Technical institute student disability services
Find spaces at technical institutes with an inclusive culture where our disabled community is valued and supported.
On this page
- What are polytechnics and institutes of technology?
- How do technical institutes differ from universities?
- What technical institutes are available in New Zealand?
What are polytechnics and institutes of technology?
If you have a specific career in mind, a technical institute might be the place for you! They’re sometimes called polytechnics or they might be called ‘Institutes of technology’ and they are tertiary education providers. This means like universities, they’re a next step in education level above high school.
If you jump on one of their websites you’ll find each offers a huge range of qualifications, from short courses that only run a few months right up to three-year degrees.
So whether you’re keen on construction and not sure where to start, or wanting to explore beauty therapy or cooking; you’ll find those qualifications and so much more at a technical institute. There can be a bit of cross-over with subjects you also find at universities like nursing, early childhood education, and information technology.
How do technical institutes differ from universities?
Both offer some amazing opportunities to learn new things and get the qualification you need to get a job in the area that interests you. Just as people are different, so are the different ways to learn. Here’s what you’ll typically find at a polytechs/ITP:
Focus on practical hands-on learning (vocational training)
Different entry requirements (less of a classic maths/ English/ science focus)
Smaller student to teacher ratio.
What technical institutes are available in New Zealand?
There are institutes across the country, they often have subjects that they focus on because there’s lots of demand for that in the area. So, if you can’t find a subject you like close to you, it might be available at a different location. You'll find the buildings where you go to learn is called a ‘Campus’.
Check out the links below to find out more about the disability services offered at each institution and get in touch with their support teams.
Ara Institute of Canterbury Disability Services – Ara’s Disability Services provide information, services, and equipment to help you make the most of study.
Campus: Christchurch, Ashburton, Oamaru, Timaru
Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) Disability Wellbeing and Support – EIT has support available for students with physical, mental, intellectual, sensory, or learning disabilities across its many campuses and learning centres.
Campus: Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne
Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) Disability Support Services – MIT offers a range services to disabled students to help them achieve their learning goals including note-takers, exam adjustments, screening for dyslexia/dyscalculia, screening for Irlen Syndrome, New Zealand Sign Language interpreters, and adaptive technology.
Campus: Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) Accessibility Support – MNIT’s Learner Success team ensures that students with disabilities, learning difficulties, medical conditions, injuries, or impairments receive support to achieve their goals.
Campus: Nelson
NorthTec Disability Support – NorthTec’s Disability Support Team is here to discuss how they can support you to meet your needs and aspirations. They offer academic support and meetings with Disability Coordinators, reader-writers for exams and assessments, exam and assessment adjustments, screening for dyslexia and more.
Campus: Auckland, Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Whangārei
Otago Polytechnic Acccessibility Services - Their Accessibility Advisors provide support tailored to your individual needs. Depending on what you need, this could include classroom notetakers, readers/writers, tutors, equipment, assistive technology, orientation and liaison with lecturing staff and community agencies.
Campus: Dunedin
Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Disability and Access Services – This online institute offers a whole lot of supports for learners with a disability, chronic medical condition, or neurodiversity. This includes specific disability and access services, assistive technology tools, alternative course materials and resources, exam and test assistance and more. They also have achieved the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark.
Campus: Online
Southern Institute of Technology Accessibility Advisor – SIT offer learning support and have an Accessibility Advisor you can book in with if you’d like support around screening and remedial resources for dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome, if it could be helpful to have a reader/writer, mobility parking permits, equipment, advocacy, or advice. They also have achieved the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark.
Campus: Invercargill, Queenstown, Christchurch, Gore, Balclutha, Distance learning
Tai Poutini Polytechnic Disability Support - The team at Tai Poutini offers support, resources, and information to students with disabilities and learning difficulties.
Campus: Greymouth, Westport, Reefton, Wānaka, Queenstown, Auckland.
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Accessibility/Disability Services – Their Accessibility Facilitators can meet with you to plan what supports you may need, for example in deciding what to study and in enrolling, advocacy for you and your needs, developing individual education access plans, note taking services, alternative test/exam arrangements, assistive technology and equipment.
Campus: Rotorua, Tauranga, Taupō, Tokoroa, Whakatāne
UCOL Disability Services - UCOL provides support services to help students with disabilities, impairments, ongoing medical conditions, or temporary injuries that affect learning. This could include assistive technology, extra time allowances, exam supports and advocacy services through their disability support team.
Campus: Palmerston North, Whanganui, Masterton, Levin
Unitec Institute of Technology Access4Success – Unitec’s Access4Success team will work with you to ensure you can fully participate in your studies and achieve your learning aspirations. They can offer supports with assistive technology, sign language interpreting, alternative exam arrangements, notetaking and advocacy. Unitec is also part of the Hidden Sunflowers programme.
Campus: Auckland
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) Student Accessibility Services - Manaaki Ākonga Student Accessibility Services work with all areas of Wintec to provide support and build independence and opportunities for disabled students. It might be providing a notetaker for you in the classroom, a reader /writer for exams, mobility parking, support by liaising with tutors, software/technology solutions, walk-through campus for accessibility option and/or, equipment or other practical support.
Campus: Hamilton, Tokoroa, Online
Whitireia and WelTec Disability Support – The Disability Support team is here to support you if you have disabilities, mental health issues or specific learning difficulties. They can tailor their support to your specific needs. The team offer guidance regarding disabilities and teaching/learning strategies and can work with you and your family/whānau in preparing to study. They support the development of Educational Support Plans, can offer specialised equipment, exams support and more.
Campus: Petone, Porirua, Wellington
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) Accessibility Support – WITT offers a range of support services to disabled students from enrolment assistance to specialised equipment, mobility parks, advocacy, reader/writers and exam arrangements.
Campus: New Plymouth
There’s so much to learn and so many places who are excited to have you join them. This could be an opportunity for you to try living in a new place, or stretch your horizons in the city or town you live in.
We recommend contacting your education provider’s disability service as early as possible so they can start putting the right support in place for you to reach your goals.