University launches new six-year Disability Inclusion Action Plan
The strengthens our commitment to protect staff, students and visitors with disability from discrimination and support all members of our community to succeed at the University.
The new six-year plan aligns with our core values of inclusion and diversity, and community expectations that people with disability are included in all areas of public life.
The University of Sydney is recognised as one of Australia鈥檚 higher education leaders in disability inclusion, with our previous Disability Action Plan (2013-18) being recognised as an example of best practice and used as a model for the development of the NSW Government鈥檚 own plan.
At the University鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Michael Spence, welcomed the new plan 鈥� the fourth of its kind. Several esteemed speakers joined him for the launch, including聽Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Ben Gauntlett, and Ms Carly Findlay, an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist who regularly writes about disability issues.
Dr Spence called for a united effort to implement the plan's objectives.
鈥淚f we are to be a university in which the brightest researchers and the most promising students can thrive and realise their full potential, we must ensure that we provide a learning and working environment which is inclusive and accessible to all our students, staff and visitors,鈥� Dr Spence said.
鈥淚 welcome the University鈥檚 Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2019鈥�24 and urge the whole University community to commit to聽working towards the achievement of its objectives.鈥�
My disability services officer provided me with empathy and incredible support. Because of my new academic plan, I feel that I can get the most out of my studies while not being completely overwhelmed.
The plan builds on the University鈥檚 proud track record of in disability inclusion across almost two decades, and supports our aspirations to become an employer and higher education provider of choice.
Thousands of students and staff with disability are actively using the University鈥檚 support services. One international student, who asked to remain anonymous, said his 鈥渄isability services officer provided me with empathy and incredible support. Because of my new academic plan, I feel that I can get the most out of my studies while not being completely overwhelmed.鈥�
Zoe Stawyskyj, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours in Physics) and is now a casual teacher at the University, said she would have had to study part time without the assistance she received from Disability Services.
Zoe, who has a chronic illness, said the new plan鈥檚 promotion of the legal requirements that support people with disability were critical for her, because she can 鈥渄raw on that information to be empowered and know my rights鈥�.
The new plan reflects the experience of staff and students with disability. They contributed substantially to the plan鈥檚 creation during an extensive consultation and development process. There are a number of initiatives that will be implemented during the life of the plan, including the following.
- Implement accessible wayfinding and navigation on our campuses, including technology-driven solutions.
- Ensure our curriculum demonstrates application of the principles of Universal Design for Learning.
- Enhance strategic employment of people with disability, including the creation of an employment fund to support hiring managers in recruiting people with a disability.
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