Academic and in-class support

We can provide support to enhance your learning in class through course adjustments and direct in class support workers.

Course adjustment

To make sure you are able to fulfil your course requirements, we can provide adjustments such as:

• inclusive teaching methods and practice
• provision of copies of overheads/notes
• allowing classes to be audio taped (where appropriate)
• negotiating alternative assessment arrangements
• assessing and providing advice on practical placement requirements

To improve the accessibility of your course materials, we have alternative formats available such as:

• enlarged print
• Braille
• electronic files.

Direct support in class

We can arrange support workers to assist you in class with:

• Auslan Interpreters
• Note-Takers
• Participation Assistance.

Alternative arrangements

We can arrange special or alternative support to enhance your learning or performance in your assessments through:

• special seating arrangements
• extra time for exams
• extensions for assignments
• adjusted or alternative assessments tasks where necessary
• use of Auslan interpreters or scribes in tests/exams.

Disability Liaison Officers support

Our Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) assist students to participate in all aspects of university life by determining support needs. A DLO meets with each student to review medical documents and discuss how the specific condition may affect current studies.

DLOs can:

• help you identify options to reduce the impact of your disability on your current study program
• provide information on a range of supports and access to relevant VU services and study adjustments
• create a "Disability Support Advice" plan outlining the support you will need
• communicate and assist relevant VU staff and external agencies to arrange specific services and implement your Disability Support Advice where appropriate.

Library support

We have a range of library services available to support your academic needs.

Access within campus libraries

To get support in accessing library resources, students will have:

• referral to a contact librarian
• accessible work stations.

Adaptive technology lab 

Our Adaptive technology labs located within the Library at Footscray Park and St Albans enables you to access the following specialised services and software:

• screen reading and magnifying software
• Dragon speech recognition and word prediction
• closed circuit TV to magnify reading material
• PCs with large screen monitors and accessible work stations.

 For more information about the services available please refer to your campus Library.

Specialist equipment and software

We provide loan of specialist equipment to support your studies needs such as:

• portable audio loops
• digital voice recorders
• magnifier reader
• PC peripherals such as one handed keyboards, trackballs
• ergonomic chairs
• accessible work stations.

We provide loan of specialist software  to support your studies needs such as:

• Texthelp Read and Write Gold
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• JAWS
• Access Applications – portable software on a USB to support reading, writing and study planning.

External resources

There are a range of off-campus external support services that may assist you with your studies and participation in university life.

Eligibility to register for disability support

To be considered eligible for disability support, all students must:

• be a currently enrolled student
• have a disability or medical condition that may impact upon studies, such as impairment, physical, sensory, neurological, psychiatric, medical or intellectual. Disabilities may be ongoing or temporary, permanent, constant or occasional
• provide medical documentation from a qualified professional in that particular medical field

Documentations should include:

• the name of the specific impairment or condition
• if the disability is permanent, temporary, or fluctuating
• details of the impact the condition is likely to have on the student's ability to study
• recommended support services and/or reasonable adjustments to study
• medical professional's title and credentials
• legible writing on letterhead with the date and signature.

Documents need to contain the most recent information of your condition.

Documents should be as recent as:

• in the last two weeks for temporary conditions
• in the last six months for fluctuating conditions
• in the last three years for learning disabilities
• no specific date required for permanent disabilities.

Registration process

There is a formal registration process to access our support services.

The first step is to register your details. Once we receive your registration we will contact you to arrange an appointment.

Accessible maps

If you are using a screen reader, screen magnifier or prefer an alternative version of a map, text alternative maps for all our campuses are available.

Access and mobility maps are also available showing accessible exits, entrances and lifts for the buildings on each of our campuses.

For Braille Maps of Footscray Park and Footscray Nicholson campuses contact Michelle Lehmann-Tran, Disability Services Coordinator, Victoria University on 9919 5298, 0438 040 329 or michelle.lehmann@vu.edu.au

Contact us

VU Disability Services
Phone: +61 3 9919 5400
Email: disability@vu.edu.au