Students with physical disabilities

Physical disabilities can make access across campus and some areas of study harder. We can help you identify practical options to navigate uni – from getting around campus to changes that make study more manageable.

Types of support for students with physical disabilities

You can access:

• Support to talk through your individual needs with lecturers and faculties
• Alternative arrangements for assessments and exams, like extra time or use of technology
• Technology support for reading, writing and notetaking
• Strategies for accessing lecture content and notes, like Notes Online
• Help navigating the campuses
• Emergency evacuation information

Accessibility on campus

AUT is committed to creating spaces that work for everyone. Here’s what’s already in place:

• All buildings have lifts or ramps to lecture theatres, classrooms, libraries and accessible toilets nearby
• Some lifts have raised numerals or braille on buttons, and others include voice announcements
• The Assistive Technology Lab provides an enabled technology space on Level 4 of the City Campus library with secure access (swipe cards are provided by Disability Support Services)
• The North Campus library includes height‑adjustable desks, a de‑stress zone and a low‑light study area
• Many doors open automatically or have push-button access

Got questions about accessibility? Reach out to Disability Support Services.

Student mobility parking

Mobility parking spaces are available on or near each campus for students with a valid CCS Mobility Parking permit. Look for the wheelchair symbol, make sure your permit is visible and pay at the mobility meters or through the Ubipark app.

Need a permit? They are issued by CCS Disability Action. You can apply for a short-term permit for up to twelve months or a long-term permit for five years.

If you need help finding or paying for mobility parking on campus, we can point you in the right direction. The team can talk you through parking locations, costs, dedicated spots and any financial support to pay for a mobility parking permit.

Book an appointment through the AUT App, My AUT or email  disability.office@aut.ac.nz

Disability assist dogs

Certified disability assist dogs are welcome on campus. They'll need to wear a jacket showing they're certified by one of these 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

AUT shuttle buses

Shuttle buses run between the City and South Campuses. They have free wifi and ramps so wheelchair users can travel easily.

SHUTTLE BUSES INFORMATION

Assistance during evacuations

If you can’t use stairs during an evacuation, it’s important to have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan in place.

Each AUT building has safety zones where you can wait for Fire and Emergency New Zealand to arrive. It helps to know where these are and how to get to them. We recommend using MazeMap (in the AUT App) to plan ahead.

It also helps to chat with your lecturers about what you need, ask classmates to help during an evacuation and reach out to Disability Support to set up a plan that works for you.

For more details, visit the AUT safety, security and emergencies page.