What Are “Reasonable Adjustments”?
The term “reasonable adjustments” refers to modifications or supports made to processes, environments, teaching or assessment methods to ensure that people with disability (or ongoing health conditions or caring responsibilities) can access and participate on an equal basis with people without disability.
They are not about lowering standards, giving unfair advantage, or guaranteeing success. Rather, they ensure equitable access — that disability-related barriers are addressed so the person can demonstrate their actual capability under fair conditions.
Adjustments may involve a wide range of supports depending on individual needs and context, and may include provision of accessible materials (e.g. large print, pdf files), alternative formats or modes of assessment (e.g. verbal, written), flexibility in how tasks are done (e.g. deadlines, method of participation), extra time and more.
Why They Exist: Legal & Ethical Basis
In Australia, the right to reasonable adjustments is grounded in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). Under this law, failure to provide reasonable adjustments may amount to unlawful discrimination.
For education contexts (primary/secondary, vocational training, universities), the Disability Standards for Education 2005 provides the more specific obligations for institutions to make reasonable adjustments so that students with disability can access and participate on an equal basis.
The purpose is to eliminate both direct and indirect discrimination, to ensure dignity, inclusion, equity, and equal opportunity — enabling people with disability to develop their talents, knowledge and skills to their full potential.
How Universities Typically Implement Reasonable Adjustments — What It Looks Like in Practice
Drawing on university practice gives a good model for how WAFA (or any training/credentialing organisation) could approach this. Many Australian universities and tertiary institutions have “Disability Support” or “Inclusion & Access” services.
Institutions maintain their academic standards and ensure that adjustments do not compromise essential “inherent requirements” of the course. What counts as “reasonable” depends on a balancing test: the student’s needs, the effectiveness of the adjustment, the impact on others (fellow students, staff), and the costs/benefits to the institution. Adjustments are not required if they impose an “unjustifiable hardship” (e.g. excessive cost, wilful lowering of essential standards).
Implementation typically involves the following steps:
1. Disclosure & Documentation.
Students need to disclose their needs to the institution’s Disability Support or Inclusion Service which generally requires provision of documentation from a qualified health or disability professional, confirming the nature and impact of the disability. Once registered, the institution works with the student (and sometimes their support people) to plan reasonable adjustments.
2. Individualised Adjustment Plan
Rather than a “one-size-fits-all,” adjustments are tailored to each student’s needs, considering the nature of disability, how it affects learning or participation, and what supports help. Adjustments are not static — they may be reviewed and revised over time as needs or circumstances change.
🔎 How to Access Reasonable Adjustments
To access reasonable adjustments at WAFA, please make contact with us via email at admin@workinganimals.com.au.
Our staff will work with you to establish the nature of your disability and how we can best support you to enrol and successfully complete your chosen program of study.
Remember: Disability will not prevent you from achieving a WAFA certificate, credential, or endorsement. Reasonable adjustments are designed to ensure everyone has an equitable opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.
Why Reasonable Adjustments Matter — in Education, Credentialing, and for WAFA
- They uphold human rights and anti-discrimination law: everyone has the right to access education, training, employment or services on equal footing regardless of disability.
- They recognise diversity: no two people’s needs are the same, so one fixed model of “access” will inevitably leave out some. Individualised adjustments ensure inclusion for a wide variety of impairments (physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health, etc.).
- They preserve integrity: by ensuring that academic or training standards are maintained, adjustments allow people with disability to meet the same competency standards as others — so that credentials (e.g. degrees, certificates) remain credible and meaningful.
- They enable opportunity: for people with disability to fully participate in education/training, achieve qualifications, and access jobs or professional roles — ensuring equity, inclusion, and social participation.
For WAFA reasonable adjustments are vital to your values and vision: ensuring people with disability — whether as learners, trainers, or applicants — have genuine, equitable opportunity to obtain WAFA certification or credential, provided they demonstrate the required competence.