Accessibility and inclusion

At Bond University, we endeavour to provide students with a seamless transition to university and student life. Bond’s dedicated Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor provides students with a disability or medical condition with support and helps to facilitate reasonable adjustments to study.

Accessibility and inclusion for students applying to Bond

Applicants are encouraged to disclose their medical condition or disability on their application for admission. Early notification allows the timely application of approved reasonable adjustments.

Accessibility and Inclusion will contact each applicant who discloses a medical condition or disability to discuss support and reasonable adjustments at Bond University.

It is important that applicants are aware of the Inherent requirements for their chosen program. Inherent requirements are the essential abilities, knowledge, and skills required to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. By registering with Accessibility and Inclusion, students can receive tailored support and reasonable adjustments that promote equitable participation alongside their peers.

Get personalised support for your studies

If you have a disability, medical or mental health condition, injury, or other circumstances that may impact your studies, you can register with Accessibility and Inclusion for individualised support.

At Accessibility and Inclusion we will work with you to develop a Learning Access Plan (LAP) that outlines reasonable adjustments and strategies to help you participate fully in your studies at Bond.

Register with BondAbility to access support

What support can I get?

Support is tailored to your individual needs and may include:

Exam adjustments (e.g. extra time, rest breaks)
Flexibility with attendance or deadlines (where appropriate)
Assistive technology and study tools
Planning for placements or practical components
Strategies to support your learning and wellbeing

Support will vary depending on your situation and course requirements.

Who should register?

You can register with BondAbility if you have:

A disability (physical, sensory, intellectual, neurological)
A mental health condition
A medical or chronic health condition
A learning difference (e.g. dyslexia, ADHD)
A temporary injury or condition affecting your studies

If you are unsure if you are eligible, you are encouraged to email Accessibility and Inclusion.

When should I register?

You are encouraged to register with Accessibility and Inclusion as early as possible, ideally before the semester commences, to allow time for reasonable adjustments to be implemented.

If you register with Accessibility and Inclusion by the end of Week 2, your Learning Access Plan (LAP) and approved reasonable adjustments can be in place for the current semester. You can still register at any time during the semester; however, If you register later, your adjustments may not take effect until the following semester.

How to register with accessibility and inclusion

1. Register

To request reasonable adjustments or explore available support, register with Accessibility and Inclusion through BondAbility.

BondAbility securely stores your confidential information (including supporting documentation) and lists the approved reasonable adjustments in your Learning Access Plan (LAP).

BondAbility

2. Supporting Medical or Other Approved Health Practitioner Information

Upload documentation from your treating health practitioner or other relevant professional.
If you’re waiting for documentation, you can still submit your registration and upload it later once available.

Health practitioner report form

3. Meet with Accessibility and Inclusion

After registering, book an appointment with Accessibility and Inclusion to discuss your needs and potential reasonable adjustments.

You’re welcome to meet with the Advisor even before your medical information is available.

Book an appointment

4. During your appointment

During your appointment, you may:

Receive a Learning Access Plan (LAP) outlining approved reasonable adjustments.
Be connected with appropriate support services at Bond University.
Receive information about tools and resources to support your learning.
Begin planning for placements or practical requirements if applicable to your program

5. Requesting a review of your LAP

If you would like to update your LAP or request a review of your approved reasonable adjustments, please Book an appointment or email [email protected] for more information.

To request reasonable adjustments or explore available support, register with Accessibility and Inclusion through BondAbility.

BondAbility securely stores your confidential information (including supporting documentation) and lists the approved reasonable adjustments in your Learning Access Plan (LAP).

BondAbility

Campus accessibility

Accessibility services and resources

From accessible campus facilities to academic resources, we provide a number of services that focus on creating an inclusive environment for all students.
Emergency procedures

Students with a disability or temporary medical condition can apply for a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). A PEEP will ensure students are prepared to self-evacuate or reach safety in the event of an emergency.
For more information, please contact the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor.
Email: [email protected]
Parking on campus

Parking spaces are available for people with short or long term disability issues. A current Queensland Transport Disability Parking Permit will be required to entitle the holder to parking privilege. Students who require disabled parking should apply via the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads - Disability Parking Permit Scheme. Vehicle parking for students and staff is free of charge.
Find out more
Study spaces

Students who receive adjustments to study, noted in a Learning Access Plan have access to the Library Assistive Technology Room (ATR). Bookings can be made via the Bond Library site.
BOOK A ROOM
Parents room

The University has two Parent's Rooms on campus:
- Level 1, Building 9 - Room Facilities: feeding chair, microwave, sink, hot water and change table
- Level 4, Building 5 - Room Facilities: feeding chair (change table and kitchen facilities located adjacent to room)
The rooms are available for breastfeeding mothers and other parents/carers who may have children on campus.

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Reasonable adjustments and learning access plans

What is a Learning Access Plan?

A Learning Access Plan (LAP) is a personalised document that lists reasonable adjustments made for a student at Bond University.

According to the Disability Standards for Education (2005) a Reasonable Adjustment is a measure (or group of measures) implemented by an education provider to assist a student with a disability to apply, enrol and participate in a course or program and utilise the facilities and services of the institution on the same basis as a student without a disability.

LAP's will be endorsed by their faculty before being communicated with the student and their educators. Students should then proactively reach out and discuss their LAP with their educators.

What are reasonable adjustments?

Bond University is committed to providing personalised support to each student based on their individual needs.

We will always make every effort to accommodate reasonable adjustments; however, the University acknowledges that resources and facilities may sometimes be limited. Students are encouraged to connect with Accessibility and Inclusion as early as possible to plan and organise their adjustments.

Because reasonable adjustments are tailored to each student’s circumstances, support needs, and the inherent requirements of their program, it’s not possible to provide an exhaustive list of available adjustments.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) provides protection for everyone in Australia against discrimination based on disability. Under this Act, through the Disability Standards for Education 2005, educational institutions are required to provide reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities or health conditions.

Reasonable adjustments are modifications made to learning environments, teaching methods, or assessment formats. These adjustments are designed to help students with disabilities or health conditions participate in education on an equitable basis with other students. The purpose of these adjustments is to ensure that all students have fair access to educational opportunities while still meeting the core requirements of their courses.

Educational institutions must consider the needs of all parties involved when implementing reasonable adjustments. They are permitted to maintain what are called inherent requirements - these are the essential components of a course that cannot be altered without compromising its integrity. If a student cannot meet an inherent requirement even with adjustments, the institution should provide guidance and support to help the student explore alternatives. It's important to understand that institutions are not required to make adjustments that would cause unjustifiable hardship to the organisation, though they must demonstrate why such hardship would occur.

What type of supporting documentation do I need?

To create a Learning Access Plan (LAP), you’ll need to provide supporting documentation from a qualified health practitioner. This documentation must:

Include information about your condition or diagnosis
Describe how your studies may be affected by your condition or circumstances
Specify whether your condition is permanent, ongoing, or temporary (and if temporary, the expected recovery timeframe)
Be recorded in a Health Practitioner Report, a letter, or an official report
Include the practitioner’s provider number and/or stamp, and be dated and signed
Be written in English (or translated by an accredited translator)

Health Practitioner Report Form

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late to register with Accessibility and Inclusion?

It’s recommended that incoming students with a disability or health condition register with Accessibility and Inclusion before commencing their studies. Learning Access Plans (LAPs) outlining approved reasonable adjustments can be finalised up to the end of Week 2 each semester. After this time, adjustments will be implemented where possible; if they cannot be accommodated within the current semester, they will be applied in the following semester.

Do I need to speak to my educators?

Students and their educators will receive a copy of the Learning Access Plan (LAP) once it has been approved by the Faculty. Students are encouraged to contact their educators early in the semester to discuss their LAP and how reasonable adjustments will be applied in each subject. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Accessibility and Inclusion.

How are reasonable adjustments made for mid-semester and end-semester exams?

Subject educators typically arrange mid-semester exams within each faculty. If you have questions about how your reasonable adjustments apply to these exams, please contact your educator first. If your query isn’t resolved, you can then reach out to the relevant Student Affairs and Service Quality (SASQ) team for your faculty.

End-of-semester exams are organised centrally by the Timetabling and Exams team and usually take place between Weeks 13 and 15. Students with approved reasonable adjustments for examinations will receive an email from the Timetabling and Exams team confirming their specific arrangements.

If you have any questions about your end-of-semester exam arrangements, please contact the team at [email protected]

Do I need to renew my learning access plan?

Students with permanent conditions that do not fluctuate are generally issued an ongoing Learning Access Plan (LAP). Your first LAP may include an expiry date to allow an opportunity for review and check-in. Please take note of this date and contact the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor if you have any questions or would like to confirm whether your LAP applies for the duration of your degree.

Who do I ask for help?

Please contact Accessibility and Inclusion if you require additional support or would like to review or modify your reasonable adjustments.

For assistance with the provision of approved reasonable adjustments or help resolving any related issues, you can also contact your faculty’s Student Affairs and Service Quality (SASQ) team.

What happens if my disability or health conditions changes?

Students are encouraged to contact Accessibility and Inclusion if their condition changes and they require additional support or reasonable adjustments. You can book an appointment or email Accessibility and Inclusion to discuss your needs.

Need to update your support?

If your situation changes or you need to adjust your support, contact Accessibility & Inclusion.

Book an appointment

Email [email protected]

Feedback

Feedback is valued as it gives Bond University insight into the student experience and allows Bond to pursue continuous improvement.

Feedback can be:

Complements: Has someone gone above and beyond?

Complaints: Has a service not met your expectations?

New ideas or suggestions: Do you have an idea of how to make things better?

Legislation, principles and policies

Bond University is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment. The following legislation and standards guide how we support students and staff with disability and ensure equal access to education.

The Australian Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) makes it unlawful for a tertiary education institution to discriminate against a person with a disability on the grounds of disability. The DDA specifically includes learning disability in its definition of disability.

The Australian Human Rights Commission can investigate complaints of discrimination, harassment and bullying based on a person's disability. This includes temporary and permanent disabilities; physical, intellectual, sensory, psychiatric disabilities, diseases or illnesses; medical conditions; work related injuries; past, present and future disabilities; and association with a person with a disability.

The Disability Standards for Education 2005clarify the obligations of education and training providers and seek to ensure that students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as students without disability. The Standards were developed under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and came into effect in August 2005.

Bond University Accessibility and Inclusion Policy

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure all current and prospective students, carers of students, and staff with disability have inclusive access to Bond University’s buildings and facilities, services, information, events and academic programs in accordance with the obligations Bond University has under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Services Act 2006.

Click here to learn more on the Intranet site.

Accessibility and inclusion