Curtin University has launched its new Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, which embeds universal design across the delivery of education, employment and facilities to all students, staff and visitors.
The plan, which is in place until 2030, guides the University’s vision to create an innovative, inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong. This includes having captions in our new ilecture recordings to ensure students have access to their course materials in their preferred format and updating recruitment practices to support increased participation by an increasingly diverse cohort of staff.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the University was committed to embracing the challenges and opportunities of our times in a bid to advance a greater understanding of inclusivity.
“Our new Disability Access and Inclusion Plan goes a step further and takes our aspirations to the next level by embedding universal design thinking into all our activities at Curtin,” Professor Hayne said.
“Our approach has evolved from adopting universal design practices towards facilitating and now embedding this into all aspects of the Curtin experience. Our course design and the delivery of our teaching, learning and employment practices are shaped for inclusion from the outset.
“We continue to incorporate transformative approaches, engaging in evidence-based research that is inclusive and reflective of our diverse students and staff to deliver best practice services.”
Professor Hayne said a university experience can make a transformational difference to people’s lives and the communities we serve.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels valued and confident that their participation in higher education will be a stepping-stone to a more secure future,” Professor Hayne said.
“We are driven by our values, and we aim to inspire others to also take the lead in this important space, becoming champions of diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all. Curtin’s responsibility to foster inclusivity and create an equitable community is underpinned by our ongoing commitment to improving access, inclusion, and participation for everyone to enable positive outcomes.”
Curtin’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, which was co-designed in collaboration with staff and students with disability, is available in alternative formats, including electronic, hard copy in standard and large print, audio, email or other formats, on request.
In line with Curtin’s 2030 Strategic Plan, the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan also supports the University’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These goals include ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages; full and productive employment and decent work for all; the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
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