USM Disabilities Policy

“This policy is USM’s commitment to give strong support and ensure that members of the university community with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as others.”

Dasar Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) USM, Section 4.0, PDF p. 12 (English translation)

The objectives (Section 3.2, PDF p. 5) are to raise awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities, to empower them with equal rights and opportunities for full and effective participation, and to improve accessibility through facilities and services. As at 31 December 2024 the policy records 18 staff and 171 students with disabilities (Section 2, PDF p. 4).

USM has a reasonable accommodation policy for people with disabilities: the Persons with Disabilities Policy (Dasar Orang Kurang Upaya, OKU) 2020, amended in 2025. The policy provides for modifications and adjustments that let students and staff with disabilities take part in university life on an equal basis. They cover learning and teaching facilities, the physical environment, psychosocial and communication support, student and staff management, health and safety, emotional support and counselling, examinations and assistive learning aids, and employment (Sections 3.7 to 3.15, PDF pp. 7–12). The OKU Cluster, chaired by a person appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, drives and monitors implementation (Section 3.4, PDF pp. 5–6).

Academic and examination accommodation

Learning accommodations include accessible lecture halls and tutorial rooms, lecture notes in formats accessible to the student, extra time for assignments, and a library with a special room and assistance (Section 3.8, PDF pp. 7–8). For examinations, the Examinations Unit considers adjustments such as extra time, a suitable venue and question papers in a suitable format (Section 3.9(vi), PDF p. 10). Schools identify the assistive device needs of students with disabilities who sit examinations and may provide a reader as a facilitator, the Examinations Unit is recommended to provide a special room, and extra time may be allocated so that students can answer well (Section 3.14, PDF pp. 11–12).

Residential accommodation

All persons with disabilities are given accommodation on campus (Section 3.9(v), PDF p. 10). Through the University Housing and Accommodation Centre (Pusat Perumahan dan Penginapan Universiti, P3U), undergraduate and postgraduate students with disabilities are given designated arrangements that take their individual needs into account, including twin-sharing rooms equipped with basic furniture and facilities according to the type of disability and access to OKU toilets and other disability-related facilities. Read about student accommodation at P3U.

Support personnel, welfare and emotional support

The Student Development and Alumni Division (BHEPA) runs a unit dedicated to the welfare of persons with disabilities and helps them register with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) so that they receive the OKU allowance and are helped to find suitable placement or employment after their studies (Sections 3.9(ii), 3.9(iii) and 3.13, PDF pp. 10–11). BHEPA may appoint assistants for persons with disabilities and may pay them an allowance, assistants are allowed vehicle stickers to use vehicles on campus, with a recommended ratio of two assistants for each person where necessary, and assistants are recommended to take Disability Equality Training (DET) (Sections 3.9(iv) and 3.12, PDF pp. 10–11). The policy also requires emotional problems, stress, stigma and discrimination affecting persons with disabilities to be identified early so that intervention can follow (Section 3.11, PDF p. 10).

Staff with disabilities and the workplace

Section 3.15 (PDF p. 12) provides that persons with disabilities have the right of access to employment on an equal basis with others. USM must protect their right to fair and good working conditions, including equal opportunities and equal remuneration for work of equal value, a safe and healthy workplace, protection from harassment and redress of grievances, and must promote stable employment for them by assessing their abilities appropriately, providing suitable places of employment and carrying out suitable employment management. Sections 3.5 and 3.6 (PDF p. 6) refer to Section 29 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 on access to employment.

Funding and resources

The policy makes USM responsible for providing facilities and learning support to persons with disabilities on campus, within available resources (Section 3.7(iv), PDF p. 7), and for maintaining a complete data bank of persons with disabilities covering individual profiles, physical facilities and learning support systems (Section 3.7(vi), PDF p. 7). The allowance for assistants is provided for in Section 3.12(ii). USM has funded accessibility works directly: it allocated RM2 million for the construction of wheelchair ramps, handrails along staircases and dedicated accessible toilets, including at the library, Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra and lecture halls across the Main Campus. Read about disability facilities at USM (BHEPA).