Transition to Tertiary Education or Work

Students with special education needs may receive support from their school or the Ministry of Education, Special Education (GSE) up until the time they leave secondary school.

Transition from school to work, training or other activities

The Transitions website offers support and advice for everyone involved in guiding young people with special and diverse needs through their particular transition process. The website includes links to possible sources of financial support.

Transition from school to tertiary education

The government's Tertiary Education Strategy talks about equity of access and opportunity for all students. One of the Strategy's objectives is that increasing numbers of people with impairments should be acquiring skills and qualifications.

Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) are expected by government to ensure equity of access and opportunity for people with disabilities and to provide the support these students require for full participation. In order to access government funding, TEOs must work towards meeting government objectives outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy.

Kia orite, Achieving equity: The New Zealand code of practice for an inclusive tertiary education environment for students with impairment is designed to assist tertiary education providers to work towards equity of access and opportunity for their students with impairments.

The Tertiary Education Commission administers funding for students who go on to tertiary education. Their website includes information on the following two grants that relate to students with impairments:

• Special Supplementary Grant: Tertiary Students with Disabilities - Tertiary education institutions can apply for this grant to provide for the needs of the small proportion of tertiary students with disabilities who have high-cost support needs.
• Special Education Special Supplementary Grant - A grant for tutorial staff to work with disabled students on a one-to-one basis to promote the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

For further information

Most New Zealand tertiary institutes provide assistance for students with disabilities. This can include accessibility maps, note taking, sign language interpreters, audio aids, etc.

The Weka website provided by Enable New Zealand and the New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres includes links to tertiary institutions and information on the their disability services.