Context & Challenge
A major Australian University sought to comprehensively elevate accessibility standards across its physical and digital environments. This mandate was intensified by regulatory revisions to higher education disability standards, which necessitated updated, forward-thinking approaches to identity, equity, and institutional access.
To systematically address these gaps and maintain compliance, the university commissioned a multi-agency collaborative initiative to design and deploy a modern, institutional-wide Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).
Strategy & Execution
Director of Q Inclusion, Parker Rettke, played a major role in designing the methodology and approach to implementing the eventual DIAP, as well as adopting the role of Chair, Technical Advisory Group drawing on their expertise and knowledge of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plans. A major component of this approach were two of Parker’s PhD thesis frameworks: A framing tool for viewing an Action Plan as an “intervention mix” that needs to be categorised and balanced appropriately to the organisations context, and the stigmatised-decision-making model that intersects Link & Phalen’s (2001) Stigma framework with Simons’ (1955) Bounded Rationality theory. Unconscious bias manifests at this intersection.
In addition to their responsibilities framing the project and leading the Technical Advisory Group, Parker supported disability access audits for several of the university's campuses in both metropolitan and regional areas. From this experience, Parker prototyped several resources that were launched alongside the plan, including several digital accessibility resources. Finally, Parker provided final review of the data collected, qualitative analysis, final plan and all tools developed at various stages throughout the project.
Results & Impact
The final Disability Inclusion Action Plan established a world-class benchmark for accessibility in the Australian higher education sector. By marrying primary research with systemic strategic targets, the DIAP effectively addressed SCU’s unique institutional challenges while seamlessly aligning its operations with updated national standards. The project provided SCU with both an actionable strategic roadmap and the practical training assets required to foster an enduring culture of universal access across all seven campuses.
