022 and the Professional Staff Agreement 2022.Disability Policy
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Section 2 - Definitions
Top of Page
Section 3 - Policy Statement
Equity in Student Admission
Equity in Staff Selection and Conditions of Employment
Accessible Study and Work Environments
Staff Responsibilities
Budget Allocation
University Partners
Complaints
Section 4 - Procedures
Section 5 - Guidelines
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