Disability Adjustments
The Authority recognises that access to the assessment for students with diagnosed disability, impairment, illness or impediment could be significantly affected and may require adjustment. Evidence of the diagnosis is required for approval of the adjustment.
Adjustments are made to enable access to the OLNA on an equivalent basis to students without disability, impairment, illness or impediment to performance.
Principals are authorised to determine and implement adjustments fairly. The purpose of this section is to provide guidance to principals to determine and implement adjustments appropriately and equitably.
Disability Discrimination Act and Disability Standards for Education
The Disability Standards for Education (2005) provides a framework to ensure that students with disability are able to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students and outlines the obligations of education providers under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992). The Standards outline legal obligations and responsibilities of educational authorities and education providers. Key to meeting obligations and ensuring maximum participation in the OLNA is to make reasonable adjustments where necessary for students with disability. The term ‘reasonable adjustment’ is described in Section 3.4 of the Disability Standards for Education (2005) as a measure or action taken to assist a student with disability to participate in education on the same basis as other students. An adjustment is reasonable if it achieves this purpose while taking into account the student’s learning needs and balancing the interests of all parties affected, including those of the student with the disability, the education provider, staff and other students.
- rest breaks and provision for a pause button
- coloured background
- alternate image (image is higher quality or vector based)
- extra time to work
- scribe
- support person
- Braille format.
Further information about permissible adjustments can be found in the OLNA handbook and the Authority's Equitable Access to Assessment Policy and Guidelines opens in new window.
Schools must advise the Authority of any student needing adjustments by the date specified in the Activities Schedule.