About us
The Disability Resource Centre (DRC) promotes inclusion and access for students who experience disability or have primary carer responsibilities. Together with a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO), you will work with the DRC to identify and seek any adjustments, services and recommendations that will assist Deakin in meeting your study needs.
This could include providing study materials and assessments in accessible formats, assistive technology, access to academic support workers, help to communicate your needs to academic staff and more.
Meet our team members below and read important information about the legislation and guidelines on disclosure, privacy and confidentiality that we are bound by.
Privacy
The University manages personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic.).
The information provided on the disability registration form, and all attached supporting documentation, will be used by the DRC to process your registration, to determine and manage the provision of services to you. You’ll be asked to agree to a privacy collection statement during the ‘request support’ process.
Legislation
Deakin University is bound by legislation to provide support to students with a disability and our work is informed by the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and the Disability Standards for Education (2005).
Disclosure
You are not obliged to share or disclose a disability or medical condition to the University. We accept that some students will choose to not disclose their disability, health or mental health condition for personal reasons. There are several considerations when deciding to disclose or not. If you do choose to tell the University about your disability and the impacts on your study, we may be able to provide you with some useful support services. We receive government funding to do this, and we can't provide services unless we know what you need.
Confidentiality
The DRC follows strict guidelines for confidentiality. The DRC will not discuss information about you with the wider university, such as faculty staff or general staff, or with others outside the university such as medical professionals or members of your family without your permission. There are important exceptions when confidentiality cannot be maintained, for example, if we are concerned for your safety or the safety of others.
All records are kept in a secure manner and only used by the DRC team in undertaking normal duties and are not accessible to the wider university.