Students who are Blind or have low vision

As a student who is Blind or has low vision, you’ll have access to a range of resources and support to help you succeed with your studies.

Types of support for students who are Blind or have low vision

You can access:

  • Advice on personalising technology, software and hardware to meet your needs
  • One-to-one training on available technology
  • Access to study materials in alternative formats
  • Support to discuss your individual needs with lecturers and academic departments
  • Alternative arrangements for assessments and exams – like extra time, readers or the use of technology
  • Strategies for accessing lecture content and notes, like notes online

The assistive technology coordinator supports your access to study materials by offering software training and can work with you to communicate your accessibility needs to your faculty.

Our assistive technology coordinator will assess your needs when you meet with us and develop your support plan. We can arrange training on our different software programmes if you need it.

You may need print materials in alternative formats. Contact your lecturers as soon as possible to find out what your course materials are so they can be transcribed in time for you to use them.

Disability support appointment

Contact us to determine what you might need to remove the barriers preventing you from fully participating in your studies.

MAKE A BOOKING

Accessibility on campus

  • Most of our buildings have a lift or ramp to get to lecture theatres and classrooms, and an accessible toilet close by
  • Many doors open automatically or have buttons to open
  • Some of our lifts have raised numerals or braille on buttons, and others also use voice announcements
  • If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact Disability Support Services.

Disability assist dogs

Certified disability assist dogs are welcome on campus. They must wear a jacket identifying one of the following certifying organisations:

  • Assistance Dogs New Zealand
  • Blind and Low Vision NZ (Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated)
  • Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand
  • K9 Medical Detection New Zealand
  • K9 Search Medical Detection
  • Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust
  • New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dogs Trust
  • Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust

Tools, technology and software available

Assistive technology is readily available to all AUT students, whether these are standard tools on your computer, free software, part of Office 365, or subscriptions and hardware we can fund.

EXPLORE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Contact us

Help at AUT

You can contact us in the way that best suits you. For any question relating to Disability Support Services:

Phone: +64 9 921 9210

Email: disability.office@aut.ac.nz