· The following examples of adjustments for particular circumstances are provided to encourage developers to reflect on whether the components they are developing or reviewing provide sufficient information about possible reasonable adjustments. The examples and suggestions are just that – they will not necessarily be sufficient for all similar circumstances or for all Training Packages.
· Scenario: A learner with a physical disability is prevented from performing dissections in biology training because the bench being used is too high; the ability to reach a certain height is not an essential part of dissection.
· Possible adjustments: The student could perform the dissection task if they were provided with a lower or ergonomically‐designed table or with a higher or ergonomically‐designed stool.
· Scenario: A learner with mobility disability is prevented from accessing particular workplace premises without modifications; being able to climb stairs is not an inherent part of the workplace competency.
· Possible adjustments: Installing ramps or elevators, installing accessible toilets and ensuring that classes are timetabled in rooms accessible to a person with mobility disability.
· Modifying or providing equipment
· Scenario: A learner can perform the required tasks, but not use the standard equipment, and the use of standard equipment is not an essential component of the competency.
· Possible adjustments: For vision‐impaired or blind students, adjustments could include enlarged computer screens, magnifier technology, audio alternative format, assistive technology and adaptive software. For hearing impaired students, adjustments could include installing an audio loop system and captioning.
· Adapting assessment strategies
· Scenario 1: A learner is capable of undertaking assessment in the required workplace functions but, because of their disability, cannot concentrate for long periods; this capacity is not an essential requirement of the workplace competency.
· Possible adjustments: Adjusting assessment strategies in a way that does not affect the integrity of the assessment such as allowing extended time, assessing in a separate space, allowing breaks during assessment or providing oral testing for the person with a disability could be appropriate.
· Scenario 2: A person with acquired brain injury finds assessment in a classroom setting extremely stressful, and is thereby prevented from giving their optimum performance.
· Possible adjustments: To reduce this pressure, assessment could be adjusted so that it occurs over time, being progressively incorporated into a program of real work undertaken by the person with a disability within an enterprise. An alternative could be to adjust the setting, timing and scheduling of assessments
· Adapting delivery strategies
· Scenario: A student is capable of undertaking the training but the format of the essential materials and assessment material is inaccessible.
· Possible adjustments: Providers could ensure Training Package support materials such as study notes, research materials and essential materials are made available (in a reasonable period) in alternative formats such as large print, audio or electronic, or could provide an Auslan interpreter or captioning for deaf and hearing‐impaired people.
1.9.8 Example where an adjustment could compromise outcomes
· There will be occasions and circumstances when a adjustment would compromise the academic integrity of a course or program, or would constitute a diminution of the academic requirements of the course or program, and other requirements or components that are inherent in or essential to its nature. If this were the case, refusal to make this adjustment to the course or program would not be unlawful under the DDA or the Standards.
· For example, a person with intellectual disability, whose literacy levels are low, may enrol in a qualification that includes a unit with the requirement of reading and interpreting chemical or other labels. While the person might be able to participate in other units, this particular unit comprises a requirement that the person with intellectual disability cannot meet on their own. Any assistance or adjustment provided by another person to help the candidate read or interpret labels might give rise to significant safety issues in the workplace. For example, while the assessor could ask oral questions rather than requiring reading the label, this could compromise the integrity of essential workplace outcomes. In such a case, it would be prudent to state clearly, perhaps in the evidence guide, that the reading and interpreting of labels is essential to that particular unit of competency.
1.9.9 Reflecting reasonable adjustments in Training Package components
· As described above, education providers are under a legal obligation to consult about and consider the implementation of reasonable adjustments to ensure that people with a disability are not disadvantaged in access to and participation in vocational education and training. Education providers must make these adjustments to the maximum extent that does not cause them unjustifiable hardship. Training Package developers should ensure that Training Packages are flexible enough, and provide sufficient guidance and recommendations, to allow for reasonable adjustments in implementation.
· Developers can use various strategies to ensure the units of competency do not disadvantage people with a disability, and can provide their users with guidance and examples of what might be reasonable adjustments for particular units of competency. See the Units of Competency Guidelines for more information.
1.9.10 Funding for reasonable adjustment
· Funding for reasonable adjustments in employment and education and training might come from a variety of sources, including employers, RTOs, State and Territory Governments and the Commonwealth Government. Government funding arrangements vary according to the jurisdiction.
· Most State and Territory Training Authorities have disability support officers or liaison staff who may be able to advise RTOs and employers about accessing funds for reasonable adjustment. Learners and employees with disabilities, peak disability organisations and other groups with expertise in disability issues may also be able to provide information on possible sources of funding.
· Training Package developers should make it clear in the Training Package where the need for reasonable adjustment could occur, and the sorts of adjustments that could be required, not only to assist trainers and assessors, but also to assist RTOs, purchasers of training, planners and funding bodies in assisting them to build any likely additional costs into their funding models. However, as described above, individual education providers must make adjustments where they are reasonable and to the maximum extent that they do not cause unjustifiable hardship.
1.9.11 Costs for reasonable adjustment
· Research shows that most people with a disability require only minor reasonable adjustments to allow them to undertake training and employment on the same basis as people without disability.
· The importance of completing a thorough, considered and lateral‐thinking process of consultation on reasonable adjustments cannot be overstated.
· Perceived and actual costs in making reasonable adjustments often are outweighed by the wider benefits they bring for training organisations, employers, learner peers, co‐employees and others coming into the workplace; for example, by increasing the diversity of the client base and, for employers, savings in staff retention, productivity, morale and customer service. By way of illustration, installation of a ramp to allow access to a workplace or service facility for a person with mobility disability also benefits other customers requiring wheelchair access, people delivering goods with trolleys, customers with prams, and elderly customers.
All the text above was copied from http://www.advantagetraining.com.au/certificate-iv-training-and-assessment-tae-tae40110/ training course