Disability Information and Support has a dedicated team of staff who are passionate about providing quality support.
Management Team
Melissa Lethaby
BA (Otago)
Manager
Melissa joined the team at Disability Information and Support in 2002. In her role as Manager, Melissa is responsible for facilitating an environment where students with impairments are provided with equitable opportunities to achieve their individual capabilities and participate in all aspects of tertiary education life.
In addition, Melissa is the Co-President of ACHIEVE, which is a national network, established to ensure equal opportunity and access to post-secondary education and training for people with impairments.
Tel +64 3 479 8549
Email melissa.lethaby@otago.ac.nz
Emma Holt
BA, DipTour, MCom (Otago)
Learning Support Manager
Emma has been seconded full time to the position of Learning Support Manager at Disability Information and Support for 2025.
Emma brings to this role almost 20 years of experience working as a Student Advisor in the office and supporting students experiencing challenges with their studies. As Learning Support Manager, Emma is committed to leading the Learning Support team to ensure that students with impairments receive first-class academic support that promotes their wellbeing and enhances their university experience.
Tel +64 3 479 4004
Email emma.holt@otago.ac.nz
Learning Support Team
Rachel 'Aluesi
Student Advisor
Rachel has been part of the Disability Information and Support team since 2012. Her role as Test/Exam Co-ordinator contributed to the retention and success of students with impairments studying at the University of Otago and was a point of inspiration for her decision to become a Student Advisor in 2020.
Rachel enjoys working with students to enable them to achieve their academic goals and reach their full potential.
Tel +64 3 479 8320
Email rachel.aluesi@otago.ac.nz
Emily Chatfield
BA, PgDip, MA (Otago)
Student Advisor
Emily joined Disability Information and Support in 2020 as a Student Advisor. As a former University of Otago student, she knows and understands some of the challenges that students can face.
In her role as Student Advisor, she assists students by finding ways to improve their learning experience.
Having conducted research and volunteered in the field of mental health, she is passionate about improving student wellbeing.
Tel +64 3 479 4370
Email emily.chatfield@otago.ac.nz
Rebecca McFadyen
Student Advisor
Rebecca first joined the team at Disability Information and Support in 2012 as a Note-Taker Administrator. After seeing first-hand how a little academic support can go a long way to help students with impairments thrive in the university environment, Rebecca was inspired to work as a Student Advisor.
Rebecca is passionate about providing support to enable students to achieve their academic goals.
Tel +64 3 479 8245
Email rebecca.mcfadyen@otago.ac.nz
Margaret Wright
LLB BA GradDipTchg (Sec)
Student Advisor
Margaret joined Disability Information and Support in 2017 as an exam/test supervisor, transitioning to a Student Advisor in 2023. Having previously studied at the University of Otago, she understands the challenges students face whilst developing their passion and achieving their goals.
With her background in secondary teaching and boarding, Margaret understands the importance of having the right supports in place to navigate life, grow independently, and thrive academically. She is motivated by past students’ successes to help other students achieve.
Julie Black
Test/Exams Co-ordinator
Julie started working for Disability Information and Support as an Administrator in May 2019 and in 2021, she joined the Learning Support team.
In her current role as Test/Exams Co-ordinator, Julie co-ordinates alternative arrangements for tests and examinations for students who have difficulty sitting tests or exams under normal circumstances. This includes liaising with University departments and working with a team of test/exam supervisors.
Julie enjoyed supporting students from a front office position and now, as a member of the learning support team, she takes great satisfaction in continuing to support students to reach their full potential.
Tel +64 3 479 8160
Email julie.black@otago.ac.nz
Ali Charlton
Tutor Co-ordinator
Ali joined Disability Information and Support in 2012 as Tutor Co-ordinator on a temporary basis and took up the role permanently in 2014.
Working within the Learning Support Team, her role is to co-ordinate a professional tutorial service for students with impairments.
Ali enjoys working closely with a team of around 200 tutors to ensure students receive the tutoring support necessary to help them achieve their academic goals.
Tel +64 3 471 6212
Email ali.charlton@otago.ac.nz
Toni Patterson-Gallagher
Note-taker Co-ordinator
Toni joined Disability Information and Support in 2012 and works within the Learning Support Team. In her role as Note-taker Co-ordinator, she co-ordinates a professional note-taking service for students with impairments.
Toni enjoys collaborating with a wide range of people, working closely with University departments and a large team of student notetakers, to ensure students receive the notes they need to succeed academically. Toni is passionate about supporting students, enabling them to reach their full academic potential.
Tel +64 3 479 9785
Email toni.patterson-gallagher@otago.ac.nz
Kelly Phillips
Learning Support Co-ordinator
Kelly joined the team at Disability Information and Support in March 2024. In her role as Learning Support Co-ordinator, Kelly contributes to the success of students with impairments by working collaboratively with the Test/Exams and Tutor Co-ordinators. This includes liaising with University departments and working with tutors and test/exam supervisors.
Tel +64 3 556 5473
Email kelly.phillips@otago.ac.nz
Administration Team
Our Administration team are responsible for providing effective administration support to Disability Information and Support staff and is the first point of contact for students, staff and visitors to our service.
Kelly Alexander
Administrator
Tel +64 3 479 8235
Email disabilities@otago.ac.nz
Maria Apii
Administrator
Tel +64 3 479 8235
Email disabilities@otago.ac.nz
Kerry Twemlow
Administrative Assistant
Tel +64 3 479 8235
Email disabilities@otago.ac.nz
In addition to our staff listed above, we have a large and enthusiastic team of support people who provide specialist support.
Departmental Disability Contacts
The University of Otago has a network of disability contacts within departments, colleges and services. Departmental Disability Contacts provide an important link between students, their department and the Disability Information and Support office.
To find out who your Departmental Disability Contact is please contact the Disability Information and Support office.
Email disabilities@otago.ac.nz
Related Info
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