Disability Services
Guidelines for Teaching
Staff are encouraged to consider the strategies to achieve objective 4 in the CSU Disability Action Plan: “to provide an inclusive learning environment”.
| Strategies | Desired Outcomes | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 Promote the use of, and provide wherever practical, teaching, curriculum and assessment practices that are inclusive, flexible and responsive to the requirements of students with disabilities in ways that respect student dignity and privacy. | Meet individual needs to aid in the achievement of optimum outcomes for students with disabilities. | Heads of Schools, Education Designers, Subject Coordinators |
| 4.2 Flexible timetabling will provide improved access to locations for students and staff with disabilities. | Through flexible timetabling and improved access to facilities, provide for the optimum participation of students with disabilities. | Staff responsible for timetabling within Schools |
| 4.3 Offer academic assessment in applicable alternative formats. | Suitable academic assessment accommodations provided for students with disabilities. | Disability Liaison Officers, Academic staff, Student Administration |
| 4.4 Monitor current practices relating to Variation to Assessment. | Provide timely and efficient provision of suitable assessment accommodations for students with disabilities. | Exams Office |
The University through its staff is obliged to provide reasonable adjustment for students with disabilities. The types of adjustment considered to be reasonable, and would not compromise the academic rigour of the subject or course, are given as ‘best practice’ in the Code of Practice as well as in other publications listed in the Legal and policy obligations section of this website.
The Monash University disability site also has guidelines for teaching staff which focus on specific disabilities.
Inclusive Practices
The original guide produced in 1993 was called Reasonable Accommodations and has been rewritten and updated as Inclusive Practices, an oldie but a goodie. It is a good starting point for academic staff working with students with a disability.
ADCET has several resources on teaching and assessment.
Assessment is an important part of the teaching and learning process, and it may be where the student’s disability will have the most impact on their overall success. Staff are referred to the material under the heading of alternative assessment on the current website.
Staff often find that students with learning disabilities are a special kind of problem in the higher education environment. The resource Opening All Options takes a very comprehensive look at learning disabilities and how best to assist students who have LD in one of its forms.