Access disability support

Accessing support for your studies at AUT is straightforward. If you're Deaf or have a diagnosed disability or medical condition, we're here to help – from registration through to your Academic Accommodation Plan and beyond. We'll work with you to make sure you can fully participate in your studies and academic life.

You can access specialist advice and support if you:

• Have a confirmed disability or diagnosis
• Are neurodivergent or have a specific learning disability like dyslexia, dyscalculia or any condition on the autism spectrum
• Have a mental health diagnosis
• Are Deaf or hard of hearing
• Are Blind or have low vision
• Have mobility challenges
• Have a temporary, chronic or ongoing injury or illness
• Are experiencing difficulties but don’t have a confirmed disability or diagnosis

TYPES OF DISABILITY SERVICES

Register/contact us as soon as you can

Contact us early so we can start building a support plan that works for you. The earlier you contact us, the faster we can get everything sorted.

Already a few months (or years) into your studies? That's fine. It’s never too late to reach out.

Thinking about studying at AUT? Get in touch anytime for more information. You can also register with us on your application form, and we'll reach out to you once your enrolment's confirmed.

Email to REGISTER

Verifying your disability

To get study support, you'll need to provide documents that verify your disability.

Documentation types

You'll need to provide:

1. Medical evidence of your disability or condition and how it affects your ability to study and learn in a university environment
2. Valid professional assessments that outline your educational needs

Who can provide verification

You can get verification from:

• An educational psychologist or similar
• A primary health care professional like your GP
• A registered disability provider like Blind Low Vision NZ or Deaf Aotearoa
• AUT's mental health advisor (this isn’t a diagnostic service, but if you're seeking a diagnosis they'll walk you through what to do next)

Not sure if your documentation ticks the boxes? Contact us and we'll let you know what we need.

What to expect

We’ll invite you to meet with us, and together we’ll work out what support you need to thrive at AUT.

Bring your verification documents to the meeting so we can match you with the right support based on what's recommended.

From there, we’ll create an Academic Accommodation Plan that outlines the services and resources we’ll provide across the semester. It's built around you and how you learn best, designed to support your independence in learning. Need an external educational needs assessment? We can help you access that too.

We’ll make sure your lecturers and faculties know what support you need and who’s providing it. If anything changes in your programme, let us know and we’ll update your plan.

Your cultural identity matters here. You’re welcome to bring a support person to your appointment, or we can arrange for one of our cultural advisors to be there.

University disability data requirements

All universities in New Zealand are required to record information about Deaf and disabled learners. It's not about box-ticking, it helps us understand what support you need throughout your time here and gives us accurate numbers on how many students with disabilities we're supporting. We take your privacy seriously, and you can read exactly how we protect your information in our privacy policy.

LEARN MORE

Other support services

Māori student support: Pou Māori

Pou Māori – Māori Centre is an iwi Māori-focused support service.

Pacific student support

Our Pacific student wellbeing and success team offers guidance and advice – from Pacific people for Pacific people.

Rainbow student support

At AUT, our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, takātapui, queer, intersex, asexual or ace (LGBTTQIA+) communities are known as the rainbow community.

International student support

Find out more about how AUT will support you throughout your studies and learn more about starting your life as an international student in Auckland.

Postgraduate research student support

As a postgraduate research student at AUT you have access to a range of support and resources, including postgraduate study spaces, events and researcher development activities.