Accessible and inclusive learning at UTS

At UTS we are committed to creating inclusive learning environments to ensure that all students can access their learning materials, actively participate, and engage in their studies and coursework. This involves: 

• Applying inclusive teaching practices – to proactively improve your teaching behaviours to ensure all students are included
• Creating accessible digital content – to make your subject clear for all students and remove barriers for students with access requirements
• Implementing reasonable adjustments – to create equitable learning opportunities for students with access requirements

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that at UTS we meet our legislative obligations to support the needs of all students, so that as far as possible, all have equal opportunities for academic success. 

Relevant legislation and policies include: 

• UTS Access and Inclusion Plan 
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 in particular the Commonwealth Disability Standards for Education 2005 
  • UTS Legal have provided a Disability Standards in Education 2005 – Legal Guide (opens in external site) 
• TEQSA Higher Education Standards Framework (2015) 
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 

While accessibility is everyone’s responsibility, there are specific roles and responsibilities to ensure students’ access requirements are implemented. 

Accessibility Services 

The UTS Accessibility Service offers support and services to students who are living with one or more disabilities, and/or medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries, that require adjustments for studying at university.  

The Accessibility Service helps to facilitate requests for reasonable adjustments. They also coordinate support services like notetaking, scribes and readers, and provision of assistive technology.  

Accessibility Consultants (ACs) 

Accessibility Consultants (ACs) work one-on-one with students to assist them in building their independence through their transition to university, during their course, and in preparation for the workplace. In consultation with the student, ACs make recommendations for reasonable adjustments and inclusive learning arrangements via an Access Plan that is provided to the Academic Liaison Officer when a student registers with Accessibility Service.

Academic Liaison Officers (ALOs) 

Academic Liaison Officers (ALOs) are the link between the Accessibility Service and the faculties. They are a good contact for academic staff to consult about access responsibilities/processes within faculties. 

ALOs are responsible for assisting students with disabilities or medical conditions, and students with carer responsibilities. They approve reasonable adjustments in assessments to ensure academic integrity is maintained. 

Academic staff

Subject Coordinators and other academic staff are responsible for implementing approved reasonable adjustments and inclusive teaching practices, and making their subject sites as accessible as possible.

Requests such as extensions, exam provisions for faculty-based exams, alternative assessments and re-engagement plans are sent directly to Subject Coordinators from Accessibility Services.

Academic staff are also responsible for referring students to register with the Accessibility Service if they become aware of any access issues. Find out more about how you can refer students in the Referring students with access requirements resource. Subject Coordinators should keep their subject academic staff up to date on arrangements/approvals as relevant.

Faculty Admins

Faculty Admin staff may support Subject Coordinators in implementing access requirements, depending on the faculty. Requests can be made for access to the Exam Provisions report in CASS. This report will provide a list of students and their approved exam provisions for a subject, for use in implementing approved exam provisions. 

LX.lab

The LX.lab assists with instructions and information on how to implement inclusive practices and access requirements. Book a consultation with the LX.lab via ServiceConnect. We also regularly have accessibility-related events and workshops.

Digital Accessibility in Information Technology Division (ITD) 

The Digital Accessibility Specialist stream in ITD supports the design, implementation and evaluation of systems and services in the UTS digital environment in relation to digital accessibility. They do this through a range of consultancy, advisory and training services as well as product testing against WCAG compliance standards.

The Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion (CSJI)

The Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion can provide advice and assistance about equity related policy and systems matters and assist with queries about reasonable adjustments and discrimination. 

Student Administration Unit (Exams) 

The Exams Team in the Student Administration Unit implement exam provisions for centrally conducted exams. This includes adding additional time into Canvas.