The University will address access issues in its communication, digital and physical environments, to improve access and participation in the life of the University for all students, staff and visitors. DEMOGRAPHICS People with disabilities make up a significant proportion of our community. Disability is a part of the human experience. According to the World Report on Disability “almost everyone will be temporarily or permanently impaired at some point in life, and those who survive to old age will experience increasing difficulties in functioning.” According to the World Health Organization: “Over a billion people or about 15% of the world's population, have some form of disability. Between 110 million and 190 million people have significant difficulties in functioning. Rates of disability are increasing due to population ageing and increases in chronic health conditions, among other causes. Persons with disabilities on average as a group experience worse socioeconomic outcomes than persons without disabilities, such as less education, worse health outcomes, less employment, and higher poverty rates.” According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2009, in Australia 18.5 percent or more than four million people reported as having a disability. In Australia: 15 percent of Australians of working age (15-64 years of age) have a disability 54 percent of people with a disability are in a job or looking for one. 83 percent of people with no disability are in a job or looking for one. young Australians with a disability (15-29 years of age) are significantly less likely than their peers to complete Year 12 or equivalent the majority of disabilities (approximately 88 percent are not visible) one in five Australians will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives In 2011 two percent of staff at the University identified as having a disability and 0.2 percent of staff required a work-related adjustment to support them in the workplace.
Disability Services T +61 2 8627 8526 E 2013–18 Objective 1: The University incorporates the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities in all policies and planning. Strategy Outcome Key responsibilities Target date 1.1 The Disability Action Plan is effectively implemented Formal endorsement of the Disability Action Plan 2013–18 by the University. Senate May 2013 Implementation of the Disability Action Plan and compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) as amended or replaced, and any other relevant laws. Compliance will be reported quarterly in the Senate Safety and Risk Management Committee report. Director Human Resources June 2013 Effective strategic and operational management structures established including: a of the Senior Executive Group, with provision for the appointment of an elected student and staff representative; University Consultative Committee (reports to Senior Executive Group Sub-Committee); local (faculty/business unit) disability/equity committees (report to faculty and divisional boards and a Senior Executive Group Sub-Committee). Chair of Senior Executive Group Sub-Committee and Disability Action Plan Consultative Committee and chair of faculty/ administrative unit, disability/equity Committee (dean of faculty/director of business unit) April–June 2013 Review and improvement of transparent reporting and consultative procedures. Senior Executive Group, Director, Human Resources and Director, Student Support Services June 2013
and linguistically diverse strategy, etc. Collaboration and partnerships established with faculties to develop a continuous quality improvement approach to inclusive and effective teaching, research and assessment practice. Deans, heads of schools, associate deans learning and teaching, Academic Board and Manager, Disability Services December 2013 and review Continue to review and implement systems within faculties for students with disabilities, increase opportunities for support and consultation. Deans, heads of schools, associate deans learning and teaching, Academic Board and Manager, Disability Services October 2013 and reviewed bi-annually Review and improve accessibility of the enrolment process for students with disabilities. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) July 2013 and review Student outreach program established to encourage and attract students with disabilities to study at the University of Sydney. Manager, Disability Services, Director, Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit, Director, Student Recruitment Unit, Senior Executive Group and Academic Board November 2013 and annual review Research and address barriers to participation for higher degree research students with disabilities. Senior Executive Group, directors and Academic Board December 2013 and reviewed Develop knowledge and data on students with disabilities (including future, undergraduate, postgraduate, higher degree course work/research students) to enable better planning and delivery of services. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Management), Senior Executive Group, directors and Academic Board July 2013 and reviewed Development of support for students with disabilities transitioning from University to employment. Manager, Disability Services and Manager, Careers Centre July 2014 and annual review 2.2 Provide an innovative, creative, flexible and open learning environment that maximises All teaching staff provided with disability awareness training to ensure they have disability confidence in the teaching and learning environment. Director, Human Resources, Director Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) through Disability Services 10 percent by October 2013; 50 percent by October 2015; 95 percent by October 2017 annually annually
access, participation and success for all students. Teaching staff are aware of the resources available to support students with disabilities. Improve access to training of innovative, creative, flexible and open learning tools and other support mechanisms. Establish a point of contact for staff to gain advice and resources. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Director, Resources and deans December 2013 and annual review Flexibility and inclusiveness of the individual needs of students with disabilities competently managed by staff. Academic Board July 2013 and bi-annual review 2.3 Provide equitable support services that are available to all students who need assistance. Increase available resources and expand Disability Services at central and local levels to provide services to all students with disabilities. Senior Executive Group December 2013 and annual review Further the development and resourcing of the role of Student Disability Liaison Officers. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Director, Resources, Manager of Disability Services, deans and heads of schools, Learning and Teaching Committee August 2013 and annual review Objective 3: The University is an employer of choice for people with disabilities. Strategy Outcome Key Responsibilities Target Date 3.1 Develop a Disability Employment Strategy to encourage potential employees with disabilities to choose the University as an employer. Implement a recruitment strategy which incorporates people with disabilities. Director, Human Resources and Director of Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit 2013 and quarterly review Recruitment and hiring processes reflect a commitment to employing people with disabilities. Director, Human Resources and Director of Staff and Student Equal Opportunity April 2013 and quarterly review Human Resources teams trained to give relevant disability-related information to applicants about University policies, facilities, or services. Director, Human Resources July 2013 and quarterly review 3.2 Provide a supportive working environment that maximises awareness of disability issues among staff, Development of a range of tools including training, fact sheets and guidelines and learning resources for staff around supporting staff with disabilities. It will include the implementation of compulsory disability awareness training for all staff. Director, Human Resources, Director, Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) July 2013 and quarterly review
along with access and participation Promotion of the roles of the Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit, Human Resources and the Employee Assistance Program to increase the knowledge of services available to staff. All staff provided with the appropriate resources to maintain a supportive working environment. Director, Human Resources and Director, Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit, deans and directors August 2013 and quarterly review Opportunities developed for staff to learn and appreciate the lived experience of disability and the associated complexities. Director, Human Resources and Director, Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit December 2013 and annual review 3.3 Provide equitable support services that are available to all staff who need support Research and implementation of programs which successfully support staff with disabilities in the workplace. Sufficient information will be developed to effectively identify staff needs and develop and maintain a database. Director, Human Resources and Director, Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit July 2013 and annual review Development of an Accessible Employee Network to support and encourage the career development of staff with disabilities in the workplace. Director, Human Resources and Director, Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit August 2013 Objective 4: The University’s communication and digital environment is accessible to people with disabilities Strategy Outcome Key responsibilities Target date 4.1 The University will be a leading provider of accessible information and technology services. The University will undertake a digital access audit and develop a digital access plan and priority action list. Chief Information Officer, Director, Marketing and Communications, Director, Library Services, eLearning and webmasters December 2013 All University websites, web content and web applications conform to current best practice and standards*. Chief Information Officer, Director, Marketing and Communications, Director, Library Services, eLearning and webmasters December 2014 & quarterly review Appropriate accessible information and technology training provided for all content providers and technical contributors to web services. Chief Information Officer, Director, Marketing and Communications, Director Library Services, eLearning and webmasters December 2013 & quarterly review Web accessibility requirements embedded in web development and procurement processes. Web authoring software that provides compliant output will be selected. Chief Information Officer, Director, Marketing and Communications, Director Library Services, eLearning and webmasters July 2013 & quarterly review
Increase availability of assistive technology beyond current locations. Students with disabilities will have easy access to assistive technology in teaching, student lab spaces and at home. Information Officer, Director, Campus Infrastructure Services and deputy December 2013 & annual review 4.2 Positive and enabling language is established and embedded within University policy, procedures and documents Development and implementation of best practice guidelines for all electronic, printed and other materials and resources. Case studies developed to monitor progress. Promotional material for the University will include photos of people from diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities. Develop best practice guidelines for taking photos of people with disabilities. Director, Human Resources, Director, Marketing and Communications and Disability Action Plan Consultative Committee December 2013 Development and implementation of best practice guidelines for positive language and appropriate interfaces and inclusion of staff and students with disabilities. Director, Human Resources, Director, Marketing and Communications and Disability Action Plan Consultative Committee August 2013 Objective 5: The University provides an accessible environment to everyone. Strategy Outcome Key responsibilities Target date 5.1 Adopt and progressively implement the Accessible Environment Plan Provision of accessible paths of travel and equitable services and facilities. Disability Action Plan Consultative Committee, Director, Campus Infrastructure and Services and faculty/unit managers 2012 to 2020 Provision of accessible public transport to University campus areas. Vice-Chancellor, Disability Action Plan Consultative Committee, Director, Campus Infrastructure and Services, Director, Human Resources and local and state government 2015 5.2 Provide accessible paths of travel, parking, teaching and support areas Implement construction of all Accessible Environments Plan Priority 1 identified works within 10 years. Disability Action Plan Consultative Committee, Director Campus Infrastructure and Services and faculty managers 2013 15 percent 2014 30 percent 2015 45 percent 2016 60 percent 2017 75 percent