Did you know? 18% of Australians live with disability. That’s 1 in 6, or approximately 4.4 million people (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020).
Today is the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). Started by the United Nations, IDPwD aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. Since 1996, Australia has been a proud supporter of IDPwD. This includes encouraging individuals, schools, community groups, businesses and organisations to get involved and hold events on, or around, 3 December.
At Griffith, we acknowledge that increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability may not happen overnight. That’s why we have services and resources that allow staff and students living with disability to participate fully in all spheres of employment and study without barriers. The University offers a range of information, resources and training to create accessible learning environments, such as:
- Accessible course materials
- Assistive technology
- Video captioning and transcription
- Web accessibility
- Auslan interpreters and captioning for events
- Leveraging the accessibility features of Microsoft 365 software
- Griffith University training and resource options
- External training and resource options accessed via Griffith University
Did you know? 2.6 million Australians are carers of people living with disability. One third of those Australians are primary carers, with women being 2.5 times more likely than men to be a primary carer (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2019).
At Griffith Library, we pride ourselves on being inclusive, supportive and accessible. The Library offers sit/stand study desk options and lifts inside all our multi-level libraries. We also offer silent, quiet and social study spaces that can be accessed by all Griffith students. Library Assistive Technology Centres are available for students with a disability. Students are able to access a swipe card for the Assistive Technology Centres by contacting Disability Services.
Our Digital Library is open 24/7. Go to the Library website and browse our self-help study resources, databases, Library guides, and catalogue—from anywhere at any time. We have resources to help you access our online resources, learn more about our Library apps, and find information about ebooks. And our ebooks have accessibility options that can be enabled when reading online.
Source: Griffith University
All Library frontline service staff have access to the SBS Inclusion Program, a suite of online training courses that help staff and students to embrace diversity and promote a safe, happy and productive workplace. The Disability course is designed to improve your understanding of disability in all its guises, and to show how employment options for people with disability can be improved and embraced.
All Griffith staff and students can enrol in the SBS Inclusion Program by:
- Going to Learning@Griffith
- Selecting Organisations
- Searching for the SBS Inclusion Program
- Enrolling into the course
Did you know? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disability are less likely to be participating in the labour force than those without disability. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021).
Griffith University is dedicated to ensuring all staff and students can participate fully in all spheres of employment and study without barriers. The University has demonstrated a strategic commitment to ensuring accessibility across the physical, digital and learning environments initiatives such as our Disability Action Plan and the I am more than my disability campaign.
Need more information? Check out the University’s Accessibility web page and challenge the way you think about disability to help grow a more inclusive Australia.
