Disclosure – Should I? To Whom? What Will it Mean?

Disclosure Information

To disclose a disability or to not is often one of the most difficult choices that students with disabilities make at Uni. For many school leavers, this will be the first time that you have a choice about informing others about your disability and some students will choose to stay anonymous and hope they manage their studies without any additional supports. For many students, disclosure at the commencement of studies is the choice they feel comfortable with and for other students circumstances may eventuate that means disclosure may become necessary at some stage. Most students disclose because they require some type of academic adjustment.

It is important to note that you are not obliged to disclose your disability but of equal importance is that staff of the University will not be able to meet your needs if they are not informed of your individual circumstances.

There are different ways to disclose and one of the main points to consider is why you would disclose your disability – what outcome do you hope to achieve. This will help guide both to whom you disclose and how you go about letting people know about your disability. The website Choosing Your Path: Disclosure: It’s a Personal Decision offers some insights into the issues around this topic.

The issue about ‘everyone knowing your business’ can be a big concern for students but the University takes most seriously its responsibilities regarding privacy and confidentiality of personal information.

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Disclosure Mechanisms

The following information outlines mechanisms that are in place for you to disclose your disability and possible outcomes of doing so.

1. Enrolment Questionnaire

At the time of enrolment all students are asked a number of questions which are standard on all University enrolment forms. Statistics from this data forms part of the University reporting requirements to DEST. All data is grouped and is non-identifying of an individual. Disclosure at this point can be useful for the University as it assists the University in planning and budgeting to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

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2. Disability Liaison Unit (DLU)

As outlined in other sections, the DLU is a specialist unit within the University that provides wide ranging supports for students with disabilities. Much of the work that the DLU does is liaison with academics on behalf of students with disabilities. In order for DLU staff to be able to work effectively on your behalf it is important that they have a clear understanding of your specific circumstances. In order to be eligible for DLU services students are required to disclose their disability and to provide medical documentation to substantiate this. Initial discussions with the DLU also involve conversation regarding control of your information, as the DLU will not liaise on your behalf without permission from you. Students advise who the DLU has permission to speak with and about what.

Disclosure at this point is useful for numerous reasons including having access to support staff who can assist you throughout your studies, access to specific adjustments such as Alternative Examination Arrangements and referral to services internal and external to the University.

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3. Faculty Disability Contact Officers (FDCOs)

Faculty Disability Contact Officers are useful people to know in your faculty. Many students accessing the DLU are referred to their FDCO and most students who approach their FDCO are referred to the DLU. It is a student’s choice whether they wish to make these contacts. If disclosure is a concern for you, you can ask your FDCO about how your personal information will be managed in the faculty.

Disclosure to an FDCO is useful as they can advise and support you with faculty matters e.g. Special Consideration, Leave of Absence, subject selection, enrolments and withdrawals.

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4. Teaching Staff

You can at anytime disclose the nature and impact of your disability with individual teaching staff. Staff members of the University are generally very responsive to the needs of students with disabilities and will provide assistance that they consider appropriate. To be effective in seeking support from your teaching staff you should employ effective self-advocacy skills. Many students also use a Disability Impact Statement compiled in conjunction with the DLU as a basis for disclosing their needs to University staff.

It is important to note that most accommodations cannot be implemented with providing medical documentation, applying for Special Consideration or being registered with the DLU.

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