Services & Support
Information For:
- Prospective Students
- Distance Students
- International Students
- Download the Disability Information & Support Student handbook (in PDF format)
What Services Does Disability Information & Support Provide?
As well as providing students with support, advice, advocacy and information, Disability Information & Support provides a number of specific resources and services.
In a nutshell ...
| If you have a problem with: | A possible solution is: |
|---|---|
| taking notes | a note-taker or access to lecture & tutorial notes |
| reading print materials | materials in alternative formats |
| keeping up with course work, or meeting deadlines because of your impairment | One-to-one tutoring negotiating extensions with departments |
| hearing in lectures and tutorials | FM hearing amplification systems lecture & tutorial notes |
| using stairs | lectures & tutorials in accessible rooms |
| performing practical tasks | individual laboratory or research assistants |
| studying comfortably | specialist equipment and furniture |
| sitting examinations | alternative examination arrangements |
| the university environment | advocacy |
| finding somewhere to live | accommodation options |
| paying for your studies | advice on disability-related scholarships & grants |
For more information or to request a copy of the handbook " A guide for students who have temporary or permanent impairments" email disabilities@otago.ac.nz.
You can also download the Disability Information & Support handbook " A guide for students who have temporary or permanent impairments" (PDF format)
Assistance with Enrolment
Comprehensive enrolment information can be found in the University of Otago Prospectus or at http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/enrolment/
If you would like assistance with the main enrolment process, for example if you have difficulty filling out forms, standing in queues, hearing in noisy rooms, or if you are anxious in crowds, Disability Information & Support has people available to help you complete your enrolment. These people can help you to avoid queues, locate course advisors and complete the approval process.
Disability Information & Support can also arrange for you to complete the Course Approval process prior to the main approval days. This is particularly useful for students who become fatigued easily or who feel anxious in crowds.
Orientation
Check out the Disability Information & Support website to see what orientation activities Disability Information & Support has organised for students.
Arranging Looped Lecture Theatres and Tutorial Rooms
A number of lecture rooms have hearing loops installed. If you would benefit from a looped room, contact a Student Advisor well before the start of the semester to determine if your classes can be scheduled in these rooms. A number of portable FM hearing loops are also available, which can be borrowed from Disability Information & Support.
Arranging Accessible Lecture Theatres and Tutorial Rooms
Most of the buildings on campus are accessible to people who are unable to use stairs. If, however, you use a wheelchair or you are unable to climb stairs, it is important that you let a Student Advisor know which papers you are taking as early as possible, preferably before the start of the semester. This will ensure that all your lectures and tutorials are held in accessible rooms.
Disability Information & Support can provide you with a map that shows the accessible entrances to lecture theatres and general amenities on the Otago campus.
Reformatting of Print Materials
Students with a range of impairments may require print materials in alternative formats, which can include large print, different coloured paper, Braille, audio tape, Plain English, or E text.
Students requiring texts or course materials in an alternative format need to contact their lecturers as soon as possible to determine what course materials are required. It is essential this occurs well in advance, so that materials can be located and translated in time for the student to use them. If necessary, contact a Student Advisor to assist with this process.
To determine whether the print materials you require are already available in your preferred format, you will need to provide the Disability Information & Support Student Advisor with:
- the title, authors, or editors,
- the particular edition,
- the format you require.
If the materials are not available in the format you require, you will be asked to provide a print copy of the material that is to be translated and complete "An Alternative Format Requirements form".
Alternative Formatting of Examinations
If you require your assessment/test papers in an alternative format you should notify your lecturers and your Student Advisor as early as possible. You must also apply formally to have any final (end of semester) examination papers provided in an alternative format. Refer to Alternative Examination Arrangements.
Note-taking Service
If you are unable to take your own notes, there may be other ways for you to obtain lecture and tutorial information. These include:
- Approaching your lecturer and asking if they are able to provide you with copies of notes or overheads.
- Asking the lecturer if notes are available via Blackboard (this is a computer- based teaching package);
- Checking the Closed Reserve Desk and Copy Shop to see if they have copies of the notes you require;
If none of the above options are available, and you are likely to require notes for more than four weeks, contact Disability Information & Support who may be able to organise note-taking support for you. The note-taker is usually someone enrolled in the paper and who is given training in good note-taking techniques, so the quality of notes is usually excellent. Since these notes summarise the lecture, students still need to attend all classes. Contact your Student Advisor if you require this service.
Sign Language Interpreters for Deaf Students
The University of Otago is aware of the varying communication methods of Deaf people.
If you require a Sign-language Interpreter, contact a Disability Information & Support Student Advisor as early as possible before the start of the semester.
Additional One- to- one Tutorials
Some students, because of their conditions or impairments, require additional tutoring to keep up with or to fully understand their studies. Where necessary, Disability Information & Support provides individual tutoring for those who require it.
Please contact your Student Advisor if, during the year, you feel that you are falling behind. Alternatively, if you know that your disability will make it extremely difficult for you to cope without extra tutoring, let your Student Advisor know before your classes start.
Equipment Pool
Disability Information & Support has equipment available for students to borrow. Items include:
- Amplified Phones
- Foot Stools
- Kneeling Chairs
- Writing Boards
- Ergonomic Keyboards
- Ergo Rests and Joy Sticks
- Tape Recorders and Dictaphones
- Lamps
- Portable FM Amplification Hearing Systems
- Various Software packages
- Book Rests
- Ergonomic Chairs
- Desk Lecterns
- Lockers
Students are required to pay a bond when borrowing items. If Disability Information & Support does not have the equipment you require and if you can demonstrate your need, Disability Information & Support may be able to obtain the item for you.
Library, Laboratory and Field Work Assistants
If your course has a practical component (e.g. if you are studying Psychology, Geography, or Surveying) an assistant can be provided if you are unable to complete the practical work independently.
Similarly, if you are unable to complete your research for essays and reports in the library without assistance, a library assistant can be provided for you. Contact your Disability Information & Support Student Advisor for more information.
Alternative Examination Arrangements
Further information about Alternative Examination Arrangements is available elsewhere on this website.
Study Rooms
There are three Study Rooms situated around the Otago campus which are available to students using Disability Information & Support. Each room has a range of specialist equipment, computer software and furniture. These rooms can only be accessed by using your student ID card; please contact your Disability Information & Support Student Advisor to arrange access to these rooms. For further information about the equipment, computer software and furniture available, please contact a Student Advisor.
Mobility Parking
Limited on-campus parking is available to those with a demonstrated need. There are approximately twenty-two mobility car parks located around the campus. Disability Information & Support has a map showing the location of these mobility car parks.
Students who wish to apply for a parking permit to use the University Mobility Parks are required to either provide current documentation from a relevant professional supporting the need for parking, or their current CCS operation mobility card. If a parking permit is approved, the student will be asked to supply details about their car (make, model, and registration) and show their driver's licence to their Student Advisor. Once this information is supplied the parking permit will be issued. Note that a CCS Operational Mobility Card is not sufficient to use the University mobility car parks.
Those who park in mobility car parks without displaying the appropriate parking permit will be towed away at their own expense.
The Dunedin City Council has a number of Mobility car parks around the outside of the campus area. Please note that to park in these a CCS parking permit is required.
