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AVCC GUIDELINES ON INFORMATION ACCESS FOR

STUDENTS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES

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What is a print disability?People with a print disability are those who cannot obtain

access to information in a print format because they:• are blind or vision impaired • have physical disabilities which limit their ability to hold or

manipulate information in a printed form • have perceptual or other disabilities which limit their ability to

follow a line of print or which affect their concentration • cannot comprehend information in a print format due to

insufficient literacy or language skills

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Why is information access so important?

Access to information for people with a print disability, be it intraditional formats such as large print, braille and audio, or innewer and emerging electronic technologies such as the worldwide web, structured e-text, e-commerce and interactive voiceresponse, ensures that all people have access to the thoughts andideas which make a society.

(Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities)

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Legislative Framework

• Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992)

• DDA Standards for Education (2005)• Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act• Other related legislation

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Legislative Basics• The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)

makes it unlawful to discriminate against people on the ground of disability in certain areas, including:– access to premises,– education,– employment, and– the provision of goods and services.

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Legislative Basics cont . . .

• The Act uses a broad definition of disability, and defines two types of discrimination, direct and indirect.– An example of direct discrimination would be requiring

a person in a wheelchair to use stairs to access a building, or requiring a person with a print disability to use a print book in order to study.

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Legislative Basics cont . . .• Indirect discrimination is treatment that is, on the surface,

not discriminatory, but which nevertheless has a disproportionate negative impact on people with a particular disability. – For example, requiring a driver's license as the only proof of

identity discriminates against people who are blind and hence cannot drive (obviously, some requirements will be inherent to a particular task, and will thus not be discriminatory, for example, a bus driver requires a driver's license).

• Both direct and indirect discrimination can apply in the provision of information to people with a print disability.

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AVCC Guidelines

• Aim to assist institutions to meet the needs of students with print disabilities

• Not a prescriptive list• Advice on good practice

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Scope of Guidelines• Guidelines cover

– Provision of student assistance– Teaching materials– Internet access– Encouraging inclusivity– Equipment and technology– Practical classes and practicum placements– Policy implementation

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Structure of Guidelines

• General Principles• Statements of good practice• Examples of good practice

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General Principles• Aim to provide students with print disabilities with the opportunity to

realise their individual capabilities and to gain access to and participate in University life;

• Ensure that all interactions with students with print disabilities are characterised by respect of their right to dignity, privacy, confidentiality and substantive equality;

• Seek to provide support services to students with print disabilities in the interests of equality of educational opportunity. Services may include alternative ways of accessing information and expressing knowledge and general support services;

• Give attention to the resources needed to provide the appropriate environment and support services to students with print disabilities.

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Resources• Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disability:

http://e-bility.com/roundtable/index.php• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission – Copyright

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/education/copyright_210303.htm• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission – Web Accessibility

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/www_3/www_3.html• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission – Forum on Information Access

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/education/education.html• Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training

http://www.adcet.edu.au/• Creating Accessible Teaching and Support (CATS)

http://www.adcet.edu.au/cats/