We're here to back you up
We want to help remove barriers that students with medical conditions, injuries or disabilities may face in higher education. We aim to provide students with the tools to be successful and to ensure they have a rewarding experience at UOW. We also provide advice to UOW staff on inclusive teaching and learning practice, to ensure that UOW is a safe and equitable space for all our students.
Register nowDisability Services: how we support you
Tracey: The disability service is committed to providing a community of support to students at UOW. We help students by providing a range of programs and support services that assist them to achieve their learning goals.
Harrison: So I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I have trouble reading and writing, so words move and I have trouble actually forming the words. My reasonable adjustment plan is a document that I can send to anyone at the uni and it sort of explains my disability in how I'd prefer to be taught. And there's different points and recommendations from class time and also giving me reason to have extensions on work. The technology, it is like access room in the library. You get your own little room and there's like programs like your own special computers with um this programs which um reads texts for you out loud. And then another program where I talk and then it types out essays and stuff. I've sort of come to terms that I do need this extra help now and I'm very glad I did cause I wouldn't have been able to gotten through without this help. There's nothing wrong with having a disability, it's just, it's how you learn. I would recommend it to anyone.
Emma: This year I started a first year undergraduate degree. I'm doing creative arts in the field of graphic design. I hadn't approached the disability service when I started at the college and I managed to get through the college without support. But it was very, very, very difficult. And I thought when I started my degree, I'd seek out my tutors and my lecturers and just let them know that I've got a very complicated life and I, I might need support at times. And one of the people I sought out was my student support advisor and she then referred me onto the disability service after I told her my story. With my reasonable adjustment documented, I was able to choose my tutorials before everyone else. And also if I was late with an assignment because of my anxiety causing issues to my ability to do it, I could then email either my disability liaison officer and have her email my tutors or email my tutors myself. And they were a little bit more lenient in with extensions and things like that. One of the biggest benefits for me in seeking the support was just knowing that someone had my back if I was struggling. I set myself up in case I failed. So I was able to ask for support before I needed it. And then the people who I to be there for me when I did need it, were they, because they were aware of me and aware of my needs specifically and how to help me.
