Bachelor of Fashion (Design)

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Use, understand and respond to verbal communication during on- campus learning activities and during professional experience placement. Specifically:

• Verbally communicate with team members to understand and convey design project concepts and technical requirements by providing clear instructions and explanations.
• Use, understand and respond to verbal instructions in workshop environments where safety is a primary concern.

This program requires you to work on projects over the semester in RMIT studios, with peer and educator feedback received on your projects.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Professional experience placement activities may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your Placement Coordinator prior to commencing professional experience placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and industry placement activities to build relationships, display understanding, and acknowledge others.

• In studios and workshop settings and industry placements, you'll be expected to be part of a group with a shared goal as well as many collaborative activities that include working and equipment sharing. You will need to be able to participate in conversations with fellow students and educators.

In noisy workshop environments, with potentially dangerous equipment, using and understanding non-verbal cues is essential for safe execution of design tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

Demonstrate effective reading and reading comprehension

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, reference material and /or handwritten notes. E.g., reading and comprehending written documents, such as induction processes, supervisors’ instructions, policies and occupational health and safety guidelines.

In on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement environments, essential information is communicated in written form. You will require the ability to read, understand and interpret complex written information fundamental for the safe execution of design tasks. 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication content appropriate to both on-campus and industry placement settings.

In industry placement environments, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing may include:

• writing reports to meet technical standards
• project record keeping
  

The ability to accurately communicate in writing is fundamental for the safe undertaking and delivery of design tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support their literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient manner in on-campus learning and industry placement settings E.g., making and recording accurate measurements during prototyping and fabrication and in software environments.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning and during industry placement.

Tasks which require the use of concentration, memory and problem solving include:

• Tracking progress and completion of complex design projects
• Completing accurate measurements and assessment of systems and processes

Solving design and fabrication problems that require extended periods of concentration.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during placement should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

Sufficient visual acuity to safely undertake on- campus learning and industry placement tasks. These may include:

• Reading safety and equipment instructions
• Reading from measurement devices such as scales or gauges
• Observing changes in materials.
• Using machinery and equipment safely.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. Glasses and other visual aids can be used during interpreting simulations and on-campus learning activities.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Services.

Hearing

What do I need to be able to do?

Sufficient hearing to undertake on-campus learning and industry placement tasks. These may include:

• Noticing changes in workshop or machinery sounds
• Hearing alarms or alerts on workshop equipment
• Able to work in workshop and machine spaces where Workplace Health and Safety requires that headphones are not worn.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of augmentation such as lip reading and / or assistive technology e.g. ‘power’ amplified stethoscope to enhance hearing will be considered.

Tactile abilities refer to the sense of touch.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the fashion design studio and workshop environment, tasks which require the sense of touch include:

• Determining the temperature of materials (by touch)
• Determining handle and drape of materials through touch
• Interpreting texture and viscosity of materials through touch
• Interpreting and distinguishing between different vibrations for the safe handling of materials, tools and machines.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise patient safety.

i.e., The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands

What do I need to be able to do?

Coordination of movements of the hands such as: pushing, pressing, turning, pinching, grasping, shaking and manipulating for:

• Drawing
• Patternmaking
• Sewing by hand and machine
• Using tools and equipment
• Manipulating materials
• Working with small components.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.