Summary - Student lost legal case involving discrimination in sitting for her exams and ordered to pay costs.

Facts

Ms Wong achieved fifth place in the state in her HSC chemistry exam when she sat that exam one year early, while still a year 11 student. Upon the completion of year 12 she obtained a university entry rank of 99.95 and gained entry into a combined Science and Medicine degree at the University of Sydney.

So why were complaints and legal proceedings brought by Ms Wong against her school and the Board of Studies?

Ms Wong alleged she had been discriminated against on the ground of disability, that reasonable accommodation had not been provided and that had such accommodation been provided, she would have achieved higher marks than what she achieved.

Alleged discrimination

Ms Wong alleged:

  1. That she had a joint hyper-mobility of the wrist and hand which caused her to fatigue and cramp in written examinations affecting her ability to write.
  2. That a reasonable accommodation was to allow her the use of a computer and/or extra time during exams.
  3. That the failure to provide her that accommodation resulted in her being unable to entirely finish the exams, preventing her from achieving much higher marks.

Response to allegations

The school and the Board of Studies responded:

  1. They had already accepted an application for special consideration in relation to Ms Wong's wrist condition.
  2. Reasonable accommodation was already provided including the use of rest breaks during the exam. The use of a writer was also offered, however Ms Wong declined this option.

No need to prove loss or damage

In relation to point 3 of the allegations, it is not necessary to examine whether Ms Wong suffered some loss or damage as a result of the alleged failure to provide reasonable accommodation. Why? Because a common misconception, shared by Ms Wong in this instance, is that a negative result/outcome/damage needs to be included in a claim. In fact the damage is being subjected to discriminatory conduct regardless of what may occur after that conduct.

Having said that, the above misconception is not fatal to a claim, but could expose a party to an order for costs in respect of spending time and resources on irrelevant issues and material.

Result / Decision

Ms Wong failed to establish her claim of discrimination. Her case was dismissed and she was ordered to pay costs of the Board of Studies. Ms Wong failed to establish that without the use of a computer, the accommodation provided was insufficient to enable her to perform to her ability in the same way a person not suffering from her condition could perform to their ability.

Lessons

  • Consider individual circumstances on their merits.
  • In that process include relevant considerations and exclude irrelevant considerations.
  • Make accommodation which is reasonable in the circumstances.
  • Include only relevant issues and material in legal proceedings to protect yourself in relation to orders for costs.

The biggest lesson – if you are unsure about the above issues or lessons, seek legal advice.