If you are enrolled at Monash and have a disability defined under the Disability Discrimination Act or a chronic medical condition that affects your ability to study, you may be eligible for help from the Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) in Health Wellbeing and Development at the Gippsland campus.
Disabilities affecting students at University can be wide ranging:
Students who have a medical, neurological or mental health condition
Students who have a physical disability, vision or hearing impairment
Students who have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or who have a learning disability
Students with disabilities and/or long term conditions are becoming more involved in university life, and there are many disabilities that are not apparent to people that you interact with (hidden disabilities). Lecturers, tutors, administration staff and other university staff will simply not know of your condition, but are often very supportive once they know.
Mental illness may be affecting your life and studies. This can arise due to study pressures, transition from secondary to tertiary education, living away from home, loss of familiar personal relationships and having to establish new ones, or substance abuse, or you may just have a predisposition to a form of mental illness. If you feel unusually stressed, depressed or have experienced recent life changes which are affecting your mental health, as a Monash student, you can access the confidential Counselling services run by Health, Wellbeing and Development - see below for details. If this is affecting your studies, this is something to approach the DLU about. .
Learning disability is something else that can have a significant impact on your studies. If you suspect you have a Learning Disability or a lecturer queries you about this please see the DLUO for possible support in accessing appropriate diagnosis.
The DLU can provide assistance such as:
Note takers, course materials in alternative format and AUSLAN interpreters.
Specialised equipment on-campus such as computer screen reading software and FM hearing loops
Assistance with access issues on-campus and liaison with academic and general staff.
Alternative Arrangements for Assessment (AAA's) for examinations and class tests.
The aim of the DLU at Monash is to promote access and equity and enable you to be able to fulfil requirements of your course as independently as possible. A student may not choose to identify him or herself to the university, managing their studies and condition well. However if you find you are getting behind or increasingly stressed with your studies, you may need some help. Don't worry about being labelled - if you feel you are being held back in your university studies by something beyond your control, please seek help!
Documentation needs to be provided that confirms your disability to the university and recommends appropriate support. It needs to be provided from a qualified professional who has experience and training in the particular field of disability or medical condition.
Monash has introduced an 'Inclusive Practices Project' to focus teaching on being 'enabling' for students rather than labelling them with a problem. This program involves staff training and support for students with 'hidden disabilities'.
If you have further questions don't hesitate to contact the Health Wellbeing and Development on 5122 6425 or in person in Room 3N - 102 or contact MUGSU's Student Rights Officers on 51226 248 or in person in the MUGSU Offices in 3N.
