Inclusion Support

SCU students can access our free and confidential Inclusion Support service if you: 

• Have a disability (physical, sensory, learning, or mental health-related). 
• Have a medical condition or temporary injury. 
• Are a carer for someone with a disability. 

Our goal is to provide the right support to help you succeed and thrive at SCU.

Two documents are essential for your registration.

1. Disclosure

The first step towards registering with Inclusion Support is deciding to disclose your disability. This disclosure is kept confidential and shared only with your consent. By registering with Inclusion Support, you won't need to repeat your personal details to the broader university, and your information will be treated with respect and confidentiality.

The 'Permission to Release Form' allows you to give consent for sharing your adjustments to teaching staff, while your personal circumstances remain private.

Complete and sign the Permission to release information form to provide consent.

2. Supporting documentation

Your supporting documentation should be thorough and, where applicable, provide details about the nature of your disability, medical condition or carer responsibilities; along with how it may impact your ability to study. This documentation may also include recommendations for strategies to assist you. While these recommendations will be carefully considered, they may be adapted to best support your needs.

You can provide documentation in one of the following formats:

• The approved Practitioner's Report, or
• A recent letter from a relevant medical professional (see table below). If submitting a letter, ensure it is on an official letterhead and includes the practitioner's signature, provider number and contact details.

Please note: Depending on the nature of your condition, you may be asked to provide updated medical documentation periodically throughout your studies.

Appropriate Medical Professional — supporting documentation

SCU's Inclusion support services may include:

• Advice and assistance with reasonable adjustments
• Access to inclusive technology and software
• Provision of specialised equipment
• Personalised support from Inclusion Support Team
• Referrals to both internal and external support services
• Guidance on inherent requirements before admission

The team is also available to support academic staff with advice on disability-related matters.

To access the support services provided by Inclusion Support, you need to register with our service. If you're registering for the first time or reconnecting with us after a break in your studies, we recommend doing so at least 2 weeks before your teaching period begins.

If you register later, your adjustments may not take effect until the following teaching period.

Want to know more about registration or what documents to prepare? Read through the next section and book your appointment with an Inclusion Support Adviser today!

To access the support services provided by Inclusion, you will need to register by booking an appointment with an Inclusion Support Adviser.  

The Inclusion team has appointments available for: 

...general questions or ongoing support 

...registering with the Inclusion service 

...Learning Access Plan (LAP) review and renewal, for registered students only 

Choose which of these appointment types you will need and then book the appointment in CareerHub.

What to complete prior to a Registration or Learning Access Plan review appointment 

1. 1. Permission to release information form
   2. Practitioner's Report OR other supporting documentation (see the section above on ‘How to register with Inclusion Support’)

Book an appointment

Online: Login to CareerHub and scroll down to ‘Inclusion Support appointments’

Phone: 1800 72 4357 (1800 SC HELP), press menu option 3

Email: inclusion@scu.edu.au

Appointments are currently conducted by phone, Zoom, or face to face across Lismore, Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses.

What to expect in your appointment

Appointment type: General and ongoing support 

During this appointment, the Inclusion Support Adviser will discuss any questions you have about the Inclusion services and support and provide advice on what to do next.

Appointment type: Register with Inclusion / LAP review & renewal 

During this appointment, the Inclusion Support Adviser will review your documentation, discuss your learning supports, create or renew a Learning Access Plan (LAP), and record your LAP in MyEnrolment.

Once you have submitted the required supporting documentation and met with an Inclusion Support Adviser, your registration is complete. The following steps will take place:

• Any reasonable adjustments agreed upon will be documented in MyEnrolment. 
• The details of your approved adjustments will be shared with your lecturers and unit assessors at the start of each teaching period. 
• Your learning supports may be reviewed periodically and you will be notified by email if this is necessary. 

You are encouraged to communicate with your lecturer at the start of each term to ensure a clear understanding of the reasonable adjustments being provided. This helps to ensure that both you and your lecturer are aligned on the support in place, enabling a smoother learning experience throughout your studies.

As a student with a disability, you are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education. These laws ensure that you have the following rights:

• The choice to disclose your disability. 
• The opportunity to be consulted about your needs. 
• The ability to participate in all courses offered by SCU, including fieldwork and placement components. 
• Equal access to services and facilities at SCU, on the same basis as other students. 
• Access to specialised services to support your participation. 
• Reasonable adjustments to ensure equal access and participation in your studies, just like students without disabilities. 
• A learning environment free from harassment or discrimination. 
• To be treated with dignity and respect. 
• The chance to contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures, and practices that affect your life.

In addition to these rights, you also have responsibilities, including:

• Abiding by all relevant policies at SCU.
• Using the services provided in a fair and honest manner.
• Taking shared responsibility for negotiating and implementing reasonable adjustments.
• Making early contact with the university to discuss support arrangements.