Disability and Australian higher education: Policy drivers for increasing participation

Abstract

People with a disability comprise one of the largest growing and most complex groups within higher education. A Fair Chance for All noted that people with disabilities tend to be treated as a homogeneous group, but that assistance needs to be carefully targeted to individuals. Access has risen since the Framework was introduced, and universities have improved the physical accessibility of their campuses, their data collection abilities, and their knowledge of disability types and conditions. Nevertheless, funding remains limited, a focus on compliance dominates, and graduate outcomes are relatively poor for people with a disability. A renewed focus on achievement and employment is required alongside continuing initiatives to raise access.