Learning accommodations request template
You are entitled to your education, and reasonable accommodations are required to be made for you, recognised as a right by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, article 24. Accessible and equitable education is also part of Australia’s disability strategy 2021-2031. I say this as a preface, because should you face resistance, it is important that you know your rights in this area.
Furthermore, you do NOT need to disclose your disability diagnosis, and the school or university is not supposed to ask. What they can request is a letter from a treating practitioner confirming you are eligible for disability supports. Your GP or an allied health professional can provide this.
Beyond that, you do not have to tell them your diagnosis. If asked, you can simply politely remind the person you are in discussion with that you do not have to disclose the nature of your disability, however you are happy to discuss your accommodation requirements.
I would recommend that for secondary school and University students you assume this letter will be required.
Accommodation request for school or university template:
Hello, My name is [Introduce yourself], I am a [Year level if in high school or course and year for university.]. I am writing to Request a meeting/a phone call/[other form of communication that meets your needs] to discuss learning accommodations in relation to my disability. Accommodations I am requesting are [state what you need. Examples include extra time on tests, the ability to type exams instead of writing, braille learning materials, sign language being available, different learning formats, extra time to get to and from classes, your classes being in close proximity to each other, exams in separate rooms, access to a clarifier for assessment tasks]. I have attached/will provide if needed a letter from my [Insert the type of practitioner who has provided or will provide your letter] which confirms the necessity of this/these accommodations. [if you have requested a in person discussion, phone call, video chat or any form of discussion that requires scheduling, at this point offer three dates + times you could have said discussion.] [if you have not requested a schedulable conversation, request an email back with a term that has an appropriate level of urgency. ‘as soon as possible’, ‘at your earliest convenience’, ‘before the term / semester begins’] so that we can ensure that everyone is on the same page. Thank you for your time, [your name again]
Who would you send this to?
Your school’s additional needs program or disability support program.
relevant resources:
1. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to education. With a view to realizing this right without discriminatio
policy-det.vic.gov.au
