Environment and practices
The University is enhancing the inclusivity of our campuses, accommodation, technology, policies, and practices.
Taking opportunities to implement accessibility best practices will improve the experience of being on campus for disabled staff and students.
The built environment
Increase the accessibility of the campus built environment through development of an annual work programme that incorporates student accessibility feedback and accessibility best practice.
Establish an annual campus accessibility assessment and work programme and report on examples of enhancements in Te Amaru—Disability Services annual report.
Responsibility:
- Property Services
(In partnership with Te Amaru—Disability Services)
New building work
Seize opportunities of new building work and upgrades to incorporate accessibility best practice.
Property Services Project Managers actively engage with Te Amaru—Disability Services and include accessibility in project reporting.
Responsibility:
- Property Services
- Te Kōtuinga Mātauranga— Centre for Academic Development
(In partnership with Te Amaru—Disability Services)
Inclusive learning software
Actively identify, test, acquire, and promote leading inclusive learning software that can assist disabled students and staff, and provide training and support.
Include student and staff engagement data, feedback and enhancements made to software and training in Te Amaru—Disability Services annual report.
- Te Amaru—Disability Services
- Te Tai Matihiko—Digital Solutions
- Te Kōtuinga Mātauranga— Centre for Academic Development
- Kōtare—Communications Group
- Whata—Marketing Group
Course content
Actively support the development and implementation of baseline accessibility standards for all course content created or imported into the Nuku (Canvas Learning Management System). Actively support engagement of staff with the Ally accessibility tool.
Develop and report on accessibility standards. Provide guides and/or training for implementation of accessibility standards.
Responsibility:
- Te Kōtuinga Mātauranga— Centre for Academic Development
(In partnership with Te Amaru—Disability Services)
Assessment
Ensure the University’s approach to accessible assessment follows or exceeds best practice outlined in the ACHIEVE Guidelines and Procedures for the Provision of Accessible Assessment Arrangements.
Identify and implement enhancements to accessible assessment.
Responsibility:
- Te Amaru—Disability Services
- School Administrators
- Tītoko—Centre for Student Success
Learning, teaching, and assessment
Ensure the University’s learning, teaching, and assessment (including in the digital environment) is continually improved to embed disability inclusion
Regular University Learning and Teaching committee, and Faculty teaching, learning and equity committee meetings include Te Amaru—Disability Services to collaborate
on disability inclusive approaches. Centre for Academic Development learning and teaching guidance includes disability inclusion best practice.
Responsibility:
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Tumu Maruānuku
- Associate Deans Learning and Teaching
- Te Kōtuinga Mātauranga— Centre for Academic Development
(In partnership with Te Amaru—Disability Services)
Accommodation
Increase the visibility of information about the University’s accessible accommodation options and effectively utilise the accessible rooms in our housing portfolio.
Develop clear, easy to access information about the accessibility of accommodation and include in student accommodation communications.
Responsibility:
- Te Kopanga—Student Accommodation
(In partnership with Te Amaru—Disability Services)
Housing
Take opportunities to enhance the accessibility of our housing portfolio.
Any future construction work on University-owned halls of residence buildings includes disability accessibility in line with building standards and in consultation with Te Amaru-Disability Services to ensure prioritisation of improvements.
Responsibility:
- Te Kopanga—Student Accommodation
(In partnership with Te Amaru—Disability Services)
Policy
Update the existing Meeting the Needs of Students with Impairments Policy to align with changes in approach, legislation, language, and the development of Te Ara Taupuhipuhi.
Meeting the Needs of Students with Impairments policy updated in consultation with staff and disabled students.
Responsibility:
- Te Amaru—Disability Services
- Te Waikura—Academic Office
Embedding disability inclusion
Ensure our University policies, frameworks, projects, plans, and processes reflect our commitment to disability inclusion.
Guidance on embedding disability inclusion to inform the review, revision (or establishment of) policies, frameworks, projects, plans, and processes is provided when requested and embedded by leaders as appropriate.
Responsibility:
- Te Amaru—Disability Services
- University leadership