2020-06-12
The complainant has anxiety and depression. She is enrolled in a bachelor’s degree with the respondent university and resides in student accommodation. The complainant said that the university had previously accommodated her need to take time off her studies to manage her disability. However, she claimed the university had recently started a ‘show cause’ process due to an unsuccessful year of study which could result in her being excluded from the university for five years. She claimed the university did not give due consideration to medical evidence about the impact of her disability on her studies and resulting need for reasonable adjustment.
On being notified of the complaint, the university indicated a willingness to try to resolve the matter by conciliation.
The complaint was resolved. The university agreed to apply the complainant’s late withdrawals retrospectively, so she did not fail subjects. The university agreed to allow the complainant to defer her studies, beyond the standard referral period if required. The university also undertook to prioritise the complainant’s application for accommodation on campus.
Year
Discrimination type
Disability Discrimination Act
Grounds
Disability
Unlawful to contravene Disability Standards
Areas
Disability Standards
Education
Revised terms and conditions
Amount