Source: University of Otago
Recipients of the 2021 Disability Information and Support Appreciation Awards. Absent: Laura Bingham, Tracy Rogers.
The contributions and support of staff and students were recognised at the Disability Information and Support office’s Appreciation Awards Ceremony last Thursday.
Now in their 11th year, the awards acknowledge and thank individuals who have worked towards the service’s vision of working in partnership to promote an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity, promotes comprehensive academic support and empowers individuals with impairments to achieve their full potential.
“It takes an entire community to support students, particularly students who may be dealing with some pretty challenging situations, it’s great to be able to work collaboratively to ensure students receive good wrap around support.”
The Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) Student Support team were recognised this year for their contributions and partnership with Disability Information and Support.
Disability Information and Support Manager Melissa Lethaby says the two offices work closely together to achieve fair and equitable outcomes for students.
“We work in a similar manner and we trust that students will receive a professional and confidential service from the team at OUSA Student Support when we refer students to them.
“We work in a space where nothing is black and white, there’s always a fair amount of grey and it’s about working collaboratively to ensure our systems can respond when there a student has a situation that falls within the grey.”
During the peak of 2021, Disability Information and Support experienced 45 per cent growth in students accessing its services.
Working in partnership is crucial to ensure students receive adequate support in a timely manner, Ms Lethaby says.
“It takes an entire community to support students, particularly students who may be dealing with some pretty challenging situations, it’s great to be able to work collaboratively to ensure students receive good wrap around support.”
OUSA Student Support Manager Sage Burke says collaboration is critical for Student Support because it encourages a solution-oriented approach and directs a better and deeper understanding for all involved.
“We can achieve so much more for our students and offer greater empowerment when we work together.”
He says his team works with Disability Information and Support to form different pieces of the “puzzle” and when they bring their puzzle pieces together, they can provide a full picture of support for the student.
“Some of the situations students face, just life in general, in reality are complex and multifaceted, our job is to work with that complexity and support the student to navigate it. Part of our role is to be a central point in the package of support available at Otago, to walk alongside them and help to navigate and coordinate what they need.”
The awards also recognise those who do their bit to ensure students have an outstanding experience at Otago.
“A simple acknowledgement can mean so much to people and this has been evident in the many responses we have received from the award recipients,” Ms Lethaby says.
Disability Information and Support’s Appreciation Award recipients 2021
Angela Nguyen (Undergraduate student)
For being an outstanding peer note-taker.
Cat O’Sullivan (External Engagement Division)
For providing exceptional support and guidance to staff and students.
Esther Asamudo (Postgraduate student)
For being an exceptional supervisor for alternative arrangements.
Fairleigh Gilmour (Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology)
For providing exemplary support to students.
Flynn Butler (Graduate student)
For providing first-class tutoring support to students.
Laura Bingham (Graduate student)
For being an outstanding peer note-taker.
Lauren Dewhirst (Undergraduate student)
For a sustained contribution to disabled students and inclusive environments.
OUSA’s Student Support Team (Otago University Students’ Association)
For providing outstanding, timely advice and support to students and staff.
Riette Ferreira (Tutor)
For providing first-class tutoring support to students.
Sheena Townsend (Department of Zoology)
For providing exemplary support to students.
Student Learning Development (Higher Education Development Centre)
For providing outstanding, timely advice and support to students and staff.
