Equity, Access & Diversity

1.    Welcome

2.    Disability Support Programme

2.1    Disclosure of Disability or Medical Condition on the Enrolment Form
2.2    Disability Support Officer
2.3    Equal Opportunity in Education
2.4    Prospective Students with Disability or Medical Condition
2.5    Confidentiality
2.6    Open Learning Students (OLA)
2.7    Student Responsibilities

3.    Student Accommodations

3.1    Tutorials/Labs
3.2    Lectures
3.3    Assignments
3.4    Administrative/Study Accommodations
3.5    Exams and Tests

4.    Alternative Entry Programmes

5.    Committees

5.1    Murdoch University Policy for Students with Disabilities
5.2    Advisory Group on Disability-Students and Staff (AGDSS)
5.3    Equity Co-ordinating Committee (ECC)

6.    Support Services

6.1    Parking
6.2    Rest Rooms
6.3    Assistance with Personal Care
6.4    Mobility Assistance
6.5    Telephones
6.6    Accessible Toilets
6.7    Campus Access - Building Lift Access
6.8    Audiotaping of Lectures
6.9    Print Information in Alternative Formats
6.10  Equipment Loan Scheme

7.    Study Information

7.1    Orientation to University
7.2    Class Location
7.3    External Study
7.4    Student Learning Centre
7.5    Graduation

8.    University Library

9.    Other Services

9.1    Health and Counselling Service
9.2    Guild of Students
9.3    Accommodation
9.4    Computing Facilities

This handbook has been designed to assist you with your course of study and to access the University's facilities and services to their maximum potential. It will provide you with some answers to common questions about support, procedures and services available to students with a disability or medical condition.

The most important aspect of assistance at Murdoch University is that it is tailored to your individual needs. If your needs are not known, they can not be met. Therefore ask for information early, ask for advice and ask for help.

There are three questions regarding disability on the enrolment form. They are:

1.	Do you have a disability, impairment or a medical condition which may affect your studies?
2.	If Yes, please indicate the area of impairment.
3.	If Yes, would you like to receive advice on support services, equipment and facilities which may assist you?

Students with disabilities are requested to tick ‘Yes’ in the relevant places and to indicate the area of impairment.

A list of the students who indicate disability on their enrolment form is provided to the Disability Support Officer at the start of each semester. Students will then be mailed out information on disability support at Murdoch University.

The Disability Support Officer is available to provide you with practical assistance and advice. Some of the ways in which the Disability Support Officer can assist you include:

• providing information on the most appropriate services and equipment for specific situations;

• supporting you to make the necessary social, physical and emotional adjustments to university life;

• referral to appropriate services both internal and external to the University;

• advocating and liaising on your behalf with University staff and community agencies.

Social Sciences Building, Room 1.4
Phone: (08) 9360 6152 or (08) 9360 6084
TTY: (08) 9360 2926
Fax: (08) 9360 6502
Email: hmakeham@murdoch.edu.au

Appointments with the Disability Support Officer can be in person or by telephone. The Disability Support Officer also visits the Rockingham Campus on a regular basis. Appointments can be made through the Administrative Officer (9360 6084), or e-mail: equity@murdoch.edu.au

At certain times of the year, the Disability Support Officer becomes very busy and as such there may be a wait before an appointment can be secured. It is therefore important that students do not wait until matters become critical before seeking assistance.

The University adheres to an 'equal opportunity in education policy'. The Equal Opportunity Act requires that you receive equal treatment by an educational authority. The Act prohibits discrimination or unfair treatment of students with disabilities and medical conditions as it does on discrimination because of race, colour, ethnic origin, sex, age, religious or political beliefs, economic or martial status, family responsibilities and sexual preference.

Therefore, as a student with a disability or medical condition you can not be denied or limited in entry or access to any services provided by Murdoch University. Equal access to courses and facilities can be ensured so far as circumstances and resources reasonably allow.

For a copy of the University’s ‘Procedures for Dealing with Equity Complaints’ please contact the Equity Office on (08) 9360 6495 or visit the Web site at http://equalopportunity.murdoch.edu.au/complaints/complaints.html

The University welcomes applications from students who require additional assistance to undertake courses successfully.

If you have a disability or medical condition, you are strongly advised to contact the University in the year preceding your proposed enrolment to find out more about your intended course of study and to ensure:

• it is possible for you to participate effectively in the course, minimising any constraints such as location and timetable;

• special services or equipment you might need are in place or available by the time semester commences.

It is recommended that you contact the Disability Support Officer and provide the following information prior to enrolment:

• name and address;

• nature of disability or medical condition;

• services or facilities required.

This information is not used in the admission process. It merely enables the Disability Support Officer to assist in the provision of the most appropriate information on services and facilities.

Information provided by students to the Disability Support Officer is treated as private and confidential and will not be released to another person without the students permission.

Open learning students with disabilities who have an inquiry regarding disability support should, in the first instance, contact the OLA coordinator at Murdoch University in the External Studies Centre on (08) 9360 2844.

The University has a responsibility to you to ensure provision of, and access to, the best possible standard of education. However, this does not reduce your responsibility to comply with university requirements, nor does it reduce the expectation that you must accept responsibility for your own academic progress. This means that general responsibility such as punctuality in assignment work and adherence to arranged classroom participation still applies to you.

If you require support and advice whilst studying, you can take the following initiatives:

• contact the Disability Support Officer for support and advice;

• approach your School and discuss with the Dean, Programme Chair and/or Divisional Executive Officer teaching strategies and requirements;

• contact the Library for information, facilities and services;

• ensure that applications for alternative exam and test arrangements are submitted on time to the Disability Support Officer;

• consult your tutor and Unit Co-ordinators regarding provision of alternate assignment arrangements;

• be informed about current and future University policies, facilities and services which may affect you;

• always plan early in the semester to ensure that your needs can be accommodated.

Students with a disability or medical condition have access to a variety of supports whilst studying at Murdoch. These supports are tailored to each persons individual needs.

portable audio loop
tutorials positioned in a circle
telling others students in the class (with your permission)
preferential seating (in front, by door, by tutor etc)
student buddy
obtaining course material and books prior to start of semester
information in alternative formats
tutor to read out all instructions on whiteboard and overheads
check lighting in the room

using a tape recorder
some lectures are taped and tapes housed in the Reserve Section of the Library
using a notetaker
arranging for copies of the lecturers notes
portable audio loop
lecturer to wear an FM system
Auslan interpreter
sit at the front of the lecture
captioning or transcribing of films/videos
information in alternative formats
check location of lecture theatres

if assignments are going to be late, contact you tutor/lecturer immediately
alternative format of assignments eg oral
contact the Equity Tutor
enrol in support classes offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre

specialised equipment for study on campus eg: closed circuit TV
if a new undergraduate, consider enrolling in A120 (Introduction to University Learning)
contact the Equity Tutor
enrol in support classes at the Teaching and Learning Centre
Health and Counselling Service
contact Disability Support Officer for orientation of campus
register with Library for support services
accessible parking arrangements
ergonomic furniture
contact the Learning Enhancement Centre at Edith Cowan no. 9273 8021

Mid-semester test alternative formats and supports are organised directly between the student, Disability Support Officer and the Unit Co-ordinator

If you require alternative examination arrangements, it is advisable that you address this matter early in the semester. Students who leave such arrangements to the last minute run the risk of not having their request considered in time for the scheduled examination.

All students will be required to complete an Alternative Examinations Request Form which is available from Student Administration or the Disability Support Officer.

Students who are requesting alternative examination arrangements for the first time should contact the Disability Support Officer and make an appointment. The types of support available will be discussed and an application form will be provided. A medical certificate form will also be provided which needs to be completed by your doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

Please Note: Application forms need to be submitted to the Disability Support Officer by end of week nine each semester

supervision off campus (in case of hospitalisation)
arrangements may include extra time
use of scribe
specialised computer software
rest breaks
ergonomic furniture
separate room on own
deferral

As part of the Admissions Policy, the University can provide the opportunity for prospective students to gain admission to Murdoch via alternate entry programmes. The programmes are:

The UniQuest programme targets mature age applicants who have previously been educationally disadvantaged. For example, people who have had their schooling disrupted by a disability or medical condition.

TOP is aimed at high school students who are experiencing some form of disadvantage or disruption which may effect their studies in Year 12. For example, a disability or medical condition.

Targets all people from equity groups including non-TEE Year 12 students from those groups. Requires four weeks full-time attendance on campus.

For information about the above programmes including application forms follow the links above.

A Murdoch University Policy for Students and Staff with Disabilities and Medical Conditions was first adopted by the University in March 1995. It is important for all students to have a copy and be aware of its contents. A copy is available from this link, or contact the Equity Office on (08) 9360 6084 for a copy in alternative format if required. 

Murdoch University has a student and staff advisory group whose responsibility it is to identify and respond to the particular needs and problems of people with disabilities and medical conditions. The AGDSS liaises with various sections of the University and the community, and co-ordinates resources on campus. It also has close links with the Equity Co-ordinating Committee.

If you are interested in joining or having your views communicated to the AGDSS, you can contact either the Disability Support Officer or the Guild’s Disability Officer both of whom are members.  

The ECC Committee addresses issues and advises the University on matters which affect students and staff in equity groups.

There are a number of blue parking bays which you can use if you have a disability or medical condition that warrants parking closer to buildings or facilities. To be eligible to park in these designated bays, you must display a blue parking permit on the windscreen of your vehicle. To obtain a blue permit you need to present your ACROD parking permit to the Parking and Security Office.

If you do not have an ACROD parking permit then you will need to apply for a Blue Permit through the Disability Support Officer.

Applications for special or temporary parking permits need to be accompanied by a doctor's certificate and should be made to the Parking and Security Office on Level 1 of the Chancellery Building (08) 9360 2196, or to the Disability Support Officer.

Should all the blue parking bays be full and you have a blue permit or special parking permit, you are entitled to park without penalty, in any red or green permit bays. 

Rockingham Campus:   Blue parking permits are available from the Campus Support Manager.

There are a number of bays throughout the campuses. The bays and the areas they give access to are:

South side, access to Science and Computing and Biological Sciences.

Outside the Chancellery Building, giving access to the Bush Court level of the campus.

If entering through Car Park 3, drive to the South side of the Environmental Science building, access to Environmental Sciences and Physical Science.

If entering Car Park 4, drive to the top of the road and on the West side of the Social Science building is a set of ACROD Bays, giving access to Social Science, Education and Humanities and Bush Court level of the campus.

Outside the Function Centre.

South side of Humanities, giving direct access to the Humanities building and Education.

South and North side of the Amenities building.

East side of the Library, giving access to the Economics, Commerce and Law building and the Library.

Tea Tree Loop, west side Veterinary Clinical Sciences building, access to Vet Sciences building.

Tea Tree Loop, south side Veterinary Biology Building, access to Veterinary Biology building and Veterinary Clinical Sciences building.

South side of Environmental Sciences, access to Loneragan Building, Biological Sciences and Veterinary/Biology building.

East side Veterinary Clinical Sciences building, access to Vet Hospital.

South side.

North side, in the main car parking area.

A rest room is available in the Health and Counselling Service (Level 1, Social Sciences building). Contact the front counter staff for access.

At the Rockingham Campus a rest area is available in the Student Services section.

Personal care assistants need to be arranged by the student to work with students who require assistance with personal tasks (eg eating, toileting, transfers). Where appropriate Health Services staff may need to be informed/contacted regarding support requirements.

For students who have mobility difficulties, a motorised gopher is available to borrow from the Equity Section at the Murdoch Campus. To access the gopher you are required to register with the Disability Support Officer.

On campus there are a number of lowered phones, located in the following areas:

A TTY is available in the Disability Support Officer office for use by students who are Deaf. (TTY No: 08 9360 2926). Murdoch Facilities Management are also investigating public TTY installations.

6.6    Accessible Toilets

There are a number of modified toilets on campus as listed below.

Location of Modified Toilets

All of the toilets above are wheelchair accessible. M/F refers to uni-sex facilities and M&F refers to separate facilities. * These also include modified showers.

Unassisted wheelchair access is possible to almost every building and level on campus. An access map is available by contacting the Equity Office on (08) 9360 6084. Some lifts are not accessible to larger (non-standard) wheelchairs.

There are lifts available in most buildings, as listed below.

Tours are run during the orientation week period. Outside of these activities please contact the Disability Support Officer to arrange an individual orientation.

Students must always seek permission of the Unit Co-ordinator prior to audiotaping classes. In the case of tutorials in which there is considerable student participation, the permission of the tutorial group should also be obtained.

Some lectures are routinely audiotaped. The tapes are then housed in the Reserve Section of the Library ready for student use. Students interested in audiotaping because of their disability should ask the Course Co-ordinator whether the lecture is routinely audiotaped.

Students who require their textbooks and other information in formats other than standard print, should contact the Disability Support Officer.

It is the student’s responsibility to provide details of the material required to the Disability Support Officer and to provide this as early as possible. When material requires taping, this is sent to the Association for the Blind, and there may be delays of several weeks until material can be produced in audio format. Students are therefore advised to make contact with the Disability Support Officer regarding alternative formatting at least two months ahead of time when the materials will be used.

You can also assist further by checking with the Association for the Blind’s librarian to see if the books are already available in the format you want.

The Disability Support Officer has a small pool of equipment available for student loan. The period of loan depends on the type of equipment borrowed.

Tape recorders, slope boards and back supports are lent for one semester. Loan renewals are available upon request. There is no fee charged for equipment on loan. Disks and batteries are not supplied by the Equity Section.

Apple Macintosh laptops are available for short term loans depending on the students circumstances.

Students are required to fill out an application form and then sign a borrowing agreement prior to removing the equipment from the office, a signature is also required when the equipment is returned.

Students must report any equipment failures, damage or loss to the Equity Section immediately. Equipment on loan is the students responsibility.

During Orientation (0 Week) at the beginning of each year, free Getting Started Seminars are conducted by the University to assist new students in preparing for first semester and to introduce them to fellow students and staff before university commences.

Murdoch University is a large campus so it is recommended that you consult the draft timetable and with relevant staff to avoid the problem of difficult class locations. However if, once the semester begins, you find that your commitments are spread widely around campus allowing insufficient time to get to consecutive classes, or if you find a theatre or seminar room inaccessible, contact the Unit Co-ordinator or Divisional/Executive Officer for that programme immediately.

You also have the opportunity of studying a degree programme or particular unit externally. A full list of the programmes and units available in the external mode is published in the Murdoch University Handbook and Calendar. External units rely on written communication, using printed lecture notes and resources papers or a combination of printed material and audio cassette tapes. Further information is available by contacting the Administrative Assistant on (08) 9360 2498.

The Student Learning Centre is available to assist all students with academic work. It can be of particular assistance to students with learning difficulties.

Areas which could be of assistance to you include:

• general study skills;
• preparing for examinations;
• essay/report writing;
• mathematics;
• seminar presentations.

You will find the Centre on the third Level of the Library off Bush Court or they can be contacted by telephoning (08) 9360 2142. Timetables and 'sign up' lists are posted up at the beginning of each semester near Reception. At the Rockingham Campus, Student Learning staff are available in the Student Learning Resource Centre, Library Level 2, Room 2.08. Appointments can be arranged by calling (08) 9553 7085 or (08) 9553 7072.

An Associate Lecturer (Equity) is responsible for 'equity students' - this includes the academic needs of those from rural and isolated backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and students with disabilities or medical conditions. The Associate Lecturer (Equity) can be contacted on (08) 9360 2508.

Murdoch University's degree-conferring ceremony is held annually usually in the Perth Concert Hall. Enquires about access can be made to the Concert Hall or to the Graduations Officer on (08) 9360 2454.

Library Staff are available to assist students to make full use of the Library. The Officers can be contacted at the Loans and Enquiry Desk on Level 3. Equity Contacts for the three subject groups are also available to assist. Services include:

• collection of items from the shelves;
• photocopying (you will be charged standard rates);
• information/reference services;
• document delivery services to assist in collecting material from other libraries;
• renewing library loans over the phone;
• library card transferrals, enabling nominated people to use your library card to pick up your books.

A study room is available on Level 3, South Wing of the Library. The room contains the following study equipment:

• Kurzweil Reading Machine;
• Closed Circuit TV;
• Ergonomic furniture;
• Voice activated software ( Power Secretary & Dragon Dictate);
• Macintosh and PC computer and laser printers;
• Footrests;
• Slope boards;
• Text enlarged software.

Follow this link to view the Conditions of Use for the Reserved Study Room.

To arrange access to these facilities initially it is necessary for a student to be registered with the Disability Liaison Officer.  Access to these facilities expires at the end of December and needs to be renewed annually.

A registration letter is required from the Disability Support Officer.

Forms are then taken to the Enquiry Desk on Level 3, North Wing, of the Library.

Enquiry and Lending staff will record details of the services you require on your borrower record.

A staff member can introduce you to the Subject Group Librarians for your area of study. If you require access to the Disability Study Room, the staff member will also take you to the Photocopy Attendants’ office to have your photocopy card programmed for access to the room.

Please note that at least 24 hours notice is necessary for processing requests, subject to the number of requests being made and staff availability.

Students who require specific assistance during the evenings or weekends, must make arrangements at least 24 hours ahead of time.

A full-time registered nurse provides a health service for staff and students at the University. Doctors consult on a sessional basis.

The Health Service is located in the Social Sciences building on Bush Court and they can be telephoned on (08) 9360 2293.

The Counselling Service is a free and confidential service for all students and the staff are available to deal with a wide range of personal, interpersonal and clinical problems encountered by students in their work, study or personal life.

Information and referrals to the various social and welfare services in Perth are also available. The Counselling Service is open daily Monday to Friday. appointments may be made through the Health Service, which is located in the Social Science building or by telephoning (08) 9360 2293.

At the Rockingham Campus, a Counsellor visits on a regular basis. Appointments can be made through the Administrative Assistant.

The Murdoch Guild of Students provides student representation within and outside the University and supplies a range of services and amenities for its members.

The Guild offers advice on Austudy, housing, general Social Security benefits; academic and welfare matters, and student loans; accident insurance; job scheme and accommodation registers; access to legal advice; lockers for hire and many other services.

The Guild also has information on the various clubs, societies and activities on campus.

The Guild has a Disability Standing Committee and a Disability Officer.

The Guild Offices are located in the Amenities building and can be contacted by telephoning (08) 9360 2158.

Accommodation is available on the Murdoch campus at Student Village (08) 9360 2909.

They are self-catering units which house up to five people. There are facilities available in the current units and the new extension for people with disabilities. These include modified bathrooms, kitchens, living and dining areas, accessible parking and wheelchair access between and within units.

Student Village also has up to fifteen part-time tutors and Resident Assistants.

The University also employs an off-campus Housing Officer (08) 9360 6990 who can assist students to find private accommodation.

General Access Computing Facilities are available to all students on campus. They are located in Lecture Theatre 3, next to the Nexus Theatre and are available to students during library hours.

Both IBM Compatible and Macintosh computers are available for use. You will require a 3.5 inch floppy disk to use the machines.

Access to the machines is on a first come, first served basis. Students are not able, at any time, to book machines for their personal use.

At the Rockingham campus general computing labs are open 24 hours a day.

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