Creating Accessible Teaching and Support

The disability service in your organisation will be able to assist students to identify the implications of their disability for study and assessment and documenting accommodations and services required in the form of a Learning Access Plan (or similar).  They will also be able to assist staff to problem solve issues and provide information about support services, assistive technology and learning strategies

Disability practitioners are known variously as Disability Liaison Officers, Disability Advisors, Integration Coordinators, Teacher Consultants or Disability Officers.

Wherever possible student needs should be met inclusively by ensuring that all university programs and services are fully accessible to people with disability.   Staff from the areas responsible for providing services to other students may need assistance in working out how they can provide services to students with disability.

While the role of the disability practitioner is not always clear cut and position descriptions vary, primary functions are likely to include:

• assisting students to identify the implications of their disability for study and assessment
• documenting accommodations and services required in the form of a Learning Access Plan (or similar)
• providing information to students and staff about support services, assistive technology, learning strategies accommodations or adjustments that may be required
• managing interpreting and notetaking services
• providing disability education, training and awareness for staff
• assisting teaching and support staff to problem solve issues that arise
• assisting the organisation in the development and implementation of Disability Action Plans, policies and procedures to ensure disability services are mainstreamed
• assisting the organisation in balancing the rights of individual students and the interests of the institution.

The ADCET Practitioners' Toolkit provides useful tips for all those who work with people with disability in education and training.