Name: Jody Holdback
Course: Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice
Education Provider: The Flinders University of South Australia
Entry Pathway: Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Study: A combination of full time and part time study depending on family commitments and health
“It has been great that I have been able to negotiate my programme to suit me whether its full time, three quarter time or even one subject.”
Disability:
Totally blind
Mental illness (Depression)
Accommodations:
Screen reading programme called JAWS
Extension of time for assignments and exams
Readers during open book exams
Texts and readings in electronic format
“I tried different types of accommodations in the three areas of assignments, ‘texts and other readings’ and exams. Once I found something that worked for me the accommodation stayed consistent throughout my degree”
I decided to undertake tertiary study as I wanted career. As a person with a disability I wanted to be considered like everyone else and demonstrate that I could perform at the same level and obtain the same type of degree that any other abled bodied person would do.
I also wanted to have the same level of empowerment entering society knowing that I had a solid Bachelors degree and could utilise my abilities and natural intelligence. I have always had an interest in law and loved a challenge so I decided to study a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice at Flinders University.
My initial goal was to go into the law so that I could work in the courts system. However while undertaking study my careers goals have altered slightly as I have discovered new options and avenues during my studies that I didn’t know existed before.
I would now like to work in a law firm and I have strong interest in copyright law and animal rights.
As a student with a print disability there were a number of hurdles that I needed to overcome in order to access the resources to study. All the materials that I needed to read for my assignments and to conduct research were in print format and as a student who is totally blind these were not accessible.
Several text book publishers were willing to give us an electronic copy of text books we had purchased but these offers only covered written text and not research materials. To address this hurdle I negotiated with Butterworths the largest publisher of legal materials in Australia to provide students with a print disability access to research materials in electronic format. This collaboration resulted in students with a print disability nationally and internationally having access to electronic legal texts.
“I thoroughly recommend without a doubt that people with a disability undertake tertiary study. It is not the easiest thing to do and it certainly requires you to use the right skills or learn the right skills and access the facilities available to you but it is fantastic and certainly something that I will never regret doing.”
“My studies have given me confidence in myself as a person and have empowered me within the community and even in my own family and social networks”
Be forward about your disability – if you need assistance ask!
It is important to socially interact with your peers, introduce yourself and react positively to questions. In tutorial groups don’t stand back and make yourself apart of the group. Engage in conversation!
Find out who your lecturers are and make an appointment to go and see them. Talk to them about their lecture style and what your requirements will be in conjunction with their lecturing style. For example you may need overhead slides and power point presentations in electronic format and in advance of the lecture.
Make sure that you see the disability staff at your institution. The Disability Liaison Officer will set out an access plan for you and liaise with lecturers on your behalf to organise the accommodations that you may need. Make sure that you speak with a Disability Liaison Officer on a regular basis and maintain communication with them.
Attend open days and orientation sessions. It is important to know your way around campus and where the toilets, lecture theatres and disability office are located.
I attended a back to study skills topic before starting my course as it had been a few years since I studied. I found this topic to be excellent and well worth doing. Many tertiary institutions will offer these topics for first year students. Check them out!
Contact the welfare office at your education provider they are an excellent source of knowledge and support especially if you are a parent. The welfare officer will have a list of child care facilities in your area. The welfare office and other groups will also provide you with advice on related rebates and other assistance that you may be eligible to receive.
Discuss your decision to study with your family and organise to set aside study time at home.