Accessibility Services

Te Ata Kūtoro - the pathway of allowing accessibility

Our Role:
Supporting students with impairments to be successful in their studies.

Our Vision:
The Accessibility Services Vision is to work collaboratively with students at the University of Waikato to empower individuals with impairments to reach their goals and achieve their full academic potential.

Core Values:

  • Empowerment
  • Collaboration
  • Professionalism
  • Accessibility
  • Diversity

The University of Waikato is committed to providing equity in education and works to ensure that students with impairments have access to all areas of campus life and the student experience.  Our Accessibility Service strives to make our University more inclusive and accessible as well as having equity of opportunity for success.

Although registration is welcome at any time, all students with impairments or support needs are encouraged to register with Accessibility Services before coming to University or very early in their studies. This will ensure the right support for the student's unique needs.

Accessibility Services Video Thumb

Services

We support long-term, short-term and temporary impairment including, but not limited to:

  • Sensory impairment – Vision, hearing
  • Physical impairment – Head injury, mobility, speech
  • Specific Learning Disability – Dyslexia, dyscalculia, Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Mental health – Anxiety, depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Temporary impairment – Injuries, Occupational Overuse Syndrome

If you are unsure if you qualify to use the service, please make contact with the team.

Alongside a range of other support services available on campus, Accessibility Services can form part of your education support network, helping to make your University of Waikato experience as successful and rewarding as possible. The section below outlines specific educational assistance accessed through Accessibility Services.

Accessibility Service Registration

The Accessibility Service provides information and services to assist you in your studies.  Students are encouraged to make contact with the Accessibility Service early.

Students who require alternative print formats or the use of a sign language interpreter should contact the Service well before enrolment in order for the support systems to be set up in advance of your course.

Registration Form

Please complete the registration under the ‘Accessibility Services’ tab on MyWaikato.

Who are Accessibility Services?

We are a small dedicated team, with a strong focus on providing a quality robust service that works for the students who engage with us. Our aim is to provide all students at the University of Waikato chances to succeed academically regardless of whatever impairments they may be experiencing and to have the opportunity to have a positive and engaging student experience.

We run drop-in sessions between 10am - 11am Monday to Friday on the Hamilton campus and 10am - 11am Tuesday and Wednesday on the Tauranga campus.  Outside those times, appointments can be made to meet with any of our team.

Meet the team

Hamilton Campus – Located on Level One of the Student Centre

Terry Johnston - Accessibility Advisor
Terry brings many years of experience working with and supporting people, from the youth to the elderly. He has a holistic approach to wellness and is passionate about seeing people thrive and succeed.

Cori Poimatagi - Accessibility Advisor
Cori comes with years of experience supporting disadvantaged youth, adults and whanau move toward achieving their goals and improved mental well-being. He believes in creating an enabling environment for students to support with their learning and also empowering them to access supports on campus. Cori is also a registered Occupational Therapist.

Tauranga Campus – Located on Level One with the Student Advisors

Caro Genet - Accessibility Advisor

Caro comes with a wide range of experience supporting students with diversity in their learning at tertiary level. She also has many years of experience working with, and advocating for people in their everyday lives. As part of the Accessibility Team, Caro enjoys using an ecological perspective to create accessible learning solutions.

Resources

There is a vast array of additional information and resources available aimed at enhancing the educational experience of students with an impairment.

Contact Accessibility Services

The Accessibility Service staff provide and coordinate individual support for students with an impairment. In Hamilton we are located on level one in the Student Centre. For Tauranga, please contact the team to discuss support options.