Disability Is No Barrier To Education & Training!
We’re truly lucky to live in a country that strives to promote equality in all areas. Australian laws ensure that any person with disability can participate in education here in the same way as anyone else. Anyone studying with a disability will be given equal access to their chosen program, with appropriate support as needed to allow participation.
If you’re a person living with disability who wishes to undertake higher education or vocational training, go for it! To start with, make sure you have supporting documentation from a health practitioner that verifies your disability. This is called a Health Practitioner Report (HPR). Then you can begin discussions with your education provider. Most providers have a disability practitioner who will help you develop what is called a ‘Learning Access Plan (LAP)’ that’s unique to you. Your LAP outlines any reasonable adjustments and supports necessary to enable your participation in your studies and coursework. It’s based on information provided by yourself in conjunction with your health practitioner, that specifies the nature and severity of your disability and any possible impact your condition, or any medication you take, can have on your studies. Your plan can be reviewed at any stage and details any academic adjustments required at your provider. These may include things like:
- Additional reading/writing/typing time
- A notetaker who accompanies you
- Specific software
- Materials provided in different/accessible formats
The NDIS has created a comprehensive pre-planning toolkit for people with disability entering higher education or vocational education and training. It’s designed to be used before you begin your tertiary studies and details disability specific adjustments, grouped into disability categories. The booklets will help you identify the supports you might need, who provides them and how you can access them. You can find out more and access the toolkits here
The availability of disability services while studying in Australia means that disability is certainly no barrier to receiving education or training. It just takes a little planning and forethought, and some well-planned usage of your NDIS funding to engage any extra support you may need. Once you have these elements in place, all that’s left to do is start!
Find disability support services
Are you looking for a support worker to assist you with your participation in tertiary education? Our NDIS registered platform connects you to local independent disability support workers. Post an ad that details your needs and you’ll be contacted directly by applicants. It’s then up to you who you interview and select to support you, so you can choose someone you feel is the right fit. Our workers set their own rates and can negotiate with you to suit your NDIS budget. You can also arrange a schedule that suits your needs – you won’t have to put up with an agency scheduling workers at times you can’t control. Visit Careseekers now and see how we can help you find the perfect support worker for your studying journey.
To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer
To find aged care services, please visit https://www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers
To find disability support services, please visit https://www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers
