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RMIT plans to disable students

Sarah Jane Miles & Atsuko Nagami, Melbourne

4 May 2007

RMIT university is proposing to sack note-takers and Auslan (Australian sign language) interpreters currently working at its Disability Liaison Unit (DLU), replacing them with contracted staff from outside RMIT to “save” a mere $98,000 a year.

At least 45 jobs, most of which are held by RMIT students, will be slashed if this move goes ahead. RMIT has acknowledged the plan is driven not by any shortcomings in the DLU’s service, but simply by a desire to cut costs.

RMIT has said that there is currently no means in place to monitor the quality of the services, which leaves no guarantee of the ability to monitor quality if the services, including management of students’ confidential files, are handled by contracted staff. This change could endanger a support system relied heavily upon by many students.

The current note-takers and Auslan interpreters, some of whom have 8-15 of experience, have demonstrated long-standing familiarity with academic requirements in an extensive number of programs.

All students and staff at RMIT would be affected by a reduced level of support for students with disabilities. One in three people will suffer from a disability at some point in their lives.

There has been an estimated 80% increase in students accessing the DLU with mental illness, as well as a plethora of other disabilities, such as learning impairments, physical and intellectual disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

Currently, the proposal is being scrutinised for potential breaches of both the Workplace Relations Act and the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).

Eighty students and staff gathered outside vice-chancellor Margaret Gardner’s office on April 26 to protest against RMIT proposal. Ten pages of signed petitions were slid under the VC’s door.

An open public meeting on the issue has been planned for May 16. An invitation to Gardner to speak has not yet been accepted.

If you would like to get involved in the campaign against RMIT’s attack on the DLU, weekly campaign collective meetings are being held on Mondays at 5pm. Building 8, Level 3, Meeting Room C, RMIT. There is disabled access.

For more information email Emily Fishman, RMIT student welfare officer, at .