Determining Eligibility for Disability Support Services
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To be eligible to receive services from Disability Services, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in any course at Swinburne University of Technology
- Have a disability arising from an impairment, mental health or medical condition
- Provide relevant documentation from a qualified professional in the particular field of disability or health
- Make an Appointment to see or have an online discussion with a staff member at the Disability Support Service and officially register
All documentation and student records are treated with strict confidentiality.
Enrollment at Swinburne University of Technology
To be eligible to receive services from Disability Support Services, students must be enrolled in any course at Swinburne University of Technology. This includes Higher Education, TAFE, Swinburne Online, Apprenticeships, Open Universities Australia (OUA)and distance education. Students need to have paid their fees and be able to demonstrate proof of this by producing their student card.
Disabilities arising from an impairment, mental health or medical condition
To be eligible to receive services from Disability Support Services, students must have a disability arising from an impairment, mental health or medical condition that may impact upon studies in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), as outlined below. Disabilities that may impact upon studies can be physical, sensory, neurological, psychiatric, medical or intellectual. Disabilities may be temporary or permanent, constant or fluctuating.
- Loss of physical or mental functions (e.g. a person who has quadriplegia, brain injury, epilepsy or who has a vision or hearing impairment)
- Loss to part of the body (e.g. a person with an amputation)
- Infectious and non-infectious diseases and illnesses (e.g. a person with AIDS, hepatitis or TB, a person with allergies or who carries typhoid bacteria)
- A condition where a person learns differently from other people (e.g. a person with autism, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder or intellectual disability)
- Any conditions which affect a person's thought processes, understanding of reality, emotions or judgement or which result in disturbed behaviour (e.g. a person with a mental illness, neurosis or personality disorder)
- Short term conditions which affect a persons ability to undertake their normal capabilities (e.g. a person who has a broken wrist, sustained a back injury or has severe migraines)
Providing relevant documentation from a qualified professional in the particular field of disability or health
To be eligible to receive services from Disability Support Services, students must be able to provide relevant documentation from a qualified professional in the particular field of disability or health. The professional needs to be independent and cannot be related to the student.
The following is a guide to the health professionals recognized by the Disability Support Service:
- Mental Health condition – Registered Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist, General Physician (if on medication)
- Vision Impairment – Ophthalmologist
- Hearing Impairment – Audiologist
- Physical Disability – Medical specialist, General Physician
- Learning Disability – Registered Psychologist (i.e. Educational Psychologist)
- Medical Conditions – General Physician, Medical Specialist
- Neurological Conditions - Neurologist, Neuropsychologist, Medical Specialist
Reports must be relevant to the student’s current situation. Documents are only acceptable if dated:
- In the last two weeks for temporary conditions
- In the last six months for fluctuating condition
- In the last three years for learning disability
- No date required for a permanent disability
Documentation should:
- State the specific impairment, mental health or medical condition
- Indicate whether the disability is permanent, temporary, or fluctuating
- Outline the impact on the student's ability to study
- Recommend reasonable accommodations
- Clearly identify the professional's name and credentials
- Be legible, on letterhead, dated and signed
Note: Students can obtain a Disability Documentation Form from the Disability Support Services, which can be completed by a Qualified Health Professional.
Make an Appointment to see a staff member at the Disability Support Service and officially register
To be eligible to receive services from Disability Support Services, students must make an appointment to see a Disability Liaison Officer to discuss support options and officially register. Any possible support needed through out the year should be identified and organised before semester begins. Disability Liaison Officers are available on all campuses and via phone or email.
Confidentiality
Student details will not be disclosed or discussed without approval. Often teachers need to be told how the disability impacts on a student’s study and how they can accommodate the individual’s needs. This is given generally and only on a need to know basis.
For further information contact the appropriate Disability Liaision Officer to arrange appointment.
