Disability Action Plan
Through its Disability Action Plan, UTS aims to provide equitable access to all education and employment opportunities at the University. The Plan is scheduled for a phased implementation between 2003 and 2007. Some of the outcomes will be:
- Greater participation by students with a disability
- Equity of employment for staff with a disability
- Greater awareness of disability issues and support services at UTS
- A coordinated, University-wide, strategic management approach to disability support
- Meeting government and community expectations
Strategies in the Plan encompass the following seven core areas:
- Student Recruitment and Support
- Academic Program
- Staff Recruitment and Support
- Library
- Information and Instructional Technology
- Accessible Environments
- Other Areas of Campus Life
A review (340k PDF) of the Disability Action Plan was concluded in 2001, identifying progress in the implementation of the Plan and priorities for further action.
Copies of the UTS Disability Action Plan (830k PDF) are available in either print or electronic form from the Equity & Diversity Unit.
Each work area at UTS has a representative on the Disability Action Plan Committee. Contact the Equity & Diversity Unit for details.
DAP Strategy 1 - Student Recruitment and Support
Student recruitment and support is the beginning of equitable access to education for people with disabilities.
The DAP includes detailed recommendations around Marketing & Outreach to prospective students with disabilities, Admission & Enrolment strategies, Orientation, Monitoring outcomes for students with disabilities, Student support, Assessment, Graduation, and other issues relating to student recruitment and support.
DAP Strategy 2 - Academic Program
Issues around flexibility, reasonable accommodation and academic standards are at the core of the successful participation of students with disabilities in higher education.
The DAP includes detailed recommendations around Reasonable Accommodation in Teaching and Assessment, support for the Academic Liaison Officers, provision of materials in alternate formats, incorporation of disability related issues into courses and subjects, and consideration of disability issues in relation to professional practice requirements of courses.
Increasing the awareness of academic staff to disability issues is a key to achieving flexibility for students with disabilities while maintaining academic standards. Disability awareness/professional development opportunities are available from the Equity Diversity Unit.
DAP Strategy 3 - Staff Recruitment and Support
Over the life of the DAP, the University has placed an increased emphasis on employment programs for people with disabilities. Workplace flexibility and the attitude of supervisors have been identified as critical to a successful employment experience for people with disabilities. Consultations also identified that many staff are unaware of existing services for staff with disabilities at UTS.
The DAP includes detailed recommendations around consultation with staff with disabilities, increasing awareness of disability-related policies and support services for staff, increasing representation of staff with disabilities in the UTS workforce and supporting those who are already here.
DAP Strategy 4 - Library
The Library has been identified as one of the most used and accessible UTS facilities. Its DAP goal is to fully consider the rights and needs of people with disabilities in the planning, delivery and evaluation of library services.
The Library provides a range of resources and assistance specifically targeted to students with disabilities, including:
- Library Special Needs Liaison Officers, who play a major role in assisting students with disabilities to access the Library
- Extended loan arrangements, assistance with collection of items from shelves, and photocopying, are available to students holding an SSU Special Needs Card
- Special Needs Rooms in the Library, which contain a range of adaptive software and hardware.
- Accessible parking, available at Haymarket campus
- Alternative formats service for students with a print disability
For the full range of library services available for people with disabilities, see the UTS Library special needs page.
UTS Library continues to actively develop and enhance its services for people with disabilities. The Disability Action Plan Library Working Group meets a number of times per year to evaluate library services and identify opportunities for improvement. The working group welcomes feedback and suggestions from students, which can be submitted through any Library Special Needs Liaison Officers.
DAP Strategy 5 - Information and Instructional Technology
There have been major developments in the use of learning technologies in the higher education sector since the implementation of the inaugural DAP in 1996. Information and communication technologies have increasingly become key elements in the learning process. UTS aims to create information and instructional technology services that enable people with disabilities to gain equal access and exchange of information.
Information and Instructional Technology initiatives for people disabilities include:
- Accessible computer workstations in the Disability Resource Room
- Web accessibility policies and guidelines
- Hearing loops in an increasing number of teaching facilities
- Taping of lectures for students with disabilities
- Priority allocation of accessible teaching spaces
DAP Strategy 6 - Accessible Environments
Click here to learn about Accessible Environments from the AEAG page.
DAP Strategy 7 - Other areas of University Life
This section of the DAP incorporates recommendations relating to a broad range of university facilities, including student accommodation, marketing, transport, parking, security, and access to premises and facilities / services provided by affiliated and non-affiliated bodies.
