Disability Inclusion and Action Plan

A Message from the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC)

On this page you will find:

• Why this plan matters
• Our approach to consultation
• Why participate?
• How to participate
• What happens next

Why this plan matters

This plan aims to address the systemic barriers that can prevent students with disability from participating fully in university life, from the design of units and assessments, to how adjustments are put in place and kept consistent from one unit to the next, to what happens when a student needs support at short notice. The Plan is meant to be a roadmap for making sure that living with a disability is never a barrier to succeeding at UNE.

Our approach to consultation

This plan is being developed in genuine partnership with people with lived experience of disability, that means what students tell us during this consultation will shape the plan's direction and its final commitments, not just be noted after the fact.

You can access the Disability Inclusion Action Plan Consultation Paper using the button below.

Read the DIAP Consultation Paper

The following session information relates to student consultation for the Draft UNE Disability (Education and Workforce) Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2026–2030. Staff can provide feedback through the individual submission or survey. To enquire about attending a staff consultation session, please contact dvcadministration@une.edu.au.

Why participate?

You don't need to have all the answers. We want to understand:

• What is working well?
• Where are students experiencing barriers?
• What could UNE do differently?
• What would make your experience more accessible and inclusive?

How to participate

We are seeking your input through a mix of channels, choose whichever suits you best.

Below you will find information on the following ways to engage:

• Individual Submissions
• A supplementary University-Survey
• Online drop in session with SAWO
• In person drop in session with SAWO
• Individual Drop-In Sessions with SAWO

Individual Submissions

We welcome feedback, particularly on specific barriers you've experienced. Submissions can be confidential and should be emailed directly to: dvcadministration@une.edu.au

Please note due to the number of submissions, you may receive acknowledgement of your submission, with no individual feedback provided for your response.

A supplementary University-Wide Survey

This survey will be circulated at a later date by email, and will also be accessible from this webpage once available. This anonymous survey will allow you to share your experiences and comment on opportunities to break down institutional barriers.

Online drop in session with SAWO

A big thankyou to those who joined SAWO's online consultation sessions  on Wednesday 9th September. We appreciate your time and contributions. If these sessions brought anything up for you please be aware that UNE offers free and confidential counselling for students. After hours support is available through the UNE Mental Health Support Line 1300 661 927 (or text 0488 884 169)

If you had any questions around individual accessibility support from these sessions, please email accessinclusion@une.edu.au

These sessions were transcribed, de-identified, then shared with the DVC Office for thematic analysis. Feedback summaries will be available soon.

In person drop in session with SAWO

A big thankyou to those who joined SAWO's on campus consultation sessions  on Thursday 3rd September. We appreciate your time and contributions. If these sessions brought anything up for you please be aware that UNE offers free and confidential counselling for students. After hours support is available through the UNE Mental Health Support Line 1300 661 927 (or text 0488 884 169)

If you had any questions around individual accessibility support from these sessions, please email accessinclusion@une.edu.au

These sessions were transcribed, de-identified, then shared with the DVC Office for thematic analysis. Feedback summaries will be available soon.

Individual Drop-In Sessions with SAWO

We recognise that talking through some of these experiences - documentation requirements, crisis support, or past experiences with adjustments - can be difficult, and that a group setting will not suit everyone. If you would prefer to share your experience one-on-one and in confidence, the Student Accessibility and Wellbeing Office (SAWO) is offering online and face to face bookable individual sessions, subject to availability. If you would prefer to speak with a staff representative from another area of the University, this can also be arranged. Please contact via email: accessinclusion@une.edu.au. Please indicate in your email subject line that you wish to discuss DIAP Consultation.

What happens next

Your feedback will directly influence the final commitments of the 2026-2030 Plan. Following this period, a Thematic Feedback Summary will be published to demonstrate how your contributions have shaped the DIAP.

Alternative Formats

In line with our commitment to accessibility, the Consultation Paper is available in Easy Read, Large Print, and Audio formats upon request by contacting the Student Accessibility and Wellbeing Office at accessinclusion@une.edu.au. Please also let us know if there are alternative forms of participation that may better meet your needs.

Thank you for helping us build a UNE where living with a disability is never a barrier to belonging.