As of 2023, 1 in 10 students at Otago University declared that they had a disability impacting their ability to study. This number has only increased over time, but Te Kokeka Whakamua – the University’s new disability action plan for 2024-2027 – aims to make things easier for these students. Critic Te Ārohi read this whole plan so y’all don't have to. You’re welcome.
The New Zealand Disability Strategy describes disabilities as “something that happens when people with impairments face barriers in society.” Society was not designed with everyone in mind, and the University is hoping to address this with their new action plan.
Mental health issues and learning disabilities (such as ADHD and dyslexia) make up almost half of the students supported by the Disability Information and Support Office (DIS). Other disabilities supported by DIS include medical, temporary, mobility, head injury, and hearing, vision and speech. With over 2,250 students affected in one or more of these ways, this plan carries huge weight and can potentially create real and lasting positive change.
The plan was developed through a “student-centred approach.” Feedback from 2019-2022 was analysed to compile a list of barriers and potential actions to address them. A range of student reps (including former Otago Disabled Students’ Association President Sean Prenter and OUSA Welfare Rep Tara Shepherd), experts, DIS staff and disabled students were consulted to ensure the most important areas were covered, and then focus groups were held to gain perspectives on the final plan.
Disability Information and Support Manager Melissa Lethaby, speaking to a press release about the plan, explained that “capturing the voices and aspirations of our disabled student community has been central to developing this action plan, and that commitment will continue through its implementation.” We love to see it.
There are five barriers identified in the plan: technology, attitudes, policy and processes, information and communication, and campus environment. The University “aspires for all students to reach their full potential while studying” and is “committed to implementing the necessary policy, training and operating procedures to ensure we create a barrier-free environment.”
Te Kokeka Whakamua contains five broad goals with specific actions under each to eliminate these barriers. Director of Student Services Claire Gallop explained that the plan’s goals and actions are “ambitious but achievable, and have the potential to make an enormous difference for our disabled tauira.” Some of the actions required to achieve the plan’s goals are already underway. This includes introducing disability confidence training for staff and incorporating diverse needs into space planning.
What some students have wondered to Critic Te Ārohi is why some of these actions are being pushed all the way to 2026 and 2027. One student described this as “pretty shit” and wondered “what the Uni was prioritising instead.” They expressed that something as fundamental as disability support, especially a good disability support plan, should be rolled out faster. Another student just wanted to know why there was such a delay in parts of the plan, but the University has provided no clear explanation as to why this was the case.
Aside from the timeframe, the plan is strong, and will hopefully be a game changer for thousands of students. One of the alumni involved in developing the plan, Sean Prenter, emphasised that “Together we will challenge bias. As a collective, we will break down barriers. As a community, we will realise inclusion.” “My hope is that Te Kokeka Whakamua will help to further extend the support chains on offer at the University of Otago and ensure no student feels like they stand alone,” he explained.
The University hopes to raise indicators of student success for disabled students to equal the general student population by 2030. These include raising the pass rate for first-year papers, first-year student retention rates, qualification completion rates, and the number of disabled students reporting a strong sense of belonging to the University community.
Vice-Chancellor Hon. Grant Robertson says the launch of this plan is a “significant milestone”, and hyped up Otago as a leader in disability support. With this plan, they are hoping to do even better. “We want to make sure Otago is a place where all students feel a sense of belonging, are respected, valued, and able to reach their full potential. All staff have a role to play in making sure that happens,” said Grant. For more information, the full document for Te Kokeka Whakamua is available on the University website.