Working with a 'practical assistant'
A ‘practical assistant’ is a person employed by the UWS Disability Service to assist students with a disability who, for various reasons, are unable to physically complete academic tasks that are essential to meet academic requirements.
Students with a disability or chronic health condition, where appropriate, will be approved to have a practical assistant who will follow specific instructions provided by the Disability Service in consultation with the student to perform academic tasks essential to the unit of study. The base number of hours allocated will depend on the number of units a student is enrolled in each session and will change if their study load changes.
Practical assistants will have a position description stipulating the work to be undertaken. No unauthorised tasks are to be performed. Position descriptions are reviewed by students and their Campus Disability Advisor periodically, usually every six months. Students are to email their Campus Disability Advisor if they no longer need practical assistance.
Practical assistants may be required to attend timetabled classes in science laboratories, clinical labs or computer labs and provide out of class assistance where appropriate in the campus library or other venues on campus.
Please note:
- An email will be sent to you from Disability Support to confirm your need for a practical assistant. To be allocated a Practical Assistant, follow the instructions in the email to ‘confirm service’ for practical assistance
- All queries need to be directed to Disability Support by calling (02) 9772 6116 or emailing disabilitysupport@uws.edu.au. At no time should you exchange mobile or home phone numbers with your practical assistant
- If you are not able to meet with your practical assistant at the agreed day and time, contact Disability Support on (02) 9772 6116 or email disabilitysupport@uws.edu.au. We strongly encourage that you give a minimum of 24 hours notice for cancellations
- If your practical assistant has not arrived to meet you within 20 minutes of the agreed day and time, contact Disability Support on (02) 9772 6116
Outside of class practical assistant
What to expect:
- Your nominated practical assistant will contact you via your MyMail (UWS student email) account to organise an initial meeting
- At the first meeting, read through the position description and negotiate the day, time, location and length of future sessions
Remember:
- Practical assistants do not provide personal care services, or assist with transport to and from university
- Practical assistants do not provide tutoring or proof reading assistance
- Practical assistants do not provide services or support off campus, e.g. on field trips, unless prior written approval has been obtained by the Disability Advisor to attend off-campus University activities
- You need to give the practical assistant specific directions to complete the required tasks
- The practical assistant is not to perform any task that is not written into their position description
In class practical assistant
What to expect:
- Your nominated practical assistant will contact you via your MyMail (student email) account to organise an initial meeting
- Your nominated practical assistant will attend all scheduled classes where they are required
- The practical assistant will introduce themselves to your tutor and will always wear their UWS staff ID
- The Disability Service will provide the practical assistant with Personal Protective Equipment as required
Remember:
- You need to give the practical assistant clear and specific directions to complete required tasks
- Practical assistants do not provide personal care services, or assist with transport to and from university
- The practical assistant is not to perform any task that is not written into their position description
- Please contact your Disability Advisor on (02) 9852 5199 if there are any issues
