Assistive Services
STUDENT ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT (SAS)
Can help you with general direction of where to get help and how to approach people or services. They offer support more specifically for:
- Academic progress concerns and early warning letters
- Academic misconduct
- Special consideration
- How to go about making a grievances/complaint about the university
- Incorrect results
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS)
DSS provides assistance to students whose studies may be affected by a disability, ongoing medical condition or mental health condition, and to students who are carers. DSS aims to create the most accessible and equal tertiary education experience for these students.
What they can provide/assist with:
- Academic support workers
- Alternative formatting
- Hearing augmentation
- Assistive technology
- In-semester accommodations e.g. flexibility in assignment deadlines
- Resting rooms/assistive technology rooms
Email: disabilitysupportservices@monash.edu
Call: 9905 5704
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR EXAMS AND ASSESSMENTS
Managing academia can be difficult when you have a disability and/or caring responsibilities and you may sometimes find yourself struggling and/or facing difficulty. If you think you need to take a step back from studies, it is always worth applying for special consideration.
In-semester: These often result in either a deferred test, alternative form of assessment or an extended deadline, often to a maximum of 7-10 days depending on the faculty.
End-of-semester/exams: These are often made if you are unable to sit an exam or end-of-semester assessment. Remember that just because you think you can physically attend, if you are struggling it is better to seek exam deferral and sit the exam at a better time.
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What you need:
In-semester/end-of-semester form [make this an illustration]. Supporting documentation [illustration] this is often from a medical professional (e.g. doctor or psychologist) or by other professionals in a professional body. If you are registered with DSS and are eligible for flexibility in assignment deadlines, then you will have a letter from DSS you can attach.
- You don’t have to go into extensive detail about your condition, often “due to a health condition the student was unfit/unable to complete the assessment by the specified date.” should suffice from a medical doctor
- If you don’t have your supporting documentation yet but will soon, you can often still submit an application stating that you’ll attach the supporting documentation later. It is good to give an estimate of when you will have the supporting documentation by
- Remember that there are doctors and Psychologists on campus that can provide documentation for you
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Time:
In semester: you can apply anytime before the assessment and no later than two University working days after the due date. [illustration of a clock/ or something indicating days?]
- Late applications can be accepted by the discretion of the faculty
- No applications are accepted once results are released for the assessment
End-of-semester: you can apply for early approval of a deferred exam up until five University working-days before your exam. If you miss your exam, you can apply for special consideration within two working days. If you feel unwell during an exam, you can ask for a nurse to see you to determine whether you are able to complete the exam or not.
If you feel unwell of the day of the exam, it is better to not sit your exam and apply for special consideration rather than to sit your exam, because exam cancellation policy has become stricter.
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The how:
Print off the special consideration form and fill it out. Scan the form and your supporting documentation (a clear photo will often do). How you submit your special consideration application depends on the faculty, it is often submitted online or over email.
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What happens after:
In-semester: the faculty teaching the unit will email your student account with the outcome of your application, this outcome may be a deferred test, alternative form of assessment or extended deadline.
End-of-semester: if you applied for early approval of a deferred exam you'll receive an email notification at least 24 hours before the exam about whether or not you have a deferred exam. If you applied within two working days after your missed exam, you’ll be notified of the decision through the Web Enrolment System (WES).
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Who you can go to for help with Special consideration applications:
- Disability support services
- Student advocacy and support
- Ask your unit coordinator or faculty for advice
If the conditions surrounding your reason for special consideration are on-going, it is worth registering with DSS to see if permanent accommodations can be made (e.g. resting time during exams, a separate room).
For more information about special consideration and different faculty submission processes for both in-semester and end-of-semester/exams click here.
