We see your ability and we are committed to your study success
We support students studying through Griffith University, Griffith College and Open Universities Australia. Find out about the support we provide to people with disabilities, injuries or health conditions.
We seek to remove barriers that students with disabilities may face in higher education. We also aim to improve participation, retention and success of students with disabilities, including access to learning environments.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to providing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
Accessibility contacts
You can contact Student Disability and Accessibility in a variety of ways and arrange adjustments by phone, email, face to face or Skype.
We require early notification in order to best assist you with adjustments to your studies. There are three easy steps to registering:
- Register (by phone, email or face to face).
- Provide documentation and find out more about appointment options.
- Make an appointment (either by phone, email, face to face or Skype).
Our services
Our campus-based Senior Disability Advisors can assist with:
- arranging alternative exam conditions such as additional time, separate venues, equipment etc
- formatting print materials into other formats
- captioning or transcription of audio-visual materials
- access to assistive technologies
- access to note taking services
- access Auslan interpreting and support for deaf and hard of hearing students
- access to participation assistants or other support as appropriate.
We customise reasonable adjustments to meet your particular needs. We require early notification in order to best assist you with adjustments to your studies.
We do not provide tutoring or personal care.
Who do we support?
Anyone with a disability, injury or health condition whether it is permanent, temporary, episodic or fluctuating can access Student Disability and Accessibility services.
Student Disability and Accessibility supports students who have a wide range of disabilities or conditions including, but not limited to:
- neurodiverse conditions such as Autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, auditory processing disorders
- hearing impairments
- injuries that are temporary such as broken or sprained limbs, or recovery from surgery or injury
- medical conditions such as epilepsy, arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, neurological conditions, and chronic pain.
- mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder etc
- mobility issues such as back injuries, spinal cord injuries, musculoskeletal injuries
- vision impairments.
Even if you feel your disability or condition is under control, it is good to talk to us about your options for support while studying. Your appointments with us are free and confidential.
We can also provide support and referral to other services such as Health and Medical Services, Counselling and Wellbeing, Student Financial Support, Library, the GUMURRII Student Support Unit, accommodation services, and mentoring programs.
Staff resources
If you are a staff member supporting people with a disability, check out the accessibility and inclusion website.
Be informed about:
- supporting students with a disability
- supporting staff with a disability
- accessible learning environments
- legislation and policy
- staff awareness training (online and face-to-face)
- best-practice examples and resources.
NDIS appointments on campus
We have NDIS Local Area Coordinators (LACs) visiting our Griffith Nathan and Gold Coast Campuses every month to offer students and staff free 30-min consultations.
These NDIS consultations are for students or staff who are looking to:
- understand or access NDIS
- create, implement or review their NDIS plan
- connect with other government and community supports.
Nathan campus appointments:
- Held on every 3rd Tuesday of the month.
- At N12 Sewell Building, Level 1.
Gold Coast appointments:
- Held on every 4th Friday of the month.
- At G33 Student Centre, Level 1.
Accessibility, Inclusion, and Universal Design
Cathy Easte, the manager of Griffith's Student Disability and Accessibility, explains how the service supports students by addressing their individual needs through a range of strategies and interventions. Learn about Universal Design for Learning and how it can be applied to create an inclusive learning environment.
Contact Student Disability and Accessibility
- Brisbane campuses (Logan, Mt Gravatt, Nathan, South Bank): disability-bne@griffith.edu.au
- Gold Coast campus: disability-gc@griffith.edu.au
- OUA (Open Universities Australia) and Online: disability-online@griffith.edu.au
- Deaf Student Support Program: deafstudentsupportprogram@griffith.edu.au
- Careers Outreach Team: careersoutreach@griffith.edu.au
- Contact us via the National Relay Service: Accesshub
- Gold Coast campus: disability-gc@griffith.edu.au
- Phone
- (07) 5552 8734
- Opening Hours
- 8.30am to 4.30pm
- Location
- Level 1, Student Centre (G33)
- University Drive, Southport QLD 4215
- Brisbane campuses (Logan, Mt Gravatt, Nathan, South Bank): disability-bne@griffith.edu.au
- Opening Hours
- 9am to 5pm
- Location
- Level 1, Sewell (N12)
- Kessels Road, Nathan QLD 4111
- Brisbane campuses (Logan, Mt Gravatt, Nathan, South Bank): disability-bne@griffith.edu.au
- Phone
- (07) 5552 8734
- Opening hours
- 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
- Location
- Level 1, Wayne Goss Centre (L03)
- University Drive, Meadowbrook QLD 4131
- Brisbane campuses (Logan, Mt Gravatt, Nathan, South Bank): disability-bne@griffith.edu.au
- Location
- QCAD: Room 2.04 and 2.08, Webb Centre (S02)
- 226 Grey Street, South Bank QLD 4101
- QCGU: Room 1.40 (S01)
- 140 Grey Street, South Bank QLD 4101
- Brisbane campuses (Logan, Mt Gravatt, Nathan, South Bank): disability-bne@griffith.edu.au
- Please note
- As of December 2019, reception at Mt Gravatt is permanently closed. If attending for an appointment, follow instructions on the signage at the location.
- Location
- Ground floor (reception), Auditorium (M23)
- Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt QLD 4122
Documentation
You'll need to provide recent supporting documentation from a health practitioner which outlines:
- the nature of your disability, injury or medical condition
- the impact your disability, injury or health condition may have on your studies
- the impacts of your medication, if you are taking any.
The documentation must be presented on letterhead and be signed, dated and legible. Our Senior Disability Advisors maintain confidentiality and privacy with respect to your documentation and information. Alternatively, you can download the Supporting Documentation Form for your health practitioner to complete.
You'll also need to complete the release of information form to confirm you understand Griffith's Privacy Policy, and when and why we may be required to release personal information or may use non-identified data collected through our service.
Assistance animals on campus
Complete a permit form to bring assistance animals on campus.
Requests must be approved and submitted to the Facilities Manager (North) for South Bank, Nathan, Logan and Mt Gravatt campuses, or Facilities Manager (South) for the Gold Coast campus.
Disclosure and confidentiality
Disclosing your disability is a very personal decision. We encourage students with disabilities to contact us to discuss supports and services to enable full participation in all learning activities at Griffith. Anything you discuss with Senior Disability Advisors is kept confidential and only discussed with other staff with your permission and in accordance with the Privacy Plan.
We also have useful information about preparing a disclosure script to help you have discussions with staff about your disability or health condition.
Assistive technology
We have eight Assistive Technology Labs across our campuses. These labs contain computers tailored to students who are vision-impaired or have a learning or physical disability.
Workstations in the labs contain:
- screen-enlargement software (JAWS Screen Reader)
- screen-reading software (ZoomText)
- voice-recognition software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
- word-processing software for users with reading and writing difficulties (Read&Write)
- a braille embosser
- scanner and laser printer
- document magnification resources.
Find out about assistive technology software to help you study.
You can also make an appointment with a Senior Disability Advisor if you need information on how to use particular technologies.
Learning support
Study smart with the range of online resources provided by the Library to help you improve your academic and study skills.
You can also book an academic skills consultation. Learning Advisors can assist you with improving your academic skills. You can book an appointment with a Learning Advisor or a Senior Disability Advisor can refer you.
Deaf Student Support Program
The Deaf Student Support Program (DSSP) has been in place at Griffith University since 1985. Its mission is to provide customised support, services and access for Deaf and hard of hearing students.
The DSSP provides a range of services including:
- Auslan interpreters
- captioning services
- access to class notes/transcripts
- alternative exam arrangements
- reasonable adjustments for professional placements
- transcription of audio-visual material (if not already captioned)
- access to assistive listening devices and technologies.
We support University groups and elements book Auslan interpreting services on a fee-for-service basis for events and activities, and deploy Auslan interpreters to other tertiary institutes (including VET) to cover their own interpreting requirements. This has resulted in an organic development of a centralised interpreting service, which is not replicated anywhere else in Australia.
Preparing for graduate employment
Graduation day is not the day to start thinking about your employment options. Find out how to get ready for graduate employment with specific programs to support students with disabilities.
Information for future students
Find out about the Uni-Reach, Tertiary Education Experience and Signs of Success programs available for future students.
Student Disability and Accessibility
Get in contact with us or book an appointment to see how we can help.
Useful links
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