Eligibility for support
View examples of conditions, disabilities and situations which may impact a student’s ability to study, and benefit from DRC support.
We welcome Deakin students whose study or participation in university life is being impacted by a disability, health or mental health condition, to use our services.
The range of students who can access our services is large, and the definition of 'disability' under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) is broad, including permanent or temporary physical, intellectual, sensory, neurological, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and some health conditions that might not usually be thought of as disabilities.
Below are some examples of conditions, disabilities and situations which may impact a student’s ability to study. If you have a condition or disability, which may impact your ongoing studies or if you are unsure of your eligibility to access the services, contact the DRC for an initial chat.
Health conditions
Health issues leading to periods of time where your study is impacted could include:
- asthma
- cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- diabetes
- arthritis.
Mental health conditions
Mental health conditions which impact your ability to engage with study could include:
- anxiety
- depression
- bipolar disorder
- schizophrenia.
Specific learning disabilities
Specific learning disabilities causing difficulties with perceiving and processing information, which may benefit from alternate approaches to learning could include:
- dyslexia
- dysgraphia
- auditory processing disorder.
Hearing impairments
Hearing impairments resulting in a need for sign language (Auslan) interpreters or assistive technology to access content in class could include being:
- hard of hearing
- Deaf.
Visual impairments
Visual impairments requiring content to be available in alternative accessible formats or requires access to assistive technology could include:
- having low vision
- being blind.
Neurological conditions
Neurological conditions could include:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- epilepsy
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS).
Intellectual disability
Diagnosed low general intellectual functioning and difficulties with adaptive behaviour.
Temporary or short-term disabilities or injuries
Injuries or broken limbs causing inability to attend classes for periods of time or requiring adjustments in exams.
Carers of people with disability
Someone who provides significant care to another person who has a disability, health or mental health condition.