The University's Disability Information and Support Service team working via Zoom.
Service Manager Melissa Lethaby says these enquiries have mainly come from smaller tertiary institutions, which don't have the same resources as Otago.
“They are interested in how Otago is continuing to operate its services during the current Coronavirus crisis,” she says.
Before the nationwide lockdown began her team emailed the 1,500 Otago students on its books and advised them that they would continue to receive learning support over the weeks ahead.
“I have to take my hat off to all our casual staff, they've been absolutely fantastic not one has said that they can't assist students in an online space,” Melissa says.
"We're all in this together and will do all that we can to support our students. Our team is pretty good at thinking outside the square and we continue to come up with creative solutions to providing quality support."
When Melissa began working at the office as a Student Advisor in 2002 it had around 500 students using its services, but today that number has tripled, and staff resources have only increased slightly.
“Our team is recognised as providing exceptional service for students with disabilities within the field of disability support at Otago and nationally within the tertiary sector.”
She is proud of the way that her team has grouped together to support each other and is operating in these challenging times.
“Shifting away from the physical office to our own homes has been massive as our typical and preferred method of contact with the students is face-to-face.”
She says her team have taken all their technology home (including in many cases screens and work chairs) to be fully operational.
“As a team we've had Zoom lunches, morning teas, and of course Zoom staff meetings. It's a good way to connect with each other, as we all have different home circumstances and we know that connection is one way to enhance wellbeing.”
She says the current crisis has shown the worth of her business continuity plan, which have been heavily drawn upon.
“I have had a big red box sitting in my office for years, which has been in readiness for such an occurrence, and it has come in handy with all sorts of things that we might need.”
Any student with a disability impairment, medical condition or injury that lasts for four weeks or longer can access their services, which are provided at no cost.
“We're encouraging staff and students to take it day by day at the moment. For some, online learning is going really well, but for others not so much. We're all in this together and will do all that we can to support our students. Our team is pretty good at thinking outside the square and we continue to come up with creative solutions to providing quality support.
“Our team has fostered strong relationships around campus, everyone in our team; our note takers, our tutors, our test and exam staff, they are all super important and play such a major role in everything we do.
“So, for us to be able to pick everything up and continue on has been extremely good, but I am looking forward to getting back into the office,” Melissa concluded.