Service charter

Our role

The Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) is committed to providing students equal opportunity in accordance with the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

The role of the DLU is to ensure that students with a disability who want to be actively and positively included in all aspects of RMIT life can do so. The DLU also provides staff and students, whether in TAFE or Higher Education sectors, information and assistance in relation to disability related matters.

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Student Eligibility

Students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition can receive a range of services to assist them undertake their chosen field of study. To be eligible for services students must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled at RMIT. This includes Higher Education (undergraduate and postgraduate), TAFE, apprenticeships, open learning, distance education, and short courses. Students must have paid their fees and be able to show proof of this by producing their Student Card, etc.

Have a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Disabilities may be temporary or permanent, and may include physical, sensory, neurological, psychiatric or medical challenges to study.

Be registered with the DLU.

Be able to provide relevant documentation from a qualified professional in a relevant field of disability or health. They need to be independent, and cannot be related to the student. Specialist can include:

Medical specialist
Psychiatrist or Psychologist
General Practitioner
Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist
Educational Psychologist.

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Our service

Assists students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition by recommending Reasonable Adjustments which aim to provide equitable/inclusive access. Making an adjustment might mean adjusting conditions of assessments such as an exam.

The DLU will provide students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition enabling staff where appropriate to fulfil pre-selection requirements of a program. This may include an Auslan interpreter or scribe.

Provides advice in relation to any disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition related query and potential impacts of these on study.

Assist the University to improve physical access on all campuses.

Works collaboratively with all areas of the University to encourage and promote inclusive teaching practises which encompass the needs of all students irrespective of race, religion, gender, or disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition.

Where appropriate DLU staff will liaise with school staff to ensure a positive and reasonable level of assistance is provided to registered students.

Provide advice and contact information to students on the Student Services available at RMIT which may include Careers, Scholarships, Student Wellbeing Advisory Services, etc.

When necessary the DLU will work collaboratively with other Student Services groups to provide a holistic and co-ordinated approach.

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What we do not do

We do not:

Case manage students with disabilities
Take on an advocacy role in relation to individual grievances
Participate in course selection, recruitment or enrolment processes
Provide support that substitutes teaching and learning
Provide career advice
Provide counselling.
Provide personal care (However if you require personal care please ask your Disability Advisor for advice regarding how you might go about arranging such services.)

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What you can expect from us

We will give careful attention to your request for information, assistance, and/or advice and provide you with current details on services and programs relevant to your participation on RMIT Campuses.

If we are able to provide you with a service, we will:

Do this as quickly as possible, acting fairly, independently, and impartially.
Acknowledge every email and voice mail message within 24 hours of receipt.
Treat confidential information with privacy and respect. Adhering to all relevant Legislation.
Be courteous and respectful.

If we cannot assist you, or answer your question, we will explain why and advise you of any other more appropriate avenues for meeting your needs.

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What you can do for us

To ensure that we can provide you with the very best service please:

Give some thought to the questions you should be asking in order for us to be able to find or provide what you need quickly.
Treat our staff with courtesy and respect.
Provide as much notice as you can if you are requiring assistance whilst studying at RMIT.

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Feedback

The DLU is constantly striving to enhance its capacity to assist you with your disability specific service or enquiry. We need your views and feedback. They are very important and help us to improve our services.

If you have concerns about the service you have received from us and wish to discuss these issues further, please speak with the staff member providing your support. If you are unsatisfied at this point you can ask that your situation be referred to the DLU Manager. If you are still not satisfied, the Manager will advise you of the process for lodging a formal complaint.

We are not permitted to engage in any discussions with a student or staff member about a complaint relating to a service, that is not organised by the DLU and operates outside of RMIT. In this situation you will be referred to an appropriate service that has the capacity to help you resolve your difficulties (e.g. external disability advocacy group, University’s Student Rights Officer Service, etc).