USC's AccessAbility Services is guided by principles of equity, inclusion and access, and supports the fundamental right of students with a disability to participate in all aspects of university life on the same basis as their peers. AccessAbility Services advocates for universal design in curriculum and delivery, and for learning and teaching materials to be accessible to and useable by students of all abilities and backgrounds.  

Our key functions include: 

1. provision of recommendations of reasonable academic adjustments for all aspects of study (including on campus, technology enabled learning and work integrated learning)  
2. capability building for USC staff regarding equity and inclusion, disability education, training and awareness 
3. specialist advice regarding disclosure, Inherent Academic Requirements, campus access, removing barriers to engagement and universal design 

All services provided by AccessAbility Services are in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Disability Standards for Education 2005, and the Carer Recognition Act 2010. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 defines the term “disability” as:

• "total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions; or
• total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or
• the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body; or
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour;

and includes a disability that:

• presently exists; or
• previously existed but no longer exists; or
• may exist in the future (including because of a genetic predisposition to that disability); or
• is imputed to a person.

To avoid doubt, a disability that is otherwise covered by this definition includes behaviour that is a symptom or manifestation of the disability.”

Service delivery occurs following a triage of need and is offered in a flexible mode to suit the student. Proactive servicing, including to prospective students, ensures a comprehensive approach to inclusive student success and meeting relevant legislative requirements.