AUSTRALIA
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Disability advocates criticise plans to end remote learning

Disability advocacy groups have slammed a decision by leading Australian universities to end remote learning options for students, reports AAP. Students from the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney who began their degrees online will need to show up in person from next year.

The University of Sydney said a decision by the national regulator requiring all international students to return to on-campus learning influenced their decision for domestic students. “We’ve been considering for some time how we will transition away from the remote teaching model we developed as a crisis response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” a spokesperson told AAP. “Courses and units that were not designed to be delivered online do not provide the same high-quality experience as face-to-face classes.”

Disability groups say the decision means students at increased COVID-19 risk will struggle to finish their degrees. “Failing to offer a safe and accessible pathway into study for people who are immunocompromised or at risk is not just poor business, it’s discriminatory,” advocate Samantha Connor said.
Full report on the SBS News site