About
Who is Achieve for?
Achieve advocates and lobbies for people with a range of impairments who are transitioning into or studying in post-secondary education or training. For example; at a university, polytechnic, private training establishment, wananga or college of education.
Anyone with an interest in post-secondary education and training for people with impairments can join. Corporate and individual membership is available.
Achieve's membership may include:
- Students with impairments, the Deaf community, their families and support networks.
- Polytechnics, colleges of education, universities, wananga, private training establishments and other training providers.
- Disability support staff and other professionals supporting students with impairments in post-secondary education and training.
- Students Association.
- Service providers and organisations in the disability community.
What does Achieve provide?
- A coordinated national effort in securing quality educational opportunities for students with impairments in post-secondary education and training.
- Opportunities for members to network, support and learn from each other.
- Monitoring of equal education policies developed by Government, the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Commission and post-secondary institutions, that impact on students with impairments.
- Liaison with groups and bodies who have similar interests.
- Advice, support and information.
Achieve promotes:
- A commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.
- Public and professional debate on equal opportunity policies and practices.
- Sharing of initiatives through research, publications and conferences.
- Cooperation to ensure smooth transition for students with impairments.
- Staff development for those supporting students with impairments.
- Monitoring of services and support for students with impairments.
- Best practice models for those providing services for students with impairments.
- An environment where students with impairments can ACHIEVE their best possible academic outcome.
What are Achieve's achievements?
- Achieve has played a key role in securing funding for supporting students with impairments in post-secondary education and training - most notably, the Special Supplementary Grant: Tertiary Students with Disabilities.
- Fostered the development of a number of networks for students with impairments.
- Advocated for, supported and played an active part in National Conferences and Gatherings for students with impairments and disability support services staff at polytechnics, colleges of education and universities.
- Developed written information to encourage best practice and networking - Kia Ōrite Achieving Equity.
Associated Bodies/Sponsors
National Executive Committee
Melissa Lethaby
University of Otago
President
Jo Hodge
Victoria University of Wellington
Vice-President
Sabrina Sharma-Pillay
Manukau Institute of Technology
Polytech Representative
Jackie Fox
University of Otago
University Representative
Olena Smyth
University of Waikato
Student Representative
Alice Mander
Victoria University of Wellington
Student Representative
Interested in learning more?
Feel free to send us a message if you have any questions about membership, sponsorship, or anything else!
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