Study support
Te Ratonga Whaikaha|Student Accessibility Service offers support measures that are effective, individualised and consistent with our goal of full inclusion. We will ask for appropriate evidence that you need these support measures and then we will work with you to create your individual plan of action.
While every attempt will be made to provide the support as soon as possible, there may be delays in providing services or it may not be possible to provide your preferred support.
Accessible formats and assistive technology
The Alternative Format Centre (AFC) specialises in converting information into accessible formats and providing information and demonstrations of assistive technology.
Hearing Assistance Devices
Hearing Assistance Devices for people with hearing impairments. These essentially amplify sound directly into the ear through the use of earphones connected to a hand-sized receiver. Sound is transmitted wirelessly by the speaker to the device which separates the sounds, particularly speech, that a person wants to hear from background noise. Easy to use, simply tune to the room signal and listen at the preferred volume. To book a Hearing Assistance Device please contact Te Ratonga Whaikaha|Student Accessibility Service.
Laboratory and fieldwork assistance
For students who are unable to carry out the practical requirements of courses that require laboratory or fieldwork, an assistant can be provided to work with the student to assist in carrying out practical tasks.
An assistant can also be provided for health and safety reasons.
Limited Full-Time Study
You may be eligible to apply for Limited Full-Time Study which enables you to study part-time and retain eligibility for a Student Allowance. For further information, contact your Accessibility Advisor.
Download the Limited Full-time Study Application form.
Notetaking
Notetakers may be arranged for students who are unable to take notes in lectures. The provision of this service requires that students attend all lectures for which Notetakers are provided. Lecture notes can be produced in an alternative format if required.
For more information see the Notetaking information page.
Research assistance
Research Assistants can be arranged for post-graduate students who are undertaking research as part of their thesis or dissertation and who have disability-related difficulties with carrying out research.
Resource rooms
The following resource rooms are available to students registered with Te Ratonga Whaikaha|Equity and Disability Service who have arranged use with their Accessibility Advisor. Rooms are available to be booked on a 'first-in, first-served' basis, swipe card access to these rooms is arranged through your Accessibility Advisor..
The Green Room and Blue Room
The Green Room and Blue Room are located in the basement of the Erskine building. The Green Room has a PC and a Mac while the Blue Room has a PC. Both rooms have the following assistive technology:
- JAWS screen reader
- Natural Reader screen reader
- MAGic screen magnifier
- MathType math processor
- ZoomText screen magnifier/reader
- OpenBook optical character recognition
- Dragon speech recognition and audio transcriber
- TextHelp learning support program
- CCTV magnifier
- Microtek scanner
Swipe card access to these rooms is arranged through your Accessibility Advisor.
The Alcove
The Alcove is located on level 2 of the Puaka-James Hight Library. It provides a study area with specialised equipment, and while other students have access to the equipment, students registered with our service have priority use at all times.
There are two computers in the Alcove. The assistive technology on these computers includes Open Book, JAWS, Magic. They are on height-adjustable desks and further ergonomic equipment can be provided on request.
Sign language interpreting
New Zealand Sign Language Interpreters may be arranged for students who are Deaf, subject to availability. This will need to be discussed with your Accessibility Advisor.