Access and Equity*

1. Staff are required to treat all students equitably on the basis of this access and equity policy.
2. "Access" refers to admission to a course. WU courses are open to qualified applicants regardless of gender, social position, age, physical disability, or racial, ethnic, cultural or linguistic background.
3. Applicants will not be refused admission on the basis of a disability. If the prospective applicant has a disability that would affect participation, he/she is advised to take one or more of the following steps:
   1. seek advice from WU on the risks and limitations.
   2. enquire about reasonable adjustments (see below).
   3. enquire about other courses that meet the applicant's goals and in which they will have a greater chance of successful completion
   4. enquire about useful units in the course.
   5. enquire about other courses that utilize the applicant's strengths.
4. "Equity" is defined in this usage as fair treatment during study and assessment.
5. Equity relates to fairness regarding gender, social position, age, physical disability, or racial, ethnic, cultural or linguistic background.
6. Individual students are entitled to reasonable adjustments or allowances that are necessary for a fair chance of successful completion of studies. Equitable treatment does not mean that all students must be treated the same.
7. The adjustment may not incur unfair financial cost to the program, nor compromise program requirements.
8. Students will not be given an adjustment if it appears to make no significant difference to the assessment outcome, i.e.:
   1. an adjustment provides little benefit for the student, or
   2. lack of an adjustment provides little detriment for the student.
9. If the student cannot perform the program outcomes within allowable adjustments, a failing grade will be given.
10. In negotiating an assessment procedure:
    1. Staff have a right to suggest and approve assessment procedures.
    2. Students must demonstrate unfairness if they reject an assessment procedure.
    3. Students have a right to suggest reasonable alternative assessment strategies.
    4. If a student cannot show unfairness in an assessment procedure but will not accept it, then he/she will not be assessed.

*Based on Building diversity in vocational education and employment Department of Training and Employment, Perth 1999.