My Access Plan

What is an Access Plan?

• Your plan is a record of strategies, adjustments and services that have been assessed as appropriate based on your discussion with your Disability Liaison Officer (DLO).
• Your plan is a communication tool to support your access, participation and independence at university.
• Sections of your plan are forwarded to relevant areas of Deakin.
• Some adjustments may need to be tailored to specific units and may not be relevant to some activities/tasks.
• Academic standards of the course need to be met, with reasonable adjustments in place.

What do you need to do?

• Read the plan carefully and think how it applies to your units each trimester.
• You have a crucial role in actioning your plan, and timely contact by you is essential.
• You are encouraged to contact your Unit Chairs early in the trimester to introduce yourself and discuss your plan. Need some tips?
• File your plan safely for future reference.
• Review your plan by the review date with your DLO. It is your responsibility to make an appointment to discuss the review. You may request an earlier review of your Access Plan at any time
• Contact the Disability Resource Centre or your DLO if you have any questions.

What are your responsibilities?

You should:

• work proactively with the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) to keep us informed of changes to your health condition (or carer status).
• use your Access Plan as a starting point for discussions with your unit chairs. We strongly encourage you to introduce yourself to your unit chair at the start of the trimester to discuss your needs.
• contact your unit chair and/or tutor in the first instance if you need any educational adjustments listed in your Access Plan, such as needing an extension on an assignment or extra time for online or in-class tests. If you have more complex adjustments related to your education or assessments, allow ample time for these discussions to occur.
• follow the Unit Guide procedure when requesting extensions, prior to the assignment deadline, and advise the unit chair of how long an extension you will need.
• remind your unit chair you have an Access Plan when you talk with them and don’t assume that your unit chair is always fully aware of all the details in your academic adjustments.
• request a review of your Access Plan if your circumstances change. It is your responsibility to make an appointment to discuss your Plan.
• contact the DRC if you have any questions related to your access plan.

Accessible Materials

Your Access Plan may include access to accessible materials if this adjustment was discussed with your DLO. You will be contacted by the Accessible Materials team, and you will be asked to complete a form with information relevant to your units.

Direct any queries to accessible-materials@deakin.edu.au or speak to your DLO.

Academic Support Workers

Your Access Plan may include access to an Academic Support Worker if this adjustment was discussed with your DLO. You will be contacted by the Academic Support Worker (ASW) Coordinator by email, usually in the week prior to the timetable (STAR) closing, and you will be asked to fill in relevant details as well as indicate that you agree to the Student Responsibilities outlined in the Information for Students Working with an Academic Support Worker.

Direct any queries to ASW@deakin.edu.au or speak to your DLO.

When do I need to review my Access Plan?

A review is a check-in with your DLO to monitor if the adjustments have been effective in supporting you to participate in your studies, while managing your condition or caring responsibilities. Review your plan with your DLO by the date indicated on your Access Plan. It is your responsibility to make an appointment to discuss the review. You may request an earlier review of your Access Plan at any time.

To review your Access Plan, please make an appointment using the Request Support button. You will log in with your student details. If you already have a plan, you will be taken to your DLO calendar to book an appointment. If you are not registered with the DRC, you will be taken to the registration form.

If at any point you decide you no longer require your Access Plan, please email drcentre@deakin.edu.au.