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Most enrolment forms
also include questions relating to disability. The enrolment form often
requests information about whether a student has a disability and the
type of disability. This information assists the institution in building
a statistical picture of the student population. Some institutions
may also ask if students would like to receive information about the services
and supports available to them because of their disability. Disclosing
your disability on an enrolment form does NOT ensure that your are identified
and registered with the disability support service at that institution.
State and Federal
Privacy Acts provide information on the responsibilities of educational
institutions with regard to the collection of personal information. It
requires educational institutions to take reasonable steps, at the time,
or as soon as practicable afterwards, to make students aware of certain
information. A statement or supporting letter from the institution tends
to be placed on forms that require confidential information that outlines:
- why the institution
is collecting the information;
- who and where the
information will go to and how to contact them;
- any consequences
if the student does not provide the information
- what other organisation
student information may be given to and
- that the student
can access personal information held about them by the institution.
It is important to
obtain this information before deciding to disclose disability
information on any forms. The statement should provide sufficient information
for the student to determine whether to disclose or not and to know to
whom they are disclosing.
For more general information
about state and federal Privacy Acts refer to the
'Privacy and Confidentiality' document in this Resource or go to the
Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner website at http://www.privacy.gov.au
Disability Support
Services
A student may also
notify disability support staff at the TAFE or University of their choice
at the time of enrolment to advise them that they are enrolling. The disability
support service is specifically set up to provide information, support
and practical assistance to students with a disability.
Disability support
staff also provide support to academic and other staff working with students
with a disability. From time to time they may provide professional development
support.
If a student chooses
to disclose their disability at enrolment time to access disability support
services, it is highly recommended that this occurs with the disability
support staff as soon as possible. This provides an opportunity for the
student to discuss and implement education related adjustments required
and any other support structures such as mentoring and learning skills
support.
When a student contacts
disability support staff, all personal information such as information
about their disability will remain confidential. Information about students
will not be given to others without the student's written consent.
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Why
Students Choose to Disclose at the Point of Enrolling
Carmen received
notification that she has been accepted into the course and institution
of her choice. While completing the enrolment form she decides to disclose
both that she has a disability and the type of disability. Carmen also
chooses to indicate that she would like to receive information about
support services that may be available to her.
Students may choose
to disclose at the time of enrolment to:
- find out how to
access disability support services when they begin their course
- obtain information
about the range of available support services available at the education
institution
- ensure the institution
is aware that they will be attending and may require education related adjustments
to be implemented in their study environment
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Why
Students Choose Not to Disclose at the Point of Enrolling
Jessica decided
not to disclose her disability on the enrolment form, because she wasn't
sure what assistance she would require and because she was fearful of
discrimination and not being accepted into her course.
Students may choose
NOT to disclose to an education institution at the time of enrolling because:
- they feel they
may experience discrimination and not be admitted into their chosen
course (Note: refer to the Disability
Discrimination Act document. Education institutions must ensure
that students with a disability receive non-discriminatory treatment,
including during the enrolment process)
- they may not require
any additional support or services
- they may be uncertain
whether to contact disability support services at this time (Note:
accessing disability support services at enrolment is considered good
practice for students with disabilities)
- they may not know
who will have access to their personal information (Note: refer to
the Privacy
Act about the right to obtain information about what happens to
personal information and disability specific information that the institution
collects about them.)
- they may be unsure
if they will need support
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What
to Disclose
Enrolment form:
Students
with a disability are not legally required to disclose their disability
on enrolment forms. If a student chooses to disclose their disability,
they are only required to answer the specific questions on the form. These
questions tend to be specific to identifying that they have a disability
and the category of disability which best applies to them. It is not necessary
to disclose specific medical or personal information about a disability.
Disability support
services:
If students choose
not to disclose their disability on the enrolment form, they still have
the option of contacting the disability support service staff at any time
to advise that they are enrolled and to seek information or practical
support to assist with their studies.
Disclosure of disability
specific information to disability support staff is required for support
services to be successfully implemented in the education institution.
Disability information is required for the disability officer to work
with the student to:
- assess the needs
of the student based on the impact of their disability on study
- identify, implement
and evaluate the education related adjustments required
- provide disability
education, training and awareness for academic and general staff
- design, implement
and monitor support plans
Formal documentation
about the students disability is often required. Additional information
required or discussed may include:
- information about
education related adjustments provided in secondary or other education environments
- specific disability
information and possible effects on education
- study history
- technology skills
- support structures
within the home and community
It is not always essential
to disclose specific personal information about a disability. What is
most important and helpful is to provide information about how the students
disability impacts on their capacity to study and what supports are needed
to assist in providing the optimum environment for study to occur.
To
Whom Should Students Disclose?
If a student with
a disability chooses to disclose their disability at enrolment time, the
most appropriate pathways to disclose is on an enrolment form (by answering
the disability specific questions) or to the disability support staff
at the education institution.
The
Purpose Of Disclosing
The main purposes
of disclosure at the point of enrolling is to:
- inform the educational
institution of their disability via the enrolment form. This assists
institutions to collect data on disability required by the Institutions
relevant funding body. Disability information may also enable the institution
to contact those students who have indicated that they want further
information about disability services (this service may not occur
at every institution so it is important to investigate the purposes
for the collection of disability information.
- to advise disability
support services at the education institution that they are enrolled
and to seek information, support and/or the implementation of education related adjustments
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Student
Rights And Responsibilities When Disclosing At The Time Of Enrolling
Students have a
right to:
- information about
what happens to personal information and disability specific information
that the institution collects about them
- information about
existing disability support services and education related adjustments that
they may access during their course.
- privacy and confidentiality
- work collaboratively
with staff to identify disability specific support needs required in
the education environment.
Students are Responsible
for:
- ensuring that they
fully understand the academic and practical requirements of the course
in which they are enrolling. There may be appropriate education related adjustments
that can be made to enable the student to fulfill the requirements of
the course.
- investigate registration
board core requirements with professional or authorising bodies if a
student is planning to undertake a course to obtain a particular career.
- completing the
section of the enrolment form, which asks about disability, if they
wish to have their disability status recorded by the institution
- to find out about
all options for accessing the institution of their choice.
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Educational
Institution Roles And Responsibilities At The Time Of Enrolling
Role:
- education providers
are obliged to ensure that prospective students with disabilities are
not discriminated against in seeking admission and enrolment. Providers
have an obligation to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary,
to ensure that prospective students with disabilities are able to be
considered for enrolment and complete enrolment processes without discrimination.(1)
- educational institutions
have a role in promoting disability support services to all students
or prospective students.
- educational providers
are obliged to ensure that all staff involved in enrolment processes
are trained in understanding and implementing nondiscriminatory practices.
Responsibilities:
- institutions are
responsible for providing appropriate services if students disclose
a disability at the time of enrolling.
- Educational institutions
are responsible for ensuring that the academic and practical requirements
of each course are clearly articulated to enable students with a disability
to consider their needs for any reasonable adjustments in relation to
their disability and their chosen course.
- course coordinators
or heads of school need to ensure that the core requirements for registration
with appropriate professional or authorising bodies is made available.
This information needs to be made freely available for all prospective
students.
- it is important
to know that Universities, TAFEs and other tertiary institutions must
ensure that students with a disability receive nondiscriminatory treatment.
This includes the provision of appropriate educational adjustments.
This is a requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
Footnotes
(1) Disability Education
Standards
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/school_education/programmes_funding/forms_guidelines/disability_standards_for_education.htm
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