Access disability support

If you're Deaf, neurodivergent or living with a disability or medical condition, we're here to help. We'll work with you to make sure you can fully participate in your studies.

You can access specialist advice and support if you:

• Have a confirmed disability or diagnosis
• Are neurodivergent
• Have a specific learning disability
• 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

Thinking about studying at AUT? You can register with us on your application form, and we'll contact you once your enrolment's confirmed.

Getting in touch early means that we can put tailored support in place from the moment your classes start. It’s never too late to reach out, even months (or years) into your studies.

Email to REGISTER

Verifying your disability

To get study support, you'll need to provide documentation confirming your disability or medical condition.

Documentation types

You'll need to provide:

1. Medical evidence of your disability or condition and its impact on your ability to study and learn in a university environment
2. Professional assessments that outline your educational needs

Who can provide verification

You can get verification from:

• A primary health care professional like your GP
• An educational or clinical psychologist
• A registered disability provider like Blind Low Vision NZ or Deaf Aotearoa

If you’re unsure about which documentation you need to provide, please contact us. If you don’t have any documentation we may be able to help you access an external assessment.

What to expect

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

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

From there, we can create an Academic Accommodation Plan – an outline of the services and resources we’ll provide to support you in class and in assessments. This plan is designed to help you stay independent in your learning.

We’ll make sure your lecturers and faculties know what support you need and who’s providing it.

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. This helps us give you the right support throughout your university journey and ensures that we adequately measure the number of learners with disabilities at the point of enrolment. AUT is committed to upholding your privacy, how we will do this is outlined 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.