Each of the universities and TAFE has support services and special arrangements to assist students with study. Other agencies such as the Royal Society for the Blind, the Royal South Australian Deaf Society and Access Cabs, can also provide you with support services to access study.
Each TAFE or university has a disability liaison officer, student services adviser or a contact person who can assist with access arrangements where required. Some disability agencies also have a contact person who deals with the support needs of students with disabilities.
What kinds of assistance will the TAFE or university provide?
Whether you are studying internally or externally you will need to let relevant staff know about your disability so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Arrangements in the past have included:
- curriculum variation or adaptation
- liaison with lecturers or teaching staff
- alternative assessment
- alternative examination consideration
- notetakers, interpreters, provision of texts in alternative formats
- access to equipment, for example, braillers, computer hardware and software
- parking spaces and permits
- accessible lecture and tutorial venues
- places to rest.
These arrangements are designed to minimize the impact of a disability without compromising the academic integrity of your course/program of study.
There are also a range of other services available for all students. These include study assistance, personal and career counselling, health and welfare services and people who can assist with financial advice.
Support services are also available to those students studying externally.
Additional support offered for Aboriginal or Torres Islander students includes the Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS). Students can work with an individual tutor at their own pace, or may choose to work in small groups.
Community support
Be creative! Find out what community organisations can provide support. For example, there are some scholarships which provide financial support for students with a disability.
The
Sir Charles Bright Scholarship awards annual scholarships of $1000 to students with disabilities. For information telephone 08 8261 6171.
The
Gloria Marshall Educational Award for Deaf/Hearing Impaired People is also an annual award, of up to $3000. This award is administered by Deafness Forum Ltd. For information telephone 02 6262 7808, TTY 02 6262 7809.
The
Dawn Slade-Faull Award is intended to encourage people with disabilities who show promise in an area of art or crafts and whose talent would benefit from tuition by a recognised artist or craftsperson, modification of necessary equipment or exhibition opportunities. For information telephone 08 8332 5171.
The
Smith Family Scholarship Scheme offers two scholarships annually to tertiary students from disadvantaged families. Eligible applicants are paraplegic / quadriplegic or their children. For information telephone 08 8416 0436.
The
Brian Treasure Scholarship provides scholarships for disadvantaged or disabled people 18 years or younger wanting to further their career in the arts, entertainment and allied industries. For information telephone
08 9388 3480.
The
Cowan Trust may assist with the cost of equipment for tertiary students who are blind or who have low vision. For information telephone 08 8232 4777.
The
Wyatt Benevolent Institution-Educational Grants are designed to assist students through a period of financial hardship to complete, or commence, a course of study which will lead to employment and future financial independence. For information contact the disability liaison officer or student services adviser at TAFE or university.
There are a variety of other scholarships available to people studying at TAFE or university. For information contact the scholarships officer at the TAFE or university of your choice.
Alternatively you can also use the
Australian Grants Register which can be found in some public, TAFE and university libraries. Information about the Australian Grants Register can be found on the web at
http://www.grantsearch.com.au/