Students with disability

Students with disability are those who self-identify upon enrolment via a positive response when asked if they have disability, impairment or (a) long term medical condition/s.

Resources relevant to students with disability on the NCSEHE website:

Other links:

  • ADCET Webinar: Meeting the needs of our Indigenous students with disability — The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) presented this webinar in May 2019. Sharon Kerr, Leader Education and Training with the Centre for Disability Studies was the presenter. If you have questions about how your institution can better support the access needs and engagement of Indigenous students with a disability, this webinar is for you.
  • Australian Disability and Indigenous Peoples’ Education Fund — This fund assists Indigenous and non-Indigenous people with disability to participate in both formal and informal education programs through small grants.
  • Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) — ADCET supports disability practitioners, teachers and learning support staff in their work with people with disability or medical conditions in post-secondary education, training and employment. It also provides information and resources in areas such as inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services, and information and resources that may be helpful to students.
  • Create Your Future: Personal stories of disability in study and work (via ADCET) — These original short films depict the real-life stories of six men and women with various disabilities through different stages of transition and participation in post-secondary education and employment.
  • Disability and a Good Life: Thinking through Disability — The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Future Learn offer this free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), aimed at beginners and experts who want to raise their awareness of disability and disability-related issues within a global context.
  • Disability and a Good Life: Working with Disability — Another UNSW and Future Learn MOOC, this course explores a human rights approach to disability and examines how disability politics and policy, advocacy and activism can inform what we mean by “a good life”.
  • First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN) — A national organisation of, and for, Australia’s First Peoples with disability, their families and communities. The organisation proactively engages with communities around Australia and advocate for the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability in Australia and internationally.
  • Health Practitioner Reports and Access Plans (via ADCET) — You may require some study related reasonable adjustments or supports to assist you with your post-secondary education or training. Most providers will have a disability practitioner employed in the student support services area to assist develop a unique access plan that will outline the reasonable adjustments and support to assist you participate in your studies.
  • How to Transition to Tertiary Education: Helpful hints for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (via ADCET) — Coping with change and transition can be difficult for many people, and if you are on the Autism Spectrum you may find it particularly challenging. These booklets discuss many changes to expect, but cannot predict all possible changes you may experience. Each university or TAFE is different; each campus is different; the staff are different; the students are different; and the way you experience it may be different as well. Nevertheless, a good logical approach to planning will help you cope with the transition.
  • Preparing for higher education: a Victorian guide for students with a disability (3.05Mb) — Prepared by the National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program and made available via ADCET, this guide is designed to be a comprehensive resource for students with a disability, learning difficulty and/or or chronic medical conditions who are thinking about going to university.
  • The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Pre-planning Toolkit — Designed for people with disability entering higher education or Vocational Education and Training (VET), to be used before you start a tertiary course at university or with a VET provider.