Benefits and Disadvantages
Disclosure is very personal decision and a decision that only you can make. Listed below are a number of factors to consider in making your decision. It is important to remember that you are not obliged to disclose your disability. However staff at tertiary institutions cannot provide you with any supports or services to accommodate the effect of your disability if you do not tell them. Where a student has chosen not to disclose their disability teaching and other staff are not responsible for providing a student with education related adjustments or services.
The Benefits of Disclosing
There are many advantages to disclosing to ensure that you receive any assistance accommodations/supports that you may need to undertake tertiary study. Advantages include:
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obtaining access to services such as accommodations/ adjustments to courses facilities and supports
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better relationships with staff
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the negotiation and implementation of reasonable adjustments
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increased confidence about your studies
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the opportunity to meet people with similar experiences through disclosure
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improved relationships with others by being honest about who you are
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ensuring that tertiary providers are responsive to the needs of all other students with disabilities and/or medical conditions by making your needs known
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receiving advice on advocacy
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not being seen as a difficult student
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being better understood and accepted and receiving more emotional support
The Disadvantages of Disclosing
If you are not sure whether you are likely to need support services during your tertiary education and are undecided whether you should disclose your disability it is a good idea to have a confidential chat with disability staff. Some of the disadvantages to disclosing may include:
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apprehension regarding less support being available
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other people feel threatened, due to ignorance and personal experience
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the burden of having to explain disability
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the fear of discrimination
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feelings of rejection
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the fear of being singled out
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misunderstanding by others of the impact of your disability and/or medical condition
Who may need to know and why?
Disability staff - to arrange any supports that you may need and to advocate on your behalf if necessary
Lecturers - to make appropriate accommodations to their teaching and assessment practices
Other students - so they understand why you are receiving support for your study and to support you
Administrative staff - to assist you with processing applications such as Disability Parking Permits