Sensory-friendly orientation for neurodivergent students

_{Disability Services Manager Fiona Gordon led the presentations at the orientation event}

As ākonga (students) prepare to launch into semester two of 2024, Ara Institute of Canterbury has held an orientation event tailored to the needs of neurodivergent learners.

The low-sensory gathering, with reduced lighting, sound and visual distractions was attended last week by around twenty newly enrolled students, whānau and friends at the City campus library.

Students who self-identified with a disability at enrolment, and those who had already registered with Disability Services, received the invitation to meet Ākonga Success kaimahi and connect with their peers.

The idea came from a similar event at Otago Polytechnic and is something that has been front of mind for Ara’s Academic Support team.

“There are an increasing number of learners at Ara who self-identify with a disability,” Ara Academic Support Manager Kevin Brennan said. “Many of those identify as neurodivergent and can feel anxious in new or noisy environments. So, our team is looking at a range of initiatives to meet the needs of these learners and make them feel welcome and included.”

“We’re aware that some learners find their first introduction to Ara City campus overwhelming, and we wanted to find a way to ensure important information was accessible,” he added.

The orientation was held at the library to promote it as a friendly, inclusive space but also for the ease of turning down lighting, reducing distractions and providing comfortable seating. The library is also right alongside the Learning and Disability Services spaces.

Goodie bags at the event were also bespoke, containing extra items like fidget toys, earplugs and a wellbeing book that neurodivergent learners might find helpful.

Fiona Gordon, Ara Disability Services Manager said low-key presentations from a range of Ara support staff were tailored to the cohort. “The timing of the event was organised so that whanau could come along, and we made the most of the library being quiet during term break.”

She said it appeared to have a real impact with attendees with many commenting they’d found staff very helpful and friendly. “One parent of a new learner said that her son, who hadn’t been keen to register with Disability Services, had made an appointment after the session and was aware of where to go for support.”

Ara Library Assistant Bernie Wilson noted how interested and invested the learners had been. “They asked lots of questions afterwards,” he said.

Further programme and student orientation events and welcome whakatau will take place in the coming weeks as ākonga return to various Ara campuses.

But this sensory-friendly meet-up has provided a quieter welcoming environment to promote important services available meet the needs of this key cohort of learners.