RMIT Disables Students : Melbourne Indymedia

The controversial proposal to outsource the RMIT Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) received a further setback yesterday, as 80 students, staff members and teaching staff rallied against the proposed changes. Students who are currently using the DLU consider the service to be of a high standard. However, there are genuine fears that the proposed outsourcing will lead to a decline in the quality of service being provided for students with disablities at RMIT. It is apparent that the main driving force behind these changes is financial, as the University stands to save $98,000.

RMIT Student Union President Patrick O’Keeffe said yesterday, “users of the DLU have legitimate concerns over the proposed changes, and these concerns must be taken seriously. However, the University has indicated that it isn’t particularly interested in listening to what the students have to say on this matter”.

As Mr O’Keeffe stated, “Jobs will be lost in this process. With that, knowledge is lost and the rapport between students and DLU staff disappears. Above all, students with disabilities studying at RMIT will be further disadvantaged, as they are forced to contend with a diminished service.”

Students and Staff addressed the crowd, condemning the proposal as being disrespectful of students with disabilities, and being motivated purely by financial aims. Interestingly, the recommendation is being made despite the fact that there is no mechanism in place to measure the quality of service being provided. Perplexingly, proponents of the outsource proposal still claim that the changes will not lead to a decline in service.

The protest yesterday followed a public meeting on the 19th of April, which was attended by 60 people. The action took place outside building one of RMIT, which is the central Administration building of the University. Poignantly, disability access to and within this building is virtually non-existent.

For more information contact Patrick O’Keeffe on 0439 852 459

What is RMIT's response to the fears expressed by students? You say they're not interested in what students are saying. How do you know we're not intrested in what THEY'RE saying?

Sometimes outsourcing can achieve better outcomes because peformance measures can ensure particular outcomes are achieved. Not always, but often. But it requires rigorous management and proper accountability mechanisms to be put it place.

I'd like to know more about this issue (including the other side's point of view) before commiting one way or the other. Given that tertiary students are learning to obtain ALL the facts and subjecting them to critical analyis before adopting a point of view, this request shouldn't come as a surprise to most.