ANSWD acknowledges that those with
disabilities are disabled, not so much by their
individual (or multiple) impairments, but by the barriers
put in place by society.
ANSWD is a network of tertiary students with
disabilities from each state of Australia and throughout
New Zealand, who acknowledge the importance of widespread
representation of students with disabilities in the
tertiary sector.
ANSWD is committed to ensuring the rights of
students with disabilities to have equal and equitable
access to tertiary education, and to eliminate
discrimination at all levels. ANSWD understands
accessibility as being the ability to access, utilise or
participate independently of others, with safety and
dignity. In addition, ANSWD is also committed to playing
an active role in keeping a watch over government
decisions that adversely affect tertiary students with
disabilities, and to challenge these decisions whenever
necessary. This can be in the form of a national campaign
or lobbying government at a more local level.
ANSWD acknowledges the inadequacy of
representation of students with disabilities within the
tertiary sector, and also on decision-making committees,
and is committed to working towards gaining
representation of students with disabilities at all
universities, and on all campuses throughout our network
area.
ANSWD acknowledges the right of students with
disabilities not to disclose, or identify as having a
disability, however, encourage all students with
disabilities within the tertiary sector in South-East
Asia, Australia, and New Zealand to access the ANSWD
discussion list and to play an active role in furthering
representation of students with disabilities at all
tertiary institutions.
© 2004 ANSWD
