The Australian National University is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive and equitable environment where people with disability can fully participate in education, employment, research and university life.
The Disability Action Plan 2026–2028 (DAP) provides a university-wide framework for advancing disability inclusion across ANU. It reflects our commitment to removing barriers, embedding accessibility into decision-making, and creating an environment where students, staff and visitors with disability can thrive.
Developed through consultation with staff, students and key stakeholders across the University, the DAP adopts the social model of disability, recognising that disability arises from the interaction between individuals and systemic, environmental and attitudinal barriers. Through this plan, ANU commits to identifying and removing those barriers and creating a culture of inclusion, respect and belonging.
Strategic Framework & Focus Areas
The DAP is structured around six key Focus Areas, each with defined goals, actions, responsibilities, and measures to ensure complete transparency and institutional accountability.
- Inclusive Culture and Leadership
Goal: Embed disability inclusion into the University's values, leadership and everyday practices. - Digital Accessibility
Goal: Ensure our policies and practices support digital environments that are accessible to students, staff and visitors with disability. - Accessible Environment
Goal: Ensure physical spaces and facilities are accessible, inclusive and aspire to go beyond minimum compliance standards. - Inclusive Employment
Goal: Support staff with disability to thrive through recruitment, career development and workplace participation. - Inclusive Education
Goal: Ensure students with disability have equitable access to learning, support and academic success - Engagement and Continuous Improvement
Goal: Ensure accountability, transparency and ongoing improvement in disability inclusion.
Legislative Compliance & Integrated Institutional Strategies
As a public institution, ANU ensures its access commitments are grounded in enforceable federal, territory, and international standards. The implementation of this Plan will be formally submitted to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to demonstrate our proactive commitment to reducing discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
Governance and Reporting
Implementation of the Disability Action Plan is overseen by the Chief People Officer and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), supported by the ANU Executive Sponsor for Disability. Progress will be monitored through regular reporting, consultation with staff and students with disability, and ongoing review of priorities and outcomes.
The University will publish regular progress updates to promote transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.
Documents
- ANU Disability Action Plan 2026–2028 (PDF)
- ANU Disability Action Plan 2026–2028 (Accessible Word Doc)
Website links
Feedback and Input
The Disability Action Plan is intended to be a living document. We warmly welcome ongoing input, insights, or feedback from students, staff, and visitors regarding access and inclusion at ANU.
Documents
- Disability Action Plan 2026–2028 [PDF] (PDF, 2.6 MB)
- Disability Action Plan 2026–2028 [Word doc] (DOCX, 4.66 MB)
Use contact details to request an alternative file format.