Embarking on life as a university student is stressful enough without dealing with a disability. That’s why UQ Ipswich recently held “Tertiary Taste”, an orientation session for high school students with disabilities.
UQ-Link Manager Deborah McLachlan said the Tertiary Taste, which was run in conjunction with USQ Springfield campus and Bremer TAFE on May 23, provided information about transitioning from school to higher education..
The eight students who attended the information session hailed from Bremer State High School, St Mary’s College and St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, and had a range of disabilities, including vision and hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, attention deficit disorder and autistic spectrum disorder.
Ms McLachlan said the Tertiary Taste aimed to encourage students and their parents to consider higher education. Information was provided on travelling to campus, moving around the campus, reasonable adjustments, using the library, assessment considerations, industry placement and confidentiality.
Nicholas Nielsen, who is in Year 12 at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, and has a vision impairment, said the Tertiary Taste showed him that UQ Ipswich would accommodate his needs.
“I was definitely nervous about uni, but yeah, the Tertiary Taste day gave a great insight to the atmosphere of the campus and an understanding of how to go about life there,” Mr Nielsen said.
He said his daily life had already taught him that his disability could be managed.
“You just develop methods of getting around with what sight you have,” Mr Nielsen said.
“I use a laptop to do most of my school work which has a program on it called ZoomText and I use binoculars to see the board in class and ridiculously big magnifying glasses.”
Year 11 St Mary’s College student Tara Heffernan, who also has a vision impairment, agreed that the Tertiary Taste had made her feel that university was an achievable goal in spite of her disability.
“The biggest concern I had about going to uni was that I would be alone,” Miss Heffernan said.
“When I found out that both TAFE and UQ have resources and make accommodations for people with disabilities, I felt much more comfortable with the idea of uni, especially knowing I didn’t have to do it alone and I would always have support.”
Mr Nielsen said he was considering a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies at UQ Ipswich and Miss Heffernan is looking forward to indulging her interest in the Visual Arts.
Media: Deborah McLachlan (0421 701 162) or Tegan Taylor at UQ Communications (07 3365 2339)
