Teaching students with a disability

The primary responsibility of any tertiary institution is to provide the best possible academic experience for all students. Students may reach their goals in different ways - and this is true particularly for students who have a disability. The University has policies and procedures relating to access and support for students with a disability.

In meeting the academic needs of these students staff may need to consider varying their teaching, assessment and supervision practices, or changing course structures.

The School of Education has staff who provide assistance with:

• designing and implementing alternatives to the established curriculum
• introducing alternative teaching and assessment strategies
• evaluating teaching and assessment strategies

Creating Accessible Teaching and Support

Creating Accessible Teaching & Support (CATS) is a web based information source that provides up to date, accurate and comprehensive information about inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services for people with disabilities.

CATS aims to encourage equitable, inclusive access to university education for people with disabilities. CATS is hosted by the University of Tasmania, and was funded by DEEWR and the Australian Learning & Teaching Council.

UniAbility brochures

These six brochures have been developed to assist staff who are teaching students with a disability.

Each of the six brochures presents information about a specific category of disability, providing a general description of the disability and its likely impact on participation and learning, a summary of the issues which staff may need to consider when teaching and assessing students with such a disability, and further sources of information and support.

The brochures can be downloaded here:

Teaching students with hearing impairment

Teaching students with a learning disability

Teaching students with a medical disability

Teaching students with a mobility disability

Teaching students with psychiatric or psychological disabilities

Teaching students who have vision impairment

These brochures were prepared by Ann Noble and Gerry Mullins of the Advisory Centre for University Education. The project was funded by a University of Adelaide Equity Grant, and a grant from the UniAbility Steering Committee of the three South Australian Universities.

The authors acknowledge a debt to previous publications, particularly those prepared by Griffith University, the consortium of New South Wales universities, and the group of West Australian universities.
 

Sources of further information and assistance at the University of Adelaide

The Disability Service within the University has responsibility for providing support for students with a disability and information and advice for staff.

Contact Human Resources for information about the Disability Discrimination Act and the policy and procedures the University has adopted to ensure that it meets the requirements of the Act, and for advice on the resolution of complaints about discrimination or harassment on the grounds of disability.

The University Library caters for students with a disability by providing assistance with catalogue searches, retrieval of items from shelves, extended loans, and photocopying. Librarians will also provide guidance for students on research tools and skills. Phone 8303 5372.