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Accessibility and learning support case studies

You can see examples of support that our Accessibility and Learning Support team have provided in these case studies.

John obtained an acquired brain injury (ABI) during a car crash when he was in his early 20s. John’s disability affects his memory and ability to recall information. John is also prone to tonic-clonic seizures (seizure type most commonly associated with epilepsy where the person’s body stiffens and their limbs begin to jerk).

John is on medication to control the occurrence of his seizures but when a seizure occurs it usually takes him about two days to recover.

John registered with Accessibility and Learning Support and we assisted him in the following ways:

Planning

  • Disclosing to John’s lecturers (with his permission) how John’s disability impacts his at TAFE
  • Providing John’s lecturers with his Seizure Management Plan so that if he had a seizure in class the lecturer would be aware and know how to respond.

Equipment

  • Providing John with a recording device which he can use to record the audio material delivered in class to assist with memory recall. 

Additional Support

  • John received study support from accessibility and learning support officers help clarify concepts learnt in class, understand and break down assignment questions into manageable tasks and keep on track with his assignment schedule.

Reasonable Adjustment

  • Negotiating with John’s lecturers a reduced study load and modified timetable. Due to the effects of John’s medications he is very drowsy in the mornings so his timetable was modified so that he only had afternoon classes
  • Discussing with John’s lecturers the ability for John to negotiate assignment extensions, especially if he has been unable to study due to a seizure.

Alice is currently completing a Certificate II in Horticulture. She has a learning disability which affects her ability to read and write fluently, short term memory recall and her ability to understand some subject-related terminology.

She also has difficulty planning and maintaining a routine which means she often appears disorganised, her class notes are poor and she finds it difficult to meet deadlines.

Alice registered with Accessibility and Learning Support and we assisted her by:

Planning

  • Disclosing to Alice’s lecturers (with her permission) how Alice’s disability impacts her at TAFE.

Equipment

  • Providing Alice with a recording device which she can use to record the audio material delivered in class to assist with memory recall. 

Additional Support

  • Providing Study Support to help clarify new information, assist with organisation and to help keep on track with her assignment schedule
  • Encouraging Alice to keep a notebook of the terminology she did not understand so that she can revise the information at home and during her study support sessions.

Reasonable Adjustment

  • Arranging for Alice to have more time and to give oral presentations of assessments
  • Alice was required to demonstrate her knowledge of 20 plants by sight, common name and scientific name. Alice’s lecturer arranged for Alice to demonstrate her knowledge weekly (rather than a test of all 20 at the end of term) through oral assessment of the plants and verbally identifying the plants
  • Alice’s lecturer ensured lecture notes were available in advance so that Alice could review the notes prior to class
  • Alice’s lecturer ensured important information, like assessment instructions and due dates, were clearly communicated to the class verbally as well as having the information easily accessible online
  • Alice’s lecturer used a mixture of theory, group discussion and practical activities to help maintain her attention and interest.