Learning accessibility

Experience Personalised Support at ITE’s Learning Accessibility Office (LAO)

At ITE, each college has a special place called the Learning Accessibility Office (LAO). This is where students with Special Education Needs (SEN) get the help they need to succeed in their studies. Our staff work closely with students to make sure they have a well-rounded education. We focus on helping students develop important skills for living independently and finding meaningful jobs after they graduate.

A) Services available

Students with special needs can approach the LAO at their respective Colleges for assistance to access services needed for their learning, such as:

• Course counselling

• Transition support

• Advice on Assistive Technology Devices

• Access to facilities

• Behavioural support

• Provision of appropriate access arrangements during tests and examinations

• Industrial attachment

• Career Counselling

B) Locations of LAOs

• ITE College Central : Student Care @ Central, Block A, Level 3, Unit 08
  How to get here

• ITE College East : Student Care Department, Admin Block, Level 2, A02-02
  How to get here

• ITE College West : Student Care Department, Block 3, Level 6
  How to get here

C) Reach out and get the support you need at ITE

If you have special needs, we encourage you to contact the College Learning Accessibility Office (LAO) when you enrol in an ITE course. This way, we can guide you on the support available to help you succeed. By sharing your learning needs, we can ensure you have the right support from the start. Rest assured, your personal information will be kept private and only shared with your consent, unless required by law or for safety reasons.

It is important to let us know about any special learning needs you have so that we could provide the right services for you and help you make your education journey in ITE smoother and more enjoyable.

D) SEN Fund

The MOE SEN Fund helps students with (1) physical and sensory (i.e. hearing & visual) conditions, (2) learning & language conditions, or (3) social and behavioural conditions to purchase Assistive Technology devices and supporting services. Examples of Assistive Technology devices and support services include the following:

• Alternative keyboards

• Braille displays

• Braille printers / embossers

• Computer pointing devices

• Reading systems

• Text-to-speech devices

• Voice recognition technology

• Word prediction systems

• Note-taking services

• Signing interpretation services

E) Eligibility & how to apply for SEN Fund

To seek assistance for the Assistive Technology devices/services, students with special needs who meet the following criteria can obtain a copy of the application form from their respective College LAO:

• The student must be a Singapore Citizen;

• The student is a full-time student in ITE, or has a confirmed place in ITE; and

• The student must have declared his/her SEN condition(s) to the College, with a statement of diagnosis of condition(s) from relevant medical professionals (such as audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists).

The completed form must be submitted to the College LAO together with a statement of diagnosis by relevant medical professionals. Students with special needs can approach the College LAO to find out more information about the SEN Fund.

F) Getting around in ITE

ITE’s College buildings and infrastructure support the needs of physically-impaired individuals, such as wheelchair users. Examples of barrier-free facilities in ITE Colleges include:

• Access to lifts at every level

• Accessible parking lots for persons with disabilities

• Braille numbers and characters on lift buttons

• Inter-connectivity between buildings that allow for seamless movement

• Washrooms for persons with disabilities

Students with special needs who require additional assistance for access to specific facilities can approach the College LAO to find out more.

G) Special access arrangements during assessments

Special access arrangements may be made for students with special needs to assess their knowledge and skills competence. Such arrangements would allow them to participate in assessments on an equal basis with their peers.

Examples of access arrangements that may be considered include the following:

• Adjustments to assessment settings (e.g. preferential seating)

• Adjustments to assessment timing (e.g. extended time, frequent breaks)

• Adjustments to presentation methods (e.g. large-print, alternative colors)

• Adjustments to response formats (e.g. written, multiple-choice questions)

• Use of Assistive Technology devices

How to apply for special access arrangement

Students with special needs may request for special access arrangements to be made for their assessments. All requests should be supported by relevant documentary evidence such as medical reports, statement of diagnosis, psycho-education assessments from audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists or relevant medical professionals. You may contact your Class Advisor or Manager within the first two weeks of your first semester to seek approval for any special access arrangements required.

H) Contact us

For advice, guidance or enquiries on learning accessibility and support in ITE, please contact the following:

Operating hours are Mon - Fri, 8.30am - 6pm. Closed on weekends and public holidays.

• ITE College Central
  Learning Accessibility Office
  Student Care @ Central
  E-mail: whatsup@ite.edu.sg
  Tel: 8182-7371

• ITE College East
  Learning Accessibility Office
  Student Care Department
  E-mail: ce.studentcare@ite.edu.sg
  Tel: 6544-9287

• ITE College West
  Learning Accessibility Office
  Student Care Department
  E-mail: cw.studentcare@ite.edu.sg
  Tel: 6590-2628

• Enquiries on Learning Accessibility @ ITE
  E-mail: edusupport@ite.edu.sg
  Tel: 6590-2563

I) Related links