Types of disability support

AUT offers different types of support for students who are Deaf or have a diagnosis, disability, impairment or medical condition.

Disability exam and test support

AUT will ensure you can access your exams and tests, and offers a range of support to enable this. Once you have an Accommodation Plan in place, your academic staff member will be aware of your support needs. Please discuss any upcoming assessments with them.

Types of exam support available

If you have a diagnosis, disability, impairment or medical condition that may affect your exams, we may be able to help by arranging:

• Extra time
• Software that can read the questions to you
• A reader or writer

Contact us early to arrange exam support

Exam support can't be guaranteed if you haven't connected with Disability Support Services and don't have an active Academic Accommodation Plan before the end of Week 8 in each semester.

We encourage you to get in touch with us early. In exceptional circumstances, support may be arranged after this time but can't be guaranteed.

AUT shuttle buses

AUT has shuttle buses that run between the City and South Campuses. Shuttle buses have free wifi and ramps for wheelchair users.

Shuttle bus info and timetable

Accessibility on campus

• Most of our buildings have a lift or ramp to get to lecture theatres and classrooms, and an accessible toilet close by
• Many doors open automatically or have buttons to open them
• Some of our lifts have raised numerals or braille on buttons, and others also use voice announcements

If you have any concerns with regards to accessibility you can contact Disability Support Services.

Guide dogs and support dogs

Guide dogs and support dogs are welcome on campus.

Deaf and hearing-impaired students

AUT has NZSL interpreters who can interpret for students. At your individual needs assessment interview, an advisor with assistance from an NZSL interpreter will assess and arrange the help you need.

We understand you’ll have your own communication style preferences. Contact us as soon as you can so we can make sure we arrange suitable resources for you. You can email the Disability Support Services at disability.office@aut.ac.nz

Types of support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students

We can offer:

• Sign language interpreting for students fluent in NZSL
• Help and strategies for accessing lecture content and notes, like notes online
• Support to discuss your individual needs with lecturers and academic departments

Visually-impaired students

You may need print materials in alternative formats. Contact your lecturers as soon as possible to find out what your course materials are so they can be transcribed in time for you to use them.

Our adaptive technology coordinator will assess you during your needs assessment interview​ and develop your support plan. We can arrange training on our different software programmes if you need it.

Types of support for visually-impaired students

We can offer:

• Advice on personalising assistive technology and hardware to meet your needs
• One-to-one training on available technology
• Access to study materials in alternative formats
• Support to discuss your individual needs with lecturers and academic departments
• Alternative arrangements for assessments and exams – like extra time, readers, or the use of technology
• Help and strategies for accessing lecture content and notes, like notes online

Physically-impaired students

We can help you navigate study and the campus itself if you are physically-impaired.

Types of support for physically-impaired students

We can offer:

• Support to discuss your individual needs with lecturers and academic departments
• Alternative arrangements for assessments and examinations, like extra time or use of technology
• The use of technology to support independence
• Help and strategies for accessing lecture content and notes, like notes online

Students with specific learning disabilities

‘Specific learning disabilities’ is a general term to describe challenges with listening, speaking, reading, writing, remembering, reasoning, or mathematics – like dyslexia, dyscalculia or an autistic spectrum disorder, for example. This could be a long-term issue, or the result of an illness, medical condition or injury.

Getting support from us

If you've been diagnosed with a specific learning disability, it's important for us to see the report (usually from an educational psychologist) to ensure we can provide the best support for you.

If you don’t have an assessment report, but think it is something that is impacting your study and causing you difficulties, you can arrange a meeting and learning assessment through AUT.

A learning assessment aims to find out what your strengths are and where you may need help. You’ll get support to develop plans which will help with your studies.

Types of support for students with specific learning disabilities

We can offer:

• Information on disability-related issues
• Access to a learning assessment
• Support to discuss your needs with programme leaders and lecturers
• Advice about specialised equipment and computer software for independent learning
• Help and strategies for accessing lecture content and notes, like notes online
• Help to manage your study load
• Alternative arrangements for assessments and exams, like extra time or use of technology

Temporary injuries and ACC

If you have an accident resulting in an injury that affects your studies, you should contact your lecturers immediately. Your lecturers will tell you how they can help you. If you're going to be absent from classes for a long time, you must also contact the programme leader.

Your lecturers may be able to agree to approve extensions or extra time for essays or exams.

You must report your accident to ACC if you're going to need extra help to continue with your studies.

Report your accident to ACC