About ECU

ECU Disability Collective

ECU Disability Collective is a student run club which exists to support all students with permanent or temporary disability, medical condition, and mental health condition through creating a safe place for all, improving accessibility on campus, creating disability awareness, helping students with disability transition to life at university, and create discussions on matters of general concern for current students with disability.

Accessible Services at the Library

All ECU Campus Libraries offers accessible services, facilities and collections to students with disability throughout their academic journey. Library staff can assist students with disability with orientation of the building, searching the catalogue, individual library support and instructions, postal delivery service, and more depending on each student’s access needs.

Workshops and other services

Access and Inclusion offer a range of services from mentoring programs and sensory spaces to workshops.

The Living Room

The Living Room is all about supporting students’ wellbeing and mental health while they study at ECU. The Living Room is a space where students drop in to have a relaxed chat with a trained peer who understands the students’ journey.

Staff with Disability Network

A group of staff with disability at ECU are currently co-designing the Staff with Disability Network, to be launched in mid-2024, together with the Equity Projects team under Access and Equity. The mission of the Network is to connect and support staff with disability at ECU and membership is open to all those with a lived experience of disability.

For more information about the Staff with Disability Network email equity@ecu.edu.au.

Disability Ally Network

In 2023, ECU launched the Disability Ally Network (DAN) for staff who identify as allies to people with disability. The ECU Disability Ally Network is a visible network of staff who identify as allies to people with disability. The Network promotes a higher education environment that is inclusive, safe, and respectful for all persons representing ECU’s core values – integrity, respect, rational inquiry, personal excellence, and courage. At the foundation are the Network Members who are disability allies committed to fostering an inclusive environment and advocating for the rights of people with disability. These allies engage in various initiatives, events, and awareness campaigns.

For more information about DAN email equity@ecu.edu.au

At ECU, we are passionate about creating an accessible and inclusive learning and working environment where all students, staff, and community members with disability are well supported to have their access and support needs met. We understand that some barriers still exists within our systems, processes, and in our built environment and we value the contribution of those with lived experience of disability who play a significant role in creating an inclusive culture and environment here at ECU.

Each year throughout the month of July, Disability Pride Month is celebrated across Western Australia and in other parts of the world. ECU is proud to celebrate Disability Pride Month on our Joondalup, Mount Lawley, South West campus and online. We also acknowledge other days of significance throughout the year for the disability community and their allies such as International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, International Day of Sign Languages, Mental Health Month, and National Carers Week.

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.

CYDA is the peak organisation representing the rights and interests of children and young people with disability (aged 0-25) in Australia.

Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN)

YDAN is a leading advocacy organisation and the peak representative body in Western Australia for young people with disabilities.

Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training (ADCET)

In order to facilitate successful outcomes and improve the educational experience for students with disability, ADCET provides information, advice and resources to disability practitioners, academics, teachers and students on inclusive practices within the post-secondary education sector.

Disability Gateway

Disability Gateway assists all people with disability, their families and carers to locate and access services across Australia.

People with Disabilities Western Australia (PWdWA)

PWdWA provides non-legal advocacy to people with disabilities. Advocacy is the process of standing alongside individuals to ensure that people are able to speak out, to express their views and uphold their rights. PWdWA advocacy services are available to any person with a disability. You do not have to be a member to access advocacy.