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University options for students with disabilities. by Trevor Allan Head, Student Equity, Welfare & Disability Services, UWS & Petria McGoldrick Manager, Disability Services, University of Wollongong. Before Enrolment:. Plan ahead Visit the Get ready for uni website
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University options for students with disabilities by Trevor Allan Head, Student Equity, Welfare & Disability Services, UWS & Petria McGoldrick Manager, Disability Services, University of Wollongong
Before Enrolment: • Plan ahead • Visit the Get ready for uni website www.uws.edu.au/ndco/getready • Identify Career options • Investigate admissions processes (UAI, EAS, UNISTART, Preparation Courses) • Modes of study • Pre-requisites
Before Enrolment: • Work out what you want to study and why • Try to develop an understanding of course requirements & approaches to Teaching & Learning. Consider things such as Labs, Placements, Field Trips as well as lectures/tutorials, etc. • Be aware of available resources (e.g. Disability Unit, Web-based course material, Library resources, student mentoring programs,etc.) • Know (and be as skilled as possible in) your preferred method of access (e.g. JAWS, Zoomtext, CCTV, etc.) • Obtain information on admission, enrolment, course information, scholarships, accommodation, etc in an appropriate format (mostly available on web in accessible formats or contact admissions for other formats)
Before Enrolment: • Talk to academics (e.g. Open Days, etc) – about courses, teaching methods. Ask if they can meet your needs (e.g. Electronic texts, course materials, lecture recordings, etc.) • Contact Disability Service well in advance regarding needs (AT, course materials, exam adjustments, orientation, etc). Try to give sufficient lead time for obtaining alternative format materials (e.g. Braille/Scanning 6 to 8 weeks) • DON’T OVER-ENROL! Be aware that Tertiary Study involves far more than just face-to-face time. Good idea to multiply by 3 – 10 hours lectures & tutorials x 3 = 30, + 10 F2F = 40 hours. Disabilities may be inherently more time-consuming, so need to factor that in as well.
Admission • Each Uni has its own • Entry programs • Scholarships • Enrolment procedures • Web pages (& their varying formats!) • Financial assistance • Disability Services (DS) • Assistive Technology (AT) • & the list goes on . . . .
UAC • Universities Admissions Centre • Educational Access Scheme (EAS) • The University Access Guide • Financial (HECS, Scholarships, university fees, Centrelink benefits, etc.)
When to advise, Disclosure. • Disability access • Personal requirements • Transportation • Know your rights • The Disability Discrimination Act (1992) • Privacy and Confidentiality Acts • Occupational Health and Safety Acts • Disability Standards for Education (2006)
Services Available. • Alternative Exam Arrangements • Interpreters • Note takers • Scribes, Readers, Technical Assistants • Transcription • Equipment Loan • Assistive Technology labs • Advocacy
Enrolment. Documentation for Registration with the Disability unit: • Psychologists Reports • Educational Assessments • Neuro-Psychologist's Reports • General Practitioners, Speech Pathologists, Specialist reports and School Education/BOS documentation.
Reasonable Accommodations • The assessment of Student needs • Identification, implementation and evaluation of reasonable adjustments required for students with disabilities • Disability education, training and awareness for academic and administration staff
Role of Disability Advisor • Advise, assist, devise, implement and monitor support plans • Assist in the development and implementation of Academic Action Plans/Adjustments • Advocacy
Academic Integration Plans • Reasonable accommodations sent to academics, Library Staff and Exams Units • Updated each semester. • Assignment and Exams provisions • Alternative assessments
So What is Important for SWD? • Independence - SWD’s should know themselves & their disability • Communication/listening skills • written • oral • aural • Technology skills, even if it is just typing, web & email • The hunger to make it happen, whatever that may take • Sheer determination to reach the goal
So What is Important for SWD? • Do ground work looking at: • Clinical requirements • SWD’s interests and skills • Technology competence that may be required to begin & complete course • Requirements of Registration Boards etc for professional qualifications once degree is finished - could you meet their criteria?
Timetable for semester - planning and deadlines • September - applications • January - Semester 1 - Register with disability unit • June - Semester 1 exams • August - Semester 2 - Reregister with disability unit • November - Semester 2 exams • December - Summer Session