Transition from secondary schooling to post-compulsory education can be a daunting yet exciting experience. You are leaving your peers, support at school and have the responsibility of making decisions for yourself, choosing a course to study, selecting the most appropriate educational institution, organising your time effectively, managing your study / work / social life, coping with a significantly different learning environment and generally making a significant transition from school to further education

We have provided links to websites that explore these issues in-depth:

Navigating TAFE:  A Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students is an interactive DVD produced by the Centre of Excellence at NMIT for Students at who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  It is a guide to studying at TAFE in Victoria and is told through real life stories from deaf and hard of hearing students. It also includes information for teachers and discusses the personal experinece of a TAFE teacher who has a deaf student in class.

Some general informational on making the move from School to TAFE can be found at the following links:

Reach Out
Website

Year 12 What Next
Website

Youth Central
Website

Parents

The transition period can also be an anxious time for parents. Click on the links below to find out how parents can help their children find ‘their place’ in tertiary education. Both websites provide comprehensive information and we encourage you to visit them.

Monash University – Transition Program
Parents & Partners
Website

The role of the Disability Liaison Officer (DLO)

Within each TAFE, there are Disability Liaison Officers (DLO’s) to assist you with coordinating support for your academic activities. This person may also be known as an Access Officer, Equity Officer or Disability Advisor but DLO is the most common. 

What can you do now?

It is very important to be prepared for TAFE. Once you have received a formal offer from an institute it is important to think ahead and find out what will be expected from you. We encourage you to make contact with the Disability Liaison Unit well in advance of TAFE commencing. You could contact your first two preferences on your VTAC form in December for example. If not, do it as soon as you receive an offer from VTAC in mid-January. This will help you understand procedures for services the DLO can provide as there will be slight variations among universities and TAFE institutes. Bring along some documentation for the DLO that outlines how your disability or medical condition impacts on your learning and what needs you have. If you are unsure what DLOs will be expecting, visit the institute’s Disability Services webpage and look at documentation requirements. If this is unavailable on the website, contact the DLO for further information. For all TAFE disability contact details, click here.

If you require the use of adaptive technologies, for example, JAWS, Zoomtext, Dragon Naturally Speaking, it is a good idea to learn how it works prior to TAFE starting. If you don’t have the finances to purchase software or equipment, research ways to source funding. Check out our scholarships information page for some ideas on funding and equity scholarships for which you may be eligible to apply.

At and after enrolment

• The DLO may be able to assist you with enrolment procedures.
• Take advantage of any transition or orientation activities that the TAFE or DLU conducts.
• You may like to ask the DLO about the possibility of being linked up with a second or third year student who could act as a mentor for you.

Useful reminders…

• The DLO is primarily concerned with your academic needs. There are a range of other staff in TAFE who can assist you with other needs. For example:
  • Personal counselling
  • Careers and employment information
  • Housing advice
  • Financial assistance
  • Health services
• You are now entering an adult learning environment in which a greater level of independence is required and expected of you. The DLO will not check if you have handed assignments in or if you are attending classes – neither will your teaching staff. You are expected to be an independent learner and have your own reading, writing and research tools. Learning Skills Units may be able to assist you with these needs.
• It’s a good idea to meet with your teaching staff at the beginning of the year and keep in touch with them; if you feel comfortable to. Your DLO may liaise with your teachers on your behalf to assist in a smoother transition. Be reassured that all information you provide to the DLO is kept confidential. Nothing is passed onto teaching or administrative staff unless you have given written consent.
• If you are experiencing any form of anxiety or are unsure about things, ask someone! Your DLO and teachers are there to support you – they want you to do well in your studies. What suits one person does not always suit another.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National Disability Coordination Officer Program. The views expressed in these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.