People with Disabilities
UTS is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive employment environment for people with disabilities.
Staff with disabilities have the right to:
- Apply for and be fairly considered for jobs on the basis of merit
- Access the full range of training and developmental opportunities
- Have equitable access to all employment benefits and conditions, and the full range of University services
- Reasonable workplace adjustments
- Invite an Equity & Diversity Unit or Human Resources Unit observer to their interview or promotional panel to advise on adjustments for the interview and the position
- Not be harassed about their disability
A number of policies, services, and initiatives are available to assist staff with disabilities, including:
Workplace Disability Fund - provides financial support for workplace adjustments and specialised equipment for staff with disabilities.
Accessible Parking - available for staff, students and visitors with disabilities.
EEO observation - Equity & Diversity Unit or Human Resources Unit can provide an observer at interviews to advise on adjustments for staff with disabilities and equal opportunity rights.
Access to the Built Environment - UTS aims to achieve best practice in access to the built environment. Accessible facilities at UTS include accessible parking, toilets, lecture halls and teaching spaces. The UTS Accessible Environments Policy ensures that all new facilities are designed to be accessible, and remedial works are regularly carried out where required. For further information, see related links.
Disability Action Plan - Through its Disability Action Plan, UTS aims to provide equitable access to all available education and employment opportunities at the University.
Staff E-Mail Network - Equity & Diversity Unit maintains a confidential e-mail list of staff with disabilities which is used to keep them up-to-date on any relevant news. The list is compiled from voluntary responses to the EEO questionnaire.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Questionnaire - All staff are requested to complete an EEO questionnaire. The statistics collected assist the University to implement fair and equitable personnel policies and strategies to meet the needs of staff. The questionnaire can be completed immediately by logging into the UTS NEO Employee Self Service webpage www.neo.uts.edu.au (Username: your staff number, Password: your e-mail password), and clicking "My EEO Data". Information is handled confidentially and no data is used in a way which identifies individuals. Only designated staff from HRU and EDU have access to this data.
Staff representation in decision-making - Disability related policy formation and implementation is a consultative process. Staff with disabilities are encouraged to provide feedback to the Equity & Diversity Unit, or participate in disability related committees such as the Accessible Environments Advisory Group, the Disability Action Plan Committee and its Working Groups, and the Equity Reference Group.
Disability Project Fund - The DPF provides grants to UTS Faculties, Units, Institutes, Centres, and individuals, who have a project that will help people with disabilities at UTS.
Auslan - Equity & Diversity Unit coordinates free Auslan classes for staff and students.
Disability Awareness Training - Equity & Diversity Unit coordinates the professional development package "1 in 5: Disability and Inclusive Academic Practice at UTS" for academic staff.
Complaints and grievances - Equity & Diversity Unit advises and assists UTS students and staff who have an equity-related complaint. An equity-related complaint is when you believe you are being discriminated against or harassed in your work or study because of your sex (including pregnancy), sexual preference, transgender status, race, colour, ethnic or ethno-religious background, descent or national identity, marital status, disability, age, political conviction or religious belief.
Injury Management and Return to Work - in the case of staff who acquire a disability while employed at UTS, the University has in place policies and procedures around workplace injury management, return to work programs, and temporary transfer to part-time employment when required. Contact the Environmental Health and Safety branch for more information.
External resources - the Australian Government's JobAccess initiative provides a wealth of advice and workplace solutions for employees and prospective employees with disabilities, their co-workers, and employers and managers. See www.jobaccess.gov.au
