Disability services
With the right services, students with a disability can participate and achieve in vocational education and training. TAFE Disability Services Officers provide information and assistance to students with a disability.
TAFE Queensland recognises the definition of disability that is the basis of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, specifically:
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a physical impairment including physical disfigurement, wheelchair use, chronic pain and back injury
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an intellectual impairment
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a psychiatric condition
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a sensory impairment (hearing, vision)
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a neurological condition e.g. acquired brain injury or learning impairment
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a medical condition that may include asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart condition
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a combination of impairments that result in a reduced ability to access vocational education and training, and require support services.
Institute Disability Services Officers work collaboratively with students to identify their support requirements. Students who believe their studies may be affected by a disability should contact the TAFE Disability Services Officer available at each TAFE Queensland institute.
Reasonable adjustments can be made that give the students the same opportunities in training as a person without a disability.
Plan to be a TAFE student
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Prepare ahead, seek career advice to determine what courses will assist in achieving your vocational goal.
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Liaise with the TAFE Institute that can best meet your training needs. Check the courses available or contact the institute.
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Organise resources, investigate travel arrangements and organise personal care. Contact the Disability Services Officer about educational support and talk to your family about the support you will need.
Maintain your contacts to review your progress and achievements.
How disabilities services can help you
Disabilities services are aimed at ensuring equity of education. These services are provided in confidence and in accordance with privacy regulations. Students have the right to choose what they wish to disclose about themselves during discussions with the Disability Services Officer. Where necessary, students are asked to sign a 'Consent to Release Information' form to assist services to be provided.
Students are encouraged to answer the questions on the enrolment form related to disability. Answering these questions will not affect enrolment. The information collected is used to assist TAFE Queensland planning.
Services that meet students needs can only be arranged when students contact the institute Disability Services Officer. It does not happen automatically when 'disability' is ticked on the enrolment form.
Remember early notification assists us to meet student's specific support requirements. Late notification or failure to disclose disability may mean that services and support are not able to be organised within the time needed by the student.
Some courses have entry requirements or core competencies that must be achieved to receive a qualification. As well, some industries have particular licensing requirements that may also prevent a full qualification being achieved.
Individual assistance and advice may include:
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development of a learning support plan
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coordination of learning support
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options for course delivery and assessment arrangements
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referral to other agencies.
You can contact the institute Disability Services Officer if you think your studies may be affected in some way by a disability or chronic medical condition such as:
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hearing impairment (deaf or hard of hearing)
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vision impairment (blind or low vision)
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mobility impairment (wheelchair user, chronic pain, amputee, back injury, severe arthritis)
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psychiatric disability
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medical condition (asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart condition)
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learning difficulties
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intellectual disability.
Examples of services offered to students with disabilities
Examples of services offered to students with disabilities at TAFE Queensland include:
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note takers
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tutorial assistance
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flexible attendance and mode of delivery, including distance and online
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alternative methods of assessment and examination support
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interpreters for deaf or hearing impaired students
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adaptive technology and software, or specialised equipment
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access and designated parking
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library and reference material assistance.