Key services for students
We offer a broad range of quality services to support your disability-related needs.
Make an appointment with us to discuss which of our services can meet your disability needs.
We encourage you to connect with us as early as possible to ensure support is in place before you need it.
Commonly-used services
Access suites, disability support navigators, and inclusive learning software are our most commonly-used services.
Access suites at Kelburn and Pipitea
Access suites are quiet places for students with disabilities to rest and study, located at both Kelburn and Pipitea campus. The spaces are also where you can access ergonomic furniture, equipment, technology or amenities that are not found in general University study spaces. All students registered with us are automatically granted entry to our access suites.
To access this service: All students registered with Disability Services are automatically granted entry to access suites. Just use your swipe card and let our reception know if there are any issues.
Access suite at Te Aro
A temporary space has been made available in the Te Aro campus Library for disabled students registered with Disability Services who are studying on that campus.
To access this service: You can book this room from the Libcal Te Aro Access Suite.
Disability support navigators
A disability support navigator will introduce you to what we provide, work with you to determine your needs, connect you with support and resources, and may remain as your key contact with the service.
To access this service: You will be invited to connect with a disability support navigator when you register with us.
Inclusive learning software
Inclusive learning software is available for students and staff to make learning and engaging more accessible in the modern digital world.
Learn more about the inclusive learning software on offer.
Other key services
The following list describes all other key services available to students registered with Disability Services.
Adaptive technology and the inclusive technology assistant
Our inclusive technology assistant is available to provide you with training on the inclusive learning software available on campus, and some troubleshooting assistance for your personal technology.
Workshops to introduce you to inclusive learning software are held throughout the year and on-to-one training is also available, see inclusive learning software above for more details.
Some examples of other adaptive technology available on campus are:
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking for voice recognition—for impairments that impact on keyboard/mouse use
- OpenBook for hardcopy reading and conversion—for impairments impacting on access to print, e.g. vision impairments, specific learning difficulties, etc.
- CCTVs for magnification of text and objects—for impairments affecting vision
- various ergonomic computer peripherals—for various dexterity and movement related impairments.
Accessible assessment arrangements
Accessible assessment arrangements are available for tests or exams. You may require an accessible arrangement if the impact of your disability means you need arrangements to support you to perform equitably, for example extra time, rest break, an assessment room shared with less students.
To access this service: Discuss with a disability support navigator or disability and inclusion adviser whether this service is right for you.
Disability and inclusion advisers
When needed, a disability and inclusion adviser may work with you to identify and resolve specific learning or participation barriers.
All disability and inclusion advisers are allied health professionals.
To access this service: Your support navigator will connect you with a disability and inclusion adviser when necessary.
Disability inclusion arrangements/plans
A disability inclusion arrangements document can be completed with a disability and inclusion adviser. It outlines the impact of your disability on your ability to participate and study, your strategies for participating and learning, disability inclusive approaches requested from staff for teaching and participation, and the support provided by Disability Services.
To access this service as a new or returning student that hasn’t seen Disability Services: please make an appointment with a disability and inclusion adviser if you would like a disability inclusion arrangements document.
To access this service as a returning student and have seen a disability and inclusion adviser: please email the disability and inclusion adviser to check and update your disability inclusion arrangements document if this has not been sent to your course coordinators and you.
Ergonomic furniture
We offer a variety of ergonomic equipment in our access suites, such as:
- ergonomic chairs
- kneelers and foot rests
- lecterns
- high tables for standing study.
Certain items of equipment may be moved to lecture or tutorial rooms when available.
Mobility parking
Mobility parking is available if you hold a CCS Disability Action mobility card, or have been granted access by a disability support navigator. As we have limited availability, we will prioritise your lecture and tutorial/lab timeslots.
To access this service if you hold a CCS Disability Action Permit or have had mobility parking before: email disability@vuw.ac.nz
To access this service if you don't have a CCS Disability Action Permit: make an appointment with a disability support navigator.
Mobility transport
If your disability affects your ability to move across campus or between campuses and is not covered by ACC then we may be able to provide you with taxi chits to assist.
To access this service: Discuss with a disability and inclusion adviser whether this service is right for you.
Note-taking
Note-taking provides typed lecture notes from a note-taker employed by Disability Services. These are summaries of the lecture content rather than full notes, and will be provided to you after each lecture.
To access this service: Discuss with a disability and inclusion adviser whether this service is right for you.
Sign language interpreters
Sign language interpreters provide access to Deaf students who use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as their preferred language. Interpreters are qualified professionals who interpret the full content of lectures, tutorials or other events into NZSL.
To access this service: Discuss with a disability and inclusion adviser whether this service is right for you.
Specific learning disability
If you have a specific learning disability, or suspect that you might, we can conduct a screening assessment to indicate whether it would be worth you seeking a professional external assessment.
We work closely with Student Learning, who can assist you with learning strategies, such as reading, study skills, note-taking, essay writing, and exam techniques.
The inclusive learning software provided are excellent supports for students with learning disabilities; providing many useful features to empower your learning and engagement at university.