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Disabled students who may struggle with full-time study are required by StudyLink to prove their disability; a ‘disability tax’ where students must be able to fund their diagnoses and have it re-confirmed yearly in order to access student allowances. http://studylink.govt.nz/documents/forms/limited-fulltime-application.pdf
In addition to the barrier of this (often complicated) form, StudyLink have failed to make it accessible in several ways.
1. The form is not interactive and cannot be filled out digitally. Blind & dysgraphic students require assistance in order to hand-write their application.
1. The form is not interactive and cannot be filled out digitally. Blind & dysgraphic students require assistance in order to hand-write their application.
Every year, I have to provide StudyLink with a hand-written statement about my disability (...which includes pain & difficulties with hand-written work).
This process also generally requires students have access to a printer and scanner.
This process also generally requires students have access to a printer and scanner.
2. The PDF form is not 'tagged'. This means that for screen-reader users, the form is not read out in the correct order. The reader also does not know which sections are fields, headers, or body text, and they cannot navigate between sections.
3. StudyLink does not provide this form in alternative accessible formats (such as HTML), which means they fail to meet the 4th requirement of the New Zealand Government Web Accessibility Standard ( https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/design-and-ux/accessibility/accessibility-supported-technologies?rf=1).
Part-time students often can't access benefits such as certain scholarships, reduced bus fares, and last year's COVID-19 supports.
However, part-time study is often required by disabled students, students for whom English is a second language, working students, & single parents.
However, part-time study is often required by disabled students, students for whom English is a second language, working students, & single parents.
If disabled students are required to prove their disability yearly in order to receive only some of the financial aid available to full-time students, StudyLink needs to up their game and, at the very least, meet the minimum accessibility requirements of a government institution.
