Legal framework

Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) is a federal law that aims to:

• eliminate discrimination against people with disability
• promote community acceptance of the principle that people with disability have the same fundamental rights as all members of the community
• ensure, as far as practicable, that people with disability have the same rights to equality before the law as other people in the community.

The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination against people with disability and promotes an inclusive approach whenever possible, rather than the provision of separate or parallel services.

Areas covered by the Act that are relevant to Deakin University include: employment; education; access to premises; and the provision of goods, services, accommodation and facilities.

The broader regulatory framework

Other relevant laws, standards and guidelines considered in the development of Deakin's Disability Action Plan include:

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006)

• Australian Government's Disability Standards for Education 2005

• Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee Guidelines Relating to Students with a Disability (2006)

• Australian Government's Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010

• Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)

• Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic.)

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