Workplace Adjustment for Staff with Disability
In late 2008 the Vice-Chancellor approved a scheme endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor’s Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee, to centrally fund workplace adjustment for staff with disability. This fund is a practical expression of the University’s commitment to providing an accessible and inclusive material work environment.
The purpose of this fund is to provide for reasonable workplace adjustment for staff with disability. This policy applies to people employed by the University of New England and is in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), Disability Standards in Education 2005, Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1987, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986, Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and the Disability Services Act 1993.
The fund will be available to staff who have a temporary or permanent disability and operates in addition to the University’s Workers Compensation and Return to Work policies, and Occupational Health and Safety policies. The fund will be available for such things as:
- Appropriate physical modification of work areas
- Modification of existing, or provision of specialised, equipment including software
- The provision of training or other assistance implicit in realising reasonable workplace adjustment
- Providing essential University documents, information or other materials in alternate formats
- Provision of specialised assistance for potential staff during the selection and recruitment process
Such modifications must co-exist with the inherent requirements of any position. This fund will not be available for works that are required for compliance to building codes and standards. In order to access workplace modifications, staff will need to provide medical documentation in support of their request, and a workplace assessment will be carried out.
Employment Equity & Diversity is currently developing the policy and procedures under which this fund will operate. Updates and progress reports will be posted here as they occur. The Workplace Adjustment fund should be operational in the second half of 2009.
LINKS
Choose your path. Disclosure: It's a personal decision.
Disclosure of disability presents a number of challenges & choices for people with a disability, particularly those participating in education and employment. Choices may include 'Do I need to disclose my disability', ''when do I disclose my disability', 'how do I disclose my disability', 'what are my rights', 'do I have responsibilities when I disclose'. Employers and educators may also be challenged in relation to their role and responsibilities when a person discloses their disability.