Disability Access PolicyStaff and students with disabilities are an integral part of the diverse population at Haley College. Haley College's Equal Employment Opportunity and Access and Equity Policies confirm the College's commitment to providing equal opportunity for all staff, students, and applicants and to promoting inclusion through valuing diversity. Haley College is committed to continued review of all policies and practices as they affect staff, students, and applicants with disabilities. This results in the integration of the principles of equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the College's policies, procedures, decision and operations. Haley College is committed to providing an effective and supportive learning and working environment.

Objectives
Haley College is committed to achieving the following objectives:

• To ensure the broadest possible field of applicants for staff and student vacancies is reached.
• To demonstrate flexibility andresponsiveness to training of students with disabilities.
• To ensure that all courses are accessible for applicants with disabilities.
• To provide an effective and supportive environment for staff and students with disabilities.

What is a Disability
Haley College has adopted the definition of disability foun in Sub-section 4.1 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Disability, in relation to a person means:

1. a total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions; or
2. a total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
3. the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or
4. the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or
5. the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body; or
6. a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently
   from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or
7. a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality,
   emotions or judgement or that results in disturbed behaviour; and includes a disability that:
8. presently exists; or
9. previously existed but no longer exists; or
10. may exist in the future; or
11. is imputed to a person. Staff and students are not required to disclose their disability unless they are seeking accommodations or environment adjustments.

Haley College observes confidentiality in matters relating to disability, and has procedures in place to ensure confidentiality. Who is responsible? The responsibility for ensuring that there is no discrimination against staff, students and applicants based on disability lies with every staff member, manager and student. Responsibility for reporting and adjusting environment to enable the person with a disability to work or study at Haley College is the C.E.O. In the case of staff or students requiring further information this may be sought from the C.E.O.

Contractors
C.E.O. and the induction process for contractors will orientate them to Haley College's Equal Employment Opportunity, Access and Equity and Disability Policies.

Reasonable Adjustment
Reasonable adjustment means changing some feature of the work or learning environment so that people with disabilities can operate effectively.

This may vary from providing storage at reasonable heights for people in wheelchairs to providing self directed learning packages for a person with a hearing disability.

Each type of adjustment is considered on its merits and is related to the specific disability and to the essential requirements of the position or course of study.

The adjustment will involve the prospective or current employee or student as one of the main sources of information the adjustment needed.

It is not unlawful to discriminate against person with a disability if the adjustment would impose unjustifiable hardship on Haley College.

However, the College must be able to prove that an adjustment would cause it unjustifiable hardship. Factors to be considered include the cost, any negative impact on other employees or students, and the benefit that the person with disability and Haley College would gain from the service or facility that would be provided by the adjustment.

The principle of reasonable adjustment affects decisions in all areas of employment and education.

It encourages more flexible and creative ways of working and teaching and may assist in improving conditions for everyone.

Complaints
Staff and students are expected to comply with Haley College's policy and refrain from engaging in any discriminatory or harassing behaviour. Discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated. Staff, students and applicants who believe they have been treated unfairly on the grounds of disability are encouraged to discuss the matter with the C.E.O or Course Coordinator. Any complaints will be investigated in a confidential manner. If found to have grounds, remedial or disciplinary action will be taken by the C.E.O. In serious cases this may involve expulsion or dismissal. Normal disciplinary review procedures apply for staff and complaints and appeals process to be followed for students. If complainants prefer they may lodge the complaint directly with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Privacy
Claims of discrimination on the grounds of disability will be investigated with as much privacy to all involved individuals as is possible. Information about the claim will only be give on a "need to know" basis.