Planning how to approach post-secondary education is vital when considering university study. It will assist in:

• deciding on a course/subject
• gaining a place at university
• identifying entry requirements
• accessing support
• deciding on modes of study – internal, external, online or mixed mode
• deciding about financial matters – eg Austudy, Abstudy, Pensioner Education Supplement, Government entitlements, what costs are involved, scholarships and awards
• identifying important dates
• defining rights and responsibilities
• locating resource contacts.

Additional information about the course is essential. This will include information about:

• transition, bridging and access programs
• cooperative programs between TAFE and the universities
• employment opportunities
• transport.

When an application to university has been successful it is a good idea to make an appointment with a careers adviser, disability support worker or course adviser who will assist with the training and education career path. If it is difficult to make decisions about a particular occupation or course of study the direction can be general to begin with.

For further information on how to access the careers advisers and career related services see the Careers Advice Services and course research section in Making it Happen.

Visit Training website

All post secondary training institutions in South Australia welcome students with disabilities or medical conditions who wish to study. If a person has a disability or medical condition the university will actively support their participation in the higher education course. A diverse student population is welcomed by universities who have a designated person to coordinate the provision of services for students with disabilities.

It is important that everyone is aware of their rights and understands them

• UN Declaration of Rights of Disabled Person,
• Federal law; the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth)
• State law: Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA)

Regional Disability Liaison Officer

• The Regional Disability Liaison Officer works with current and potential students, educational professionals, community members, family members and supporters of people with disabilities. The service is free.

The role of the Regional Disability Liaison Officer in South Australia is to:

• improve and raise awareness of pathways to post-secondary education. training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities
• facilitate the enhanced provision of quality services for current or potential students with disabilities in South Australia.

Disability Liaison Officers
Each South Australian university employs a Disability Liaison Officer. The role of this officer is to assist students with disabilities to identify and coordinate supports they may need during their study. This includes:

• negotiating alternative assessment with academic staff
• organising course material in different formats
• note taking, interpreting and specialist equipment
• assisting prospective students with information and advice about post-school options.

It is a good idea to contact the Disability Liaison Officer before applying to the education provider.

To contact the Disability Liaison Officer at the University of Adelaide
Phone (08) 8303 5663
Fax (08) 8303 3393

To contact the Disability Liaison Officer at the Flinders University of South Australia
Phone (08) 8201 2943
Fax (08) 8201 3154
TTY (08) 8302 3242

To contact the Disability Liaison Officer at the University of South Australia
Phone (08) 8302 4734
Fax (08) 8302 4390
TTY (08) 8302 4446

	Disability Advisers/Liaison Officers
	Regional Disability Liaison Officer
	On campus services

	Student organisations
	On campus accommodation
	Social activities on campus
	Equipment

	Centrelink
	CRS Australia
	New Apprenticeship Centre

	Vocational Education and Training (VET) in schools program
	Traineeships
	Apprenticeship scheme

Australasian network of students with disabilities ANSWD website visit website

Centrelink Disability Officers
Centrelink Disability Officers are specifically trained to provide assistance to people with disabilities. They have an expert knowledge on the local and general labour markets including knowledge on how disabilities can impact upon a client’s functional and work abilities. The role of the Centrelink Disability Officer is to:

• provide employment and training advice to clients with disabilities
• link clients to employment services
• assist clients to return to or commence work
• advise clients on appropriate employment assistance options
• assist clients on access to training and vocational rehabilitation
• explain and advise on medical eligibility for disability and carer payments
• make recommendations for complex claims regarding disability and carer payments
• provide training and medical advice to Centrelink Disability and Carer team members involved in the assessment of claims and medical reviews
• refer clients to organisations that can help with non-work related issues
• link clients with special needs to local disability, carer or other specialist officers or services within Centrelink such as social workers and indigenous specialist officers.

For more information contact Centrelink or visit a Centrelink Customer Centre visit website

Disability Services
The Disability Services Office of the Department of Human Services funds a range of government and non-government agencies to provide services for people with disabilities. These services include:

• supported accommodation
• respite care
• day services
• recreation
• family support.

The Department of Families and Communities
Phone: (08) 8366 7333 (coordination management)
Fax (08) 8366 7366
TTY (08) 8366 7399

It is important to consider how study can be undertaken depending on the person’s particular disability/medical condition or illness. There will be many issues needing consideration (See Making it Happen and Considering Higher Education, a planning guide for people with a disability or medical condition) and it is likely that working through these will take a while and involve a lot of planning. Then realistic decisions will be based on sound information.

Studying at university will introduce challenging new ideas and skills. The personal demands involved, which are experienced by all students, are balanced by the potential of university study to provide immense personal satisfaction as well as increased career opportunities and financial security.

Students at university have the opportunity to:

• join the national Willing and Able Mentoring Program, which provides a mentor in the area chosen
• access a range of other support services such as email list-serv for students with disabilities
• talk to near or recent graduates with a disability
• attend a range of seminars for example, Come and Try Higher Education – a seminar held in August for students with a disability or medical condition considering higher education
• access Speaking Up which is a service to enable the person to disclose in an appropriate way
• access the various Student Unions that have supports for their members with disabilities.