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Diverse learners at Monash
The number of students from diverse backgrounds has increased noticeably at Monash in recent years. More than 50% of students now belong to one or more of the university's designated equity groups. Our students are mature-aged, from non-English speaking backgrounds, indigenous, studying by distance, or at remote locations.
Included in this classification are students with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. The numbers of students registered with the Disability Liaison Unit have increased significantly since 2000. Monash has acknowledged this trend by putting in place progressive policies and strategies such as the Inclusive Practices Disability Plan 2004-2008 
to achieve better learning outcomes for these students.
As a consequence of these developments, new approaches to teaching and learning have been identified to support teaching staff who may feel challenged by the diversity of the student population. These approaches support legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act (1992)
and the Disability Standards for Education (2005)
. Such diversity can also be an opportunity for staff to initiate creative and innovative teaching and learning strategies by making adjustments to the learning environment, assessment methods and administrative policies which will enable all students to excel in their studies.
Preece, J, Blunt, B, Heagney, M and Popov, N, 2000 'Institutional Responses to Promote Inclusion' in Thomas, EA & Cooper, M (eds) Changing the Culture of the Campus: Towards an Inclusive Higher Education, Staffordshire University Press, pp. 104-116.
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