Contact the Disability Support Service if you have a disability or chronic illness which is likely to affect your academic performance or ability to move around campus.

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Can I use the Disability Support Service if I have a temporary disability such as a broken arm?

Yes you can. The Disability Support Service provides support and services to students who have either a temporary or permanent disability.

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How can the Disability Support Service assist me while I’m a student at University?

The Disability Support Service provides registered students with specific support and services that aim to reduce the disadvantage caused by the student's disability. These include lecture support, assistance with exams/assessments, print disability support, assistance with mobility issues, library and computing support/training and advice and advocacy.

Many students with a disability will not need to access these services if they have developed their own methods of support or their support needs are being met by academic and general staff in their specific faculty.

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Why do I need to register with the Disability Support Service?

You will need to register if you require services or support offered centrally through the Disability Support Service as outlined above. Your eligibility for such services will be assessed against your supporting documentation.

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How do I register with the Disability Support Service?

To register with the Disability Support Service you need to make an appointment with one of the Disability Advisors to discuss your needs. To successfully register with the Service you will need to provide certain documentation and other information. This is outlined in the checklist below:

Registration Interview Checklist

You will need to provide the correct supporting documentation from your doctor or specialist as detailed in the Disability Support Service Documentation Policy.
Personal details - current address (term and home), phone numbers, date of birth etc.
Enrolment details - program, courses, course coordinators, days and times of lectures or tutorials if relevant
Prior to appointment think about what support you may need or what support you have received previously at other educational institutions that assisted you with your study.

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What is the best method of contacting the Disability Support Service?

CALLAGHAN

In person:

Ask the staff at the Student Enquiry Counter in the Student Services Centre to make an appointment for you with Disability Support Service.

By phone:

(02) 4921 5766 or (02) 4921 5866

If staff are unavailable please leave a message with your contact details.

By email:

Students must use the email address below to contact staff of the Disability Support Service:

student-disability@newcastle.edu.au

OURIMBAH

In person:

Visit the Student Support Unit to make an appointment with Disability Support staff.

By phone:

(02) 4348 4060

By email:

Students must use the email address below to contact staff of the Disability Support Service:

student-disability@newcastle.edu.au

PORT MACQUARIE

Students with a disability studying at the Port Macquarie campus need to contact the Disability Support Service at the Newcastle Campus to register and discuss their support requirements.

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What are the opening hours for Disability Support Service and the Adaptive Technology Centre?

Disability Support Service

9:00 - 5:00 Monday to Friday
Appointments are required

Adaptive Technology Centre

8:30 - 5:00 Monday to Friday
Appointments are required for registration and specific support
Arrangements can be made through the Adaptive Technology Centre for access to the Centre during library opening hours

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What support is available for academic & study skills development?

The Learning Support Program available through the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre (ELFSC).
InfoSkills Tutorial available online for library and research skills development.
Self paced IT Skills Tutorials available online.
The Learning Development Service is available for Ourimbah campus students.

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What support is available in lectures?

Depending on identified needs and supporting documentation, students registered with the Disability Support Service may be eligible for services including sign interpreters, note-taking, equipment loans and ergonomic furniture.
Audio loops are available in several lecture theatres - contact the Disability Support Service for more information.
It is often beneficial to discuss and negotiate support options with your lecturer/tutor as well as the Disability Support Service

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What support is available for physical assistance in the library?

Staff at all libraries can provide some assistance such as building access, orientation, retrieval of physical items, photocopying, library and information training.
For ongoing regular support it is recommended that students register with the Adaptive Technology Centre located in the Auchmuty Library for library and computer support, adaptive technology, equipment loans and ergonomic furniture.

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My disability makes it difficult for me to use a computer. Can I get any support or advice to help me with this?

The Adaptive Technology Centre specialises in assisting students with a disability in the use of computer technology. The centre provides students with a range of adaptive and mainstream computer technology to assist them with their studies. Training and support are provided by Centre staff on an ongoing basis.

To use the resources available through the Adaptive Technology Centre students must be registered with the Disability Support Service and have documentation which supports the use of this facility.

More information is available at the Adaptive Technology Centre website: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/adtech/index.html

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My disability makes it difficult for me to access or complete all the reading I have to do. Can I get any help with this?

Adaptive Technology Centre staff can assist students who have a registered print disability in the following ways:

Training and assistance with adaptive technology and accessible format conversion is available for students with a registered print disability in the Adaptive Technology Centre.
Students may be eligible for materials to be converted into a more usable format through the Accessible Format Translation Service available at the Adaptive Technology Centre, subject to having the appropriate documentation.
The Adaptive Technology Centre can provide advice and assistance to academic staff in ensuring course materials are accessible.

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Can the Disability Support Service organise an extension for my assignment?

The Disability Support Service is not in a position to approve or seek extensions for assignments. You need to follow the process as outlined in the Extension of Time or Adverse Circumstances Procedure.
The form and information about this can be found at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/forms/adverseforma.pdf
You will need to attach either primary documentation from your doctor/specialist or a current letter from the Disability Support Service.
It would also be extremely useful if you indicated on your form how long you think you will need to finalise your assessment task.

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Will I be able to get any assistance when I sit my exams?

If you have a disability which may effect your exam performance and your documentation supports this claim you can apply for Alternative Exam Arrangements.
Alternative Exam Arrangements may include extra time to complete your exam, use of a scribe, use of a computer or other specialised equipment/furniture/software and accessible format exam papers. This is not a complete list of possible arrangements so when you apply for AEA your specific requirements will be discussed and an application will be lodged with the Examinations Unit.
Alternative Exam Arrangement applications must be lodged in person by appointment with the Disability Support Service (Callaghan: 49215866, 49215766; Ourimbah: 43484060) or the Adaptive Technology Centre (49218684, 49217046).

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When do I apply for Alternative Examination Arrangements?

You can usually apply for Alternative Exam arrangements for approximately two to three weeks, depending on the University timetable, from when the exam timetable is released. It is important to check the specific dates on the Exam Timetable Information Page as no late applications are accepted due to organisational and time constraints.

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What information do I need to bring with me when I am applying for Alternative Examination Arrangements?

You will need to provide the name of degree program, course codes, full name of each course, dates and times of each exam, type of exam (i.e.: multiple choice, essay, short answer, practical), adjustments required (i.e.: extra time, ergonomic furniture, large print etc.)

Your AEA application may not be finalised if you cannot provide all the necessary information as outlined above.

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Can I get the same assistance for class tests?

Yes you can get the same assistance for class tests as you receive for exams.

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How do I organise assistance for a class test?

Discuss your exam needs with the Disability Advisor at the beginning of semester. The Disability Advisor will provide you with a letter outlining your support needs. Take this letter to your lecturer or tutor at least two weeks prior to your class exam and discuss your support needs. If clarification is required by you or your lecturer/tutor contact the Disability Advisor.

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I have to go on a field trip as part of my course. My disability makes this quite difficult. What should I do?

If you have a disability that may impact on your ability to undertake field trips, please discuss your needs with your lecturer at the beginning of semester or as soon as you are notified of the details of the field trip. If adjustments need to be made, discuss these with your lecturer and if required, contact the Disability Support Service to discuss ideas and options.

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I have to complete a professional placement for my course. Some aspects of the placement may be difficult for me to complete because of my disability. What should I do?

If you have a disability that may impact on your ability to undertake placements, please discuss your needs with your lecturer at the beginning of semester or as soon as you are notified of the details of the placement. If adjustments need to be made, discuss these with your lecturer and if required, contact the Disability Support Service to discuss ideas and options.

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My disability makes it difficult for me to move around campus. What can I do about this?

If the documentation you provide when you register with the Disability Support Service indicates a mobility issue then you may want to use our campus mobility bus service. You will need to provide the days, the times and pick up locations to staff at least one week prior to the date you need to use the bus.

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Can I get disability parking on campus?

Mobility Permit

Students who have been granted an RTA Mobility Permit (category - wheelchair and unable to walk more than 100m) are eligible for a free University Mobility Parking Permit. This permit is valid for parking in disabled car parking spaces. Applications can be made through Facilities Management Services, Services Building and must be supported by presenting the RTA Mobility Permit as verification.

Disability Access Permit

Students who have the need for closer parking because of a medical condition can apply for a Disability Permit. This permit is to be used in conjunction with a paid parking permit and enables the student to park in staff parking areas. Application can be made through the Disability Support Service in the Student Services Centre. The application must be supported by a current doctor's certificate outlining the duration the permit will be required and the reason the closer proximity parking is required.

For more information check the parking website at the following address: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/parking/student_parking.html

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What is the best way for my lecturers to be informed about my needs?

If you feel comfortable discussing your support needs with your lecturer it is recommended that you do this. Quite often your support needs can be implemented without the Disability Support Service having to get involved.

If you do not feel comfortable discussing your support needs with your lecturer then Disability Support staff can advocate on your behalf. This would usually be in the form of a support letter or email which only discloses the necessary information for your support to be implemented.

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Do I really need to use my studentmail account?

Absolutely! it is important to check your studentmail on a very regular basis. Not only is this one of the main ways the University keeps in contact with you, it is also the way the Disability Support Service maintains contact with registered students.

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How much notice do I need to give if I need support?

You need to give Disability Support Service and Adaptive Technology Centre staff as much notice as is possible to implement your support needs. Two weeks notice is the recommended minimum time frame.

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Are these support services available at all campuses?

Support and services are available to students with a disability at all campuses of the university. The support and services may be delivered in a slightly different way at different campuses.

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What is the Disability Support Service's website address?

The Disability Support Service has a comprehensive website. It is highly recommended that you look at this site if you have any questions or would like to find out more about the service: www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/index

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