Disability inclusion & accessibility at VU

Victoria University is proudly progressive. How we care is measured by how we act as an institution.

We continue to progress towards improved inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities in the VU community.

Accessibility action plan

VU strives to be a leader in inclusivity and accessibility for students with disability.

We guide and support students to achieve their career aspirations through personalised, flexible and well-supported learning opportunities.

Our fourth accessibility action plan outlines our commitment to removing barriers to access and participation for students with a health condition or disability. It focuses on five action areas:

  • culture of inclusiveness
  • student support and engagement
  • learning and teaching
  • physical access
  • digital information and services.

Read VU's student accessibility action plan 2021-2023.

The Disability Employee Network (DEN)

Victoria University strives towards progressive inclusivity. We focus on establishing a sense of belonging for all staff and students within our community.

The Disability Employee Network (DEN) is a group of dedicated VU staff, both professional and academic, who are disability proud and are working towards better inclusion for people with a disability at VU.

DEN members identify as having lived experience of disability, are carers, or are allies of people with disabilities.

The purpose of the VU DEN is to share knowledge, best practice and resources and to advocate for disability inclusion for all.

DEN chair Dr Jerome Rachele, Lecturer in Public Health.

If you are a staff member and are interested in joining a network, please email: [email protected] .

Australian Network on Disability (AND)

VU holds a gold membership with the Australian Network on Disability (AND).

We are engaged in the Access & Inclusion Index for 2022, which will evaluate the University’s disability confidence and support our work towards advancing safety, belonging and accessibility at VU, in order to better welcome  staff, students and visitors with disability.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower icon allows people with a non-visible disability discreetly share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately obvious. The sunflower signals that the wearer may need support, understanding, or simply more time. You may have seen the icon on public transport, whilst shopping, at sporting events and more.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower icon is intended to allow for inclusion of all types of disability. It encourages people to think about disability as a spectrum.

As with visible disabilities, non-visible disabilities can impact people in a variety of ways. Others may also lack understanding, if they cannot see evidence of it in a ‘visible’ way.

Non-visible (or hidden) disabilities are not limited to, but includes:

  • neurological e.g. autism, ADHD, epilepsy, migraines, Parkinson's disease
  • learning disability e.g. dyslexia
  • mental health e.g. anxiety, bipolar, depression
  • sensory e.g. hearing or vision impairment
  • immunological e.g. lupus, MS, diabetes, HIV
  • intellectual e.g. fragile X syndrome

Support at VU

At VU, the Sunflower is used to encourage people to think about disability as a spectrum. It demonstrates to our students and staff that all are welcome and supported here.

If you would like a sunflower lanyard or badge to indicate you have a non-visible disability, or to show that your are a supporter, please email:

Staff: [email protected]
Students: [email protected]

What is the Hidden Disability Sunflower?
VU is building awareness of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to ensure a more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all people.
Find out more

Find out more & get involved

The Disability Employee Network is open to all staff with a visible or invisible disability and meets monthly via Zoom.

For staff seeking more information on the DEN, or to join:

Students looking for more information on accessibility at VU can:

Outside of the University, a number of organisations provide support and advocacy for people with hidden disabilities, such as Invisible Disabilities Australia.