Disability Service
Services and supports available.
At Western Sydney University, we recognise and celebrate the unique strengths and abilities each student brings to our community. Our goal is to empower you throughout your studies by providing the tailored support you need.
Do you know how our Disability Service can help you?
Our support services are free and confidential and available to both future and current students. We offer advice, assistance and advocacy to students with disability, chronic health conditions, mental health conditions and temporary injuries, such as a broken limb.
Our goal is to foster an equitable and inclusive educational environment for all students by ensuring students have access to the necessary support and reasonable adjustments to fully participate in their academic and campus life.
What support do you need?
- Do you require tailored accommodations for your exams?
- Access to tools and software that can reduce the impact of your condition and enhance learning and productivity?
- Assistance with plans and strategies for managing academic challenges?
- Provision of Educational Support Staff (academic notetakers, Practical Assistants, Sign Interpreters)?
- Provision of course materials in accessible format?
- Assistance with physical access needs?
- Support while on placement?
- Referral to other relevant services?
- Advocacy to help navigate university processes, manage stress, and address any barriers to academic success due to the impact of your condition?
If so, the Disability Service can work in partnership with you to create a supportive environment where you can thrive and reach your full potential.
Ready to explore the support available to help you succeed? Connect with a Disability Advisor and take the next step toward reaching your academic goals.
We encourage you to make an appointment with a Disability Advisor to identify your strengths, knowledge, and the experience you bring to university life. Together, we’ll explore the resources and supports available to help you succeed and reach your academic goals. Engaging with a Disability Advisor early on in your program is recommended, but you can connect with us at any time. We are here to support you at any point throughout your studies.
How can we help?
We are committed to working with you to help achieve your academic goals by providing ‘reasonable adjustments’ where necessary. Reasonable adjustments are specific provisions tailored to your current needs, determined in collaboration with you during an initial assessment with a Disability Advisor. To enable us to provide appropriate support, you will need to provide relevant supporting documentation about the impact that your disability and/or condition has on your studies.
Your treating health practitioner must complete The Impact of Disability and/or Health Condition on Study form. Completed forms are to be submitted via the secure online Medical documentation submission link (you need to be logged on with your student credentials). This documentation must be provided via the link at least one business day prior to the initial assessment with a Disability Advisor.
At Western, the primary tool for supporting students with disabilities is the Academic Reasonable Adjustment Plan (ARAP). This document serves as a confidential way to communicate your reasonable adjustments to staff within the University. The ARAP contains the reasonable adjustments you may need to minimise the impact your condition has on your studies. An ARAP cannot be established without supporting documentation from your treating health practitioner.
For more information about ARAPs please see: Academic Reasonable Adjustment Plans
If you are undertaking placement as part of your program, Western can also provide students with a Placement Reasonable Adjustment Plan (PRAP). A PRAP is separate to an ARAP, and is designed to provide students with reasonable adjustments during placements.
We also offer support for students in the use of Assistive Technology software. Our AT Specialists colleagues provide free product training and resources.
To determine the best and most appropriate reasonable adjustments for you, book a consultation with a Disability Advisor today and let's explore your options together.
Connect with us
If you have any questions, would like to connect with us, or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us either on campus, via Zoom or by telephone. We are here to help you succeed by promoting inclusive learning environments.
To speak with a Disability Advisor or to make an appointment you can call 1300 668 370 (option 5) or email disability@westernsydney.edu.au.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4:30pm.
Alternatively the eDisability service is available for current and prospective students who are not yet registered with the Disability Service and their family or external service providers. This service provides direct email contact with one of the Disability Advisors and is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about receiving support at Western Sydney University or The College.
For more information about the Disability Service please see information belowExpand all
The term 'disability' is a broad term that is used in the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). 1 in 5 Australians have a disability of some type and approximately 80% of these disabilities are 'invisible' meaning that they are not immediately apparent when looking at a person.
The Disability Service can provide support to students with any chronic medical condition, mental illness or other disability including but not limited to:
|
Kidney failure Multiple Sclerosis Dyspraxia Learning Disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia etc.) Neurological disability Epilepsy Hearing Impairment HIV / AIDS Sickle-cell anaemia Mobility impairment Depression |
Brain Injury Cerebral Palsy Diabetes Vision Impairment Arthritis Cystic Fibrosis Heart Failure Spinal cord injury Muscular Dystrophy Anxiety |
If you're studying part time or on an external basis due to your disability, you may still be eligible for a Concession Opal card through the University.
How do I get my Concession Opal card?
You will need to access the
Travel Concession Request Form
via the WesternNow Portal.
Full instructions are on the form, including links to the paper based form that you will need to take to your medical practitioner to support your application.
Once your form has been processed, you need to follow the step-by-step instructions on the How to apply for a Concession Opal card webpage
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Talk Campus
TalkCampus is a free app that you can download onto your device to talk anonymously to other students from universities and colleges around the world. Access free mental health support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
TalkCampus is a safe student network that’s all about support. This means you can talk to your peers about exam stress, anxiety, depression and a range of other matters. The app is available in 25 languages including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali.
The TalkCampus app is available for free to all Western students. You can download the app from Google Play or the App Store. To sign up, please use your Western student email address to unlock the app free of charge. For more information, visit the TalkCampus webpage.