Disability practitioners are known variously as Disability Liaison Officers, Disability Advisors, Integration Coordinators, Teacher Consultants or Disability Officers. 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
- Provide disability education, training and awareness for staff
- Assist teaching and support staff to problem solve issues that arise
- Assist the organisation in the development and implementation of Disability Action Plans, policies and procedures to ensure disability services are mainstreamed
- Assist to the organisation in balancing the rights of individual students and the interests of the institution.
The Practitioners' Toolkit provides useful tips for all those who work with people with disability in education and training settings.