TAFE NSW Training & Education Support, Social Inclusion and Vocational Access Skills Unit

How can the Teacher/Consultant for Students with Disabilities assist me?

TAFE NSW Teacher/Consultants are available to assist with your study needs. Your right to privacy and confidentiality will be respected. Teacher/Consultants have specialised expertise in a range of disabilities including:

·  Deafness/hearing impairment

·  Intellectual disability

·  Psychiatric disability and mental illness

·  Neurological (including acquired brain injury and learning disability)

·  Vision impairment

·  Physical disability.

Once you have contacted the Teacher/Consultant you can organise assistance with:

·  information about courses before you enrol

·  enrolment advice and assistance, including fee exemption

·  advice on possible financial support

·  information on support staff, services and adaptive equipment

·  information on other TAFE NSW and community services.

How can I contact the Teacher/ Consultant?

To find the name and contact details of your local Teacher/Consultant you can:

·  phone your nearest TAFE NSW college or campus

·  phone the TAFE NSW Information Centre on 131 601

·  go to the TAFE NSW website https://www.tafensw.edu.au/

What services are available?

There is a large range of support services available to meet your individual needs:

·  Pre-enrolment assistance It is a good idea to contact the local TAFE NSW Teacher/Consultant before you enrol to look at options and available assistance.

·  Learner Support Learner Support is based on your individual needs and can be one-to-one or in a group. Learner Support may include:

·  organisation or explanation of class notes

·  writing and study skills

·  help with assignments

·  modification of learning materials

·  organisation of assessments in alternative formats

·  training and assistance in using adaptive technology.

·  Notetakers Notetakers go to class with you and take class notes in plain English. They can also explain the notes to you after class. Alternatively, you may prefer to use adaptive equipment such as a computer or FM listening equipment.

·  Interpreters If you are Deaf or hearing impaired, an interpreter can be provided to communicate what is happening in the classroom. The interpreter will, as far as possible, communicate all discussions, information and demonstrations delivered by teachers and/or students in the class.

They will also communicate your comments to the rest of the class.

·  Adaptive Equipment A range of adaptive equipment can be made available for students with disability. Talk to the Teacher/Consultant who can assist with selecting the appropriate assistive technology for example:

·  TTYs

·  audio systems such as FM systems and amplification devices

·  computers and computer aids and software including screen readers

·  wheelchair access and modified furniture

·  manual dexterity assistance

·  tape recorders

·  Braille transcripts

·  writing and reading assistance.

·  Access and mobility Teacher/Consultants can arrange appropriate access on behalf of students or they can organise the location of a class to be changed. They can also:

·  assist with organising attendant care

·  give or organise college orientation

·  provide mobility training.

What about assessments and exams?

Exams can be given in different ways. This may be arranged by the Teacher/Consultant after discussions with you and the teacher. Exam assistance is flexible and, if necessary, may include one or more of the following services:

·  extra time

·  break times

·  a reader and/or writer

·  exams rewritten in plain English

·  interpreters for Deaf and hearing impaired students

·  separate exam rooms

·  adaptive equipment such as computers, reading and writing aids, special seating or lighting changes

·  exam materials in different formats such as Braille or large print.

Are there different ways for me to study?

·  Flexible Attendance Flexible attendance may be available to support your study by:

·  having extra time to do a course

·  taking fewer units of study

·  spending less time at TAFE and more time studying at home.

·  Distance Education The Open Training and Education network (OTEN) offers distance education courses. OTEN also has Teacher/Consultants who provide support services to OTEN students with disability.

For more information:

www.oten.edu.au

Phone 1300 3362 890 Fax (02) 9715 8549

SMS (Deaf students only) 0408 608 193

Email

Local TAFE Contact Information

A Guide to Services for People with Disability in TAFE NSW – 2011

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