Introduction

The following guidelines outline the standard of documentary evidence required by Australian Catholic University of students seeking disability services. The guidelines are designed to help students, disability staff and relevant qualified professionals to understand what information is required to establish appropriate disability services.

The provision of all disability services, facilities, adjustments and services is based upon a documented assessment of the impact of the student’s disability or medical condition on his or her academic performance at a given time in the student’s life.

Appropriate documentation (in conjunction with an interview with the Disability Adviser) assists the student and the University to determine what facilities, services, learning, teaching and assessment adjustments may be reasonable, considering the purpose of the institution and the requirements of relevant legislation.

In determining services, facilities and adjustments with the Disability Adviser, the student must be able to present the appropriate documentation.

Guidelines

When providing documentation to the University, students should ensure that it is

·  current - that is, in most cases, no more than three years old;

·  provided and signed by a clearly identified, qualified professional who preferably has a comprehensive knowledge of, and experience in the particular field of impairment or health referred to, and who is not related to the student.

When requesting documentation from an appropriate professional such as a doctor, medical specialist, psychologist, or physiotherapist, students should request that it be

·  comprehensive - it should provide a clear assessment of functional limitations or difficulties in relation to academic performance including recommendations for, and reasons for, adjustments;

·  legible - on the professional’s letterhead, and dated.

If you are concerned about your ability to provide the appropriate documentation, contact your Disability Adviser

In addition

Students with a Learning Disability (LD) should provide the following:

·  evidence of a clinical assessment conducted by a qualified professional such as an educational or neuro-psychologist, school psychologist or LD specialist using recognised valid, reliable and standardised tests. The professional conducting the assessment should not be related to the student;

·  a report of the assessment including a comprehensive summary and information (with standard scores or percentiles) about the student’s aptitude, academic achievement and areas of information processing deficit (e.g. short and long-term memory, sequential memory, auditory and visual perception/processing, processing speed, executive functioning and motor ability). The report should include recommendations, and reasons for adjustments.

Students with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) should provide the following:

·  evidence of a clinical interview with a relevantly qualified professional;

·  clear evidence of a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD which results in functional limitations in a learning environment, based on the criteria published in the DSM IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

Students with a temporary injury, illness or exacerbation of a pre-existing condition which occurs at a crucial time during the academic year (e.g. exam period, field placements etc) must provide a medical certificate from an appropriately qualified specialist (e.g. orthopaedic surgeon, psychiatrist etc), or a General Practitioner who is familiar with their medical history.

This documentation should specify

  1. the dates or the timeframe for which the student is expected to be affected by the condition;
  1. the nature of the injury/illness/condition and associated limitations on the student’s academic performance;
  1. recommendations for adjustments.

*These guidelines are adapted from RMIT University’s “Documentary Guidelines for Students with Disabilities”.

Disability Advisers

ACT (Canberra Campus)

Trevor Ianna

223 Antill Street, Watson ACT 2602

P.O Box 256, Dickson ACT 2602

Tel: (02) 6209 1170 / Fax: (02) 6209 1180

Email:

NSW (Strathfield Campus)
Alicia Leary and Emma Harris

25A Barkers Road / Locked Bag 2002

Strathfield NSW 2135

Tel: (02) 9701 4300 / Fax: (02) 9701 4233

Email:

NSW (North Sydney Campus)

Bronwen Whyatt

40 Edward Street / P.O Box 968

North Sydney NSW 2059

Tel: (02) 9739 2370 / Fax: (02) 9739 2458

Email:

QLD (Brisbane Campus)

Brigitte White

1100 Nudgee Road, Banyo Qld 4014

P.O Box 456, Virginia Qld 4014

Tel: (07) 3623 7248 / Fax: (07) 3623 7497

Email:

VIC (Ballarat Campus)

Nicole Humphrey

1200 Mair Street /PO Box 650

Ballarat VIC 3353

Tel: (03) 5336 5343/ Fax: (03) 5336 5305

Email:

VIC (Melbourne Campus)

Michelle Pearlman and Anthony Williams

115 Victoria Parade / Locked Bag 4115 DC

Fitzroy VIC 3065

Tel: (03) 9953 3413 / Fax: (03) 9953 3145

Email: