Disability support

Open Universities Australia is committed to providing open and accessible education for everyone. In partnership with our academic providers, Open Universities Australia offers support through alternative format study materials such as transcripts of lectures for students with a hearing impairment, or materials in Braille, e-text, DAISY format or large print for students with sight impairment.

Students previously registered for disability support can apply for an extension of their Smarthinking hours’ eligibility by contacting smarthinking@open.edu.au.

Let us know what we can do to help

If you require specialised support, complete the disability support question in either the online or paper enrolment form (PDF, 719 KB) at the time of your enrolment. Once you are enrolled, liaise directly with the unit/course provider to organise access to alternative format study materials, ensuring that you allow at least one Study Period for alternative materials to be arranged.

It takes time to organise these materials so it is important to provide at least one Study Period notice of your alternative format requirements.

To summarise, if you need study materials in alternative formats you need to let us and our providers know in time by:

• Enrolling at least Study Period in advance.
• Completing the disability support question.
• Contacting the Disability Unit at the relevant provider(s) immediately after enrolment to make arrangements. The contact details for the providers are listed below.

If you require assistance with enrolment, contact our Student Advisors on 1300 363 652 or using our Online Enquiry Form.

Examination arrangements

Students with special needs can apply to have them accommodated when sitting invigilated (supervised) examinations managed by OUA Exam Services.

Alternative Assessment Arrangements (AAA)

Steps to apply for Alternative Assessment Arrangements (AAA):

1. Contact the provider as early as you can in the Study Period to discuss any special needs that can be accommodated under AAA.
2. Complete a Medical Evidence Form and supply supporting evidence from a recognised practitioner.

Forward these to your provider. The provider will advise you whether your application has been approved, and will work with OUA Exam Services to ensure your requirements are met.

Provider disability liaison

More information about alternative format materials and disability support services is available directly from the providers. Contact details for the disability liaison officers for each provider are listed below.

Australian Catholic University
Equity and Disability Unit
Tel: +61 7 3623 7377
Email: carolyn.toonen@acu.edu.au

Australian Computer Society
Tel: 1800 671 003
Email: pam.barnes@acs.org.au
Web: www.acs.org.au

Charles Darwin University
Office of Student Administration and Equity Services
Tel: +61 8 8946 6288
Fax: +61 8 8946 6654
Email: kerrie.coulter@cdu.edu.au
Web: www.cdu.edu.au/ses/disabilitysupp.html

Curtin University
Disability Services
Tel: +61 8 9266 7850
Email: disabilityservices@curtin.edu.au

GippsTAFE
Disability Support
Tel: +61 3 5127 0250
Fax: +61 3 5133 6182
Email: disability@gippstafe.edu.au
Web: www.gippstafe.vic.edu.au/current_students/student_support_services/disability_officer

Griffith University
Tel: +61 7 3382 1159
Fax: +61 7 3382 1103
Email: disability-oua@griffith.edu.au
Web: http://www.griffith.edu.au/student-equity-services/support

La Trobe University
Equality and Diversity Centre
Tel: +61 3 9479 2900
Email: s.freeman@latrobe.edu.au
Web: www.latrobe.edu.au/equality/disability

Learning Network Queensland
Tel: +61 7 3307 4768
Email: unilearn@lnq.net.au
Web: www.lnq.net.au

Macquarie University
Disability Support Unit
Tel: +61 2 9850 6494 TTY: +61 2 9850 6493
Fax: +61 2 9850 6063
Email: equity@mq.edu.au
Web: http://www.campuslife.mq.edu.au/campus-wellbeing/disability-support-unit

Monash University
Disability Liaison Unit
Email: dlu@adm.monash.edu

Murdoch University
OUA Liaison Team
Tel: 1300 687 3624
Fax: +61 8 3960 6491
Email: oua@murdoch.edu.au

Polytechnic West
Disability Services
Tel: +61 8 9267 7866
Email: sandra.cotton@polytechnic,wa.edu.au
Web: www.polytechnic.wa.edu.au/pwa/new-current-students/services-for-current-students/disability-services

RMIT University
Disability Liaison Unit
Tel: +61 3 9925 1089
Email: dlu@rmit.edu.au

Swinburne University
Disability Support Service (HEd)
Tel: +61 3 9214 8500
Email: disability@swin.edu.au
Web: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/stuserv/disability/

TAFESA
Disability Support
TAFE Statewide Disability Support Service
Tel: +61 8 8177 3326
Email: Meredith.Norton@tafesa.edu.au
Web: www.tafesa.edu.au/services/disability-support.aspx

University of New England
Student Disability Support
Tel: +61 2 6773 2897
Fax: +61 2 6773 4400
Email: tony.woods@une.edu.au
Web: www.une.edu.au/disability-support

University of South Australia
Disability Services
Tel: 1300 657 122 or +61 8 8302 2330
Fax: +61 8 8302 2363
Email: disability@unisa.edu.au

University of Western Australia
UniAcess - UWA's Disability Office
Tel: +61 8 6488 2423
Fax: +61 8 6488 1119
Email: uniaccess@uwa.edu.au
Web: www.transition.uwa.edu.au/welcome/disability_office

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