As per Tertiary Education Commission requirements, EIT has a Disability Action Plan, with ongoing monitoring of its implementation and areas for improvement.

On this page we share information on

• progress we have made on the 2024 to 2026 DAP
• our 2027-2029 DAP

The Executive Director Student and Academic Services is responsible for EIT’s DAP, supported by the Student Support Services Managers at each campus.

You can contact Sonya Aifai (saifai@eit.ac.nz) (Student Support Services Manager Hawkes Bay) if you have any questions about the DAP.

Download EIT’s Disability Action Plan 2027-2029 here

Progress on 2024-2026 Disability Action Plan

View an accessible summary here.

Across all the objectives in EIT’s 2024-2026 DAP, key strengths include

• strong systems (record‑keeping, planning, and reporting),
• increased engagement (students and staff), and
• growing integration of inclusive practices.

Common development themes centre on

• embedding consistency,
• re‑establishing external connections,
• addressing capacity constraints, and
• moving from planning to full implementation, particularly in physical accessibility, peer support, and sector collaboration.

Objective 1 – Strong partnerships with disabled ākonga

Successes

• Consistent use of engagement letters with well‑maintained, secure records supporting continuity and accountability.
• Regular disability support hui with increased participation and enriched content through guest speakers.
• Effective use of LMS to record meeting outcomes and share information.
• Integration of community service providers into hui, strengthening external support networks.
• Active collection and communication of student feedback on facilities to inform continuous improvement.

Areas for Development

• Re‑establish national‑level collaboration following sector changes.

Objective 2 – Building disability confidence

Successes

• Delivery of structured, compulsory staff training on disability as part of induction and as refresher.
• Expanded above training to a full-day workshop including focus on equity and Pastoral Care Code of Practice.
• Strong attendance tracking ensuring accountability.
• Targeted workshops (e.g., neurodiversity, ADHD) to improve staff capability.
• Ongoing updating of training resources to maintain relevance.

Areas for Development

• Develop a systematic approach to gathering attendee feedback to inform continuous refresh of training to optimise relevance.
• Address capacity constraints impacting delivery of planned initiatives.
• Gather attendee feedback to inform

Objective 3 – Equitable learning support

Successes

• Te Pae Hono (new student support hub at the heart of the Taradale campus) provides inclusive, accessible spaces for private and dignified support, evidenced by a learner survey and anecdotal staff input.
• ‘Have Your Say’ learner feedback channel has been embedded in Orientation, increasing early engagement.
• Improved student onboarding practices have created clearer, more consistent pathways for learners to access support.
• Comprehensive, regularly reviewed individual learner support plans aligned with Te Whare Tapa Whā, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Pastoral Care Code of Practice.

Areas for Development

• Ensure consistent implementation and monitoring of new onboarding processes.
• Develop a systematic approach to gathering learner feedback to inform continuous improvement in the services and use of the space.
• Refresh Tairāwhiti student support hub along the lines of Te Pae Hono to increase learner engagement with services and improve learner experience.

Objective 4 – Accessible digital platforms and communication

Successes

• Dedicated digital team supporting a Community of Practice with quarterly reviews.
• Accessibility embedded in design of all ākonga communications.
• Routine accessibility screening of materials from across the organisation by Disability Support team improves practice and consistency.

Areas for Development

• Maintain momentum to ensure accessibility improvements are sustained and embedded over time.

Objective 5 – Data collection and monitoring

Successes

• Continued reporting via Artena ensuring no disruption as the change to Wisenet gets closer.
• Enhanced reporting formats to assist forward‑focused planning and clearer next steps.

Areas for Development

• Strengthen alignment between data insights and sustained system‑wide improvements – data-informed decision-making and practices are the goal.

Objective 6 – Support for learners with anxiety and mental distress

Successes

• Proactive annual workshop planning informed by trends and needs observed or reported by student support and teaching staff.
• Flexible delivery of additional workshops as required.
• Strong engagement with community mental health services through expos and orientations.
• Delivery of both school‑specific and organisation‑wide training building shared capability to support learner wellbeing.

Areas for Development

• Develop peer support and mentoring initiatives to enhance learner engagement through relational and whakawhānaungatanga‑based models sharing lived experience.

Objective 7 – Accessible physical environment

Successes

• Recognition of the need for a physical accessibility audit by an external provider.

Areas for Development

• Develop a full proposal for ELT consideration for the commissioning of a physical accessibility audit.
• Develop a comprehensive physical accessibility roadmap.
• Establish a dedicated Physical Environment team to drive coordinated action.

Objective 8 – Reducing financial hardship barriers

Successes

• Successful delivery and review of a small hardship fund, with strong governance by and reporting to ELT.
• Increased awareness and uptake of John Harre Award (assists a learner with a disability in the transition from study at EIT).

Areas for Development

• Continue evolving and evaluating hardship funding processes to ensure sustainability, equity, and responsiveness to emerging needs.

Objective 9 – Pathways to employment

Successes

• Ongoing liaison between work brokers and employers supporting transition to employment.
• Reliable recording of employment‑related information ensuring accountability and continuity.

Areas for Development

• Strengthen monitoring of employment outcomes to refine partnerships and expand opportunities.