Student experience workstream

Workstream one of the Disability Action Plan focuses on Student Experience. The Associate Director, Student Success and Wellbeing in Student and Scholarly Services is responsible for this workstream.

Below are the strategic focus areas for this workstream, along with a summary of key deliverables as at June 2026.

Please email all feedback and suggestions to Vicki Watson, Manager – Equity.  

Completed:

• Coordinated the roll-out of Hidden Disabilities staff training in collaboration with Workstream 3.
• Ran a collaborative event with Auckland University Disabled Students Association (AUDSA) to promote disability support at the University.

In progress:

• Establish a Community of Interest to bring together staff in Faculty Disability Liaison roles.
• Develop a resource for parents of future and new students with disabilities.
  

Upcoming:

• SDS to deliver online operational training for roles identified to have a function relating to supporting students with disabilities by the end of 2027.

Completed:

• Improved the user experience of Symplicity Access, the University’s disability case management system.
  • Test room booking feature for students improved.
  • The faculty portal now shows adjustment descriptions.
• Anonymous disabled student survey with a two-year cycle established to assess disability support services and identify areas for improvement.
• A biannual reporting system has been developed to track disability service access by TEC priority learner groups.

In progress:

• Further enhancements to improve user experience of Symplicity Access
  • Scoping options to auto-renew and auto-approve students' reasonable adjustments each semester.
  • Continuing discussion about Inclusive Learning using Symplicity Access
  • Automation of additional time to Canvas quizzes.
• Preparing a summary report of the 2025 anonymous disabled student survey.
• Consulting with key stakeholders, including students with disabilities, about the survey responses and report.
  

Completed:

• Investigated existing mentorship programmes at the University with a view to establishing a mentorship programme for students with
  disabilities.

In progress:

• SDS is supporting Auckland University Disabled Students Association (AUDSA) to acquire permanent rooms for students with disabilities on campus.
• Update Inclusive Learning of Students with Impairments Guidelines.
• Scope options to make tutorials more accessible for students with disabilities who are unable to attend on occasions due to their impairment(s). 

Completed:

• SDS and Career Development and Employability Services (CDES) scoped disability training opportunities for CDES.
• Ran a joint CDES/AUDSA career event for students with disabilities.
• Employment opportunities through Whaikaha for students with disabilities identified and advertised to students.
• Scholarships and awards for students with disabilities available and promoted.

In progress:

• CDES team undertaking Hidden Disabilities and Disability Confidence 101 training. 
• Requirements for the University to be able to gather and analyse data on the transition of students with disabilities into meaningful employment are being identified.