Awards acknowledge inclusivity efforts

The mahi of many towards a collective vision of inclusivity for Otago was celebrated at the recent Appreciation Awards.

Fourteen awards acknowledged individuals and teams across the University, recognising the partnerships, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to providing support to tauira with disabilities to help them succeed.

The recipients are:

• Amber Robertson (Hayward College) - For providing unwavering support, resourcefulness and commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible environments.
• Ann Hassan - For providing first-class tutoring support to students.
• Beam Aschakulporn (Department of Accountancy and Finance) - For providing exemplary support to students.
• Brooke Harrison - For being an outstanding peer note-taker.
• Career Development Centre Team - For creating a warm, welcoming environment where Kerry feels valued, supported, and truly part of the community.
• Claire Matthewson - For being an exceptional supervisor for alternative arrangements for a sustained period.
• Gareth Treharne (Department of Psychology) - For providing outstanding support and advice to students and staff.
• Gillian Wong - For being an exceptional supervisor for alternative arrangements.
• Helen Nicholson (Department of Anatomy) - In recognition of being dedicated to championing student voice, fostering diversity and creating an inclusive learning environment that empowers the entire university community.
• Lynnaire Sheridan (Department of Management) - For providing exemplary and empathetic support to students.
• Maddie Schnackenberg - For being an outstanding peer note-taker.
• Mike Young - For being an exceptional supervisor for alternative arrangements for over 10 years.
• Shanmugapriya Aravazhi - For providing first-class tutoring support to students.
• Yong Chien Zheng (School of Surveying) - For providing exemplary support to students.

Disability Information and Support (DI&S) Manager Melissa Lethaby said it was a privilege to celebrate the incredible contributions of those who have worked alongside DI&S to make a real difference in the lives of Otago’s tauira and the broader University community.

“Whether they’ve been a champion of inclusive teaching, an advocate for accessibility, or a behind-the-scenes problem solver, their efforts have touched the lives of many, many students.

“Their mahi has paved the way for greater equity and has certainly shown what’s possible when we combine compassion with action.”

Among those recognised was Hayward College Warden Tautiaki Amber Robertson.

Amber was acknowledged for her unwavering support, resourcefulness and commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible environments.

Amber has never hesitated to help and is a true advocate for creating accessible environments, Melissa says.

“Amber has been an outstandingly supportive Head of Hayward College, consistently approaching challenges with a can-do attitude.

“She has been resourceful and instrumental in assisting DI&S in supporting many students and this year, going above and beyond to support a young woman with a unique set of needs, ensuring a smooth transition to an environment that was modified to meet her specific needs.”

Amber says Hayward College prides itself on giving manaaki.

“We operate under a servant leadership model so tauira guide us in how they like to be supported. Knowing what’s important to them is the first step, and we then set about our pastoral supports ensuring we are also aligned with policy and good practice.

“Our mahi aims to ensure tauira have equity, and alongside us having a duty of care, our tauira are also our customers and deserve to have their expectations met.”

To achieve this, the Hayward team is guided by the Te Whare Tapa Whā ethos, Amber says.

Te Whare Tapa Whā outlines the four cornerstones of Māori wellbeing, taha hinengaro, mental and emotional wellbeing, taha whānau, social wellbeing, taha tinana, physical wellbeing, and taha wairua, spiritual wellbeing.

“It is a holistic way to support health and wellbeing and very effective for both tauira and kaimahi. The beauty of this is the focus on finding balance, and that this balance can flex with each individual’s hauora, depending on their needs and aspirations, and stage of their journey.

“Te Whare Tapa Whā does not define a person by their disability, it reinforces that we all have strengths, and it guides the path for reaching an individual’s full potential.

“In embracing this ethos, I believe we can provide the best wrap around support to enhance the wellbeing of tauira on their unique journey.”

The Hayward team was just some of the many other people who helped with their mahi, Amber says.

“I would like to acknowledge the various teams at DI&S, Health & Safety, Property Services, ACC, Royal District Nursing Service, Occupational Therapists and the care support team. Everybody shared their expertise for the benefit of tauira.”

Some of the changes at Hayward included installing alarms, creating bespoke evacuation procedures, privacy curtains, accessible workstations, and more.

“We even bent a few of our dining rules to accommodate food preferences and other social needs in the aim of increased wellbeing.

“We worked closely with DI&S to get the Hayward carpark restoration funded, so we can now proudly say we are fully compliant. This was a win for everybody involved and a great example of how many hands make light work.”

Amber is all praise for the DI&S team, calling them “down to earth and practical”.

“What really impressed me was their unconditional support of our tauira, where they inherently understood the importance of tauira voice.

“They tirelessly supported and advocated to make every accommodation possible, to better serve our tauira’s needs.

“I enjoyed working with them, particularly thinking outside the box, to find solutions to some tricky barriers we found. They’re super easy to work with and also have a neat sense of humour.”