Disability Accommodation Policy

In 2025, the University of Newcastle had a clearly defined and actively implemented reasonable accommodation policy to support students with disability across academic, physical, and social domains. Its arrangements combine individual reasonable adjustments, specialist staff assistance and funded support initiatives to help students participate equitably in University life.

A formal policy for reasonable accommodation

The University’s Supporting Students with Disability Policy, effective from 25 June 2018 and in force throughout 2025, established responsibilities for supporting students with disability. It required the University to consult students, provide reasonable adjustments to courses and programmes, and take reasonable steps to make campus facilities accessible. Evidence of the University's ongoing funding and implementation of accommodations is further outlined in sections 10.6.7, 10.6.8, and 10.6.9. The policy was replaced by a revised version effective 19 June 2026.

The policy framework supports the University’s obligation to:

• Take reasonable steps to ensure equal participation in university courses and campus life.
• Consider individual circumstances and the inherent requirements of courses when determining reasonable adjustments.
• Make appropriate adjustments to learning, assessment, and campus access.
• Promote inclusion and participation while respecting the dignity and autonomy of students with disability.

Individual adjustments and specialist support

Throughout 2025, students could apply for tailored arrangements through AccessAbility. The AccessAbility support team coordinates the development and implementation of Reasonable Adjustment Plans (RAPs) in consultation with students. These plans document agreed adjustments for a student’s needs and guide academic staff in making course and assessment arrangements. The University’s 2025 RAP information sheet explained how students could request changes, use their plan across teaching periods and contact an adviser for assistance.

Reasonable accommodations may include alternative examination arrangements, extra examination time, accessible assessment formats, assistive technology, adjusted teaching materials, ergonomic furniture, mobility assistance, interpreting and captioning.  including accessible exam papers and furniture.

Resourcing and implementation during 2025

In January–March 2025, University Accessibility Services supported nearly 700 students, approximately one-third of whom accessed the service online. The University’s Student Wellbeing activity report records these services as part of its ongoing support and adjustment arrangements for students with disability.

The University also delivered disability-related support through the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP)-funded Student Wellbeing portfolio. Its 2025 reporting identifies a dedicated AccessAbility Adviser who provided transition assistance and early intervention, as well as a dedicated staff member facilitating alternative examination arrangements and timely Reasonable Adjustment Plans. These funded staffing and service arrangements demonstrate that the University allocated practical resources to implementing reasonable adjustments.

A University-wide approach to accessible participation

The University’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2024–2025 complemented the student policy with planned measures to improve accessible learning, digital systems, campuses and workplace inclusion. It set out institutional responsibilities for disability-inclusive practices, while the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023–2025 identified actions to improve the implementation of student adjustment plans and timely workplace adjustments for staff.

For academic and professional staff with disability, the University uses reasonable workplace adjustments such as assistive technology, flexible working arrangements and physical changes to the work environment. Staff can work with supervisors and relevant University teams to identify appropriate supports, with external assistance funding available for eligible workplace modifications.

Through its formal reasonable accommodation policy, funded support services and University-wide inclusion planning, the University of Newcastle works to remove barriers to participation for people with disability. These measures help students and staff access the adjustments and support they need to engage fully in study and working life.