Students at the Australian National University (ANU) from disadvantaged backgrounds and those students with a disability rely on 'Access & Inclusion' Services. Two key sources of funding are either being cut or under threat.

The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) provides funding to assist universities to undertake activities and implement strategies that improve access to undergraduate courses for people from low SES backgrounds as well as improving the retention and completion rates of those students. It provides funding incentives to increase the proportion of low SES students. At the ANU it allows Access & Inclusion to hire an additional 'Student Access & Success Officer' (SASO) to assist in accessibility issues for low SES students, particularly low SES students with a disability. A SASO provides support, advice and referral to current and prospective students from underrepresented and disadvantaged student groups. At ANU 1 SASO supports up to 410 students. The 2016 Budget cut $152 million from HEPPP, the full impact of which is yet to be seen.

The Additional Support for Students with a Disability (ASSD) is a component of the Higher Education Disability Support Programme. The ASSD provides funding to eligible higher education providers to assist with the high costs incurred in providing educational support and/or equipment to students with disability to enable them to participate in higher education and encourage efficient and effective use of equipment and education resources to support students with disability. It does so my reimbursing higher education providers for related expenses currently exceeding $500. In the finale report of the 'Evaluation of the Disability Support Programme' under 'Opportunities for Improvement' the report suggested increasing the amount at which claims are paid out of the ASSD from the current $500 per student to $3000, which would render 75% of claims ineligible for funding. As of Semester 1, 2016 'Access & Inclusion' has 1310 students currently registered with disability ASSD funded. By the end of 2016 ‘Access & Inclusion’ projects this number to exceed 1400. In 2015, 353 students had costs associated to their supports. These costs included Exam Invigilation, Participation Assistants, Note takers, assistive technology training etc. Once students that fell under the $500 threshold are removed from that number (353), 'Access & Inclusion' was able to claim costs for 72 students. An increase in the threshold to $3000 would decrease that number to just 3. 

Equity funding is critical to give all students the opportunity of a great education that is transformational in nature. Governments should be reminded that it is the wish of Australians that universities be accessible to all no matter your disability or postcode. This funding must be restored in the case of HEPPP and preserved in the case of the ASSD. Signing this petition is a means by which the Government will hear the wishes of Australians for universities to remain accessible.