Tertiary Education for Students with Impairments: A Code of Practice at the Beginning of the Journey

Abstract

In this article we review recent innovations in policies and practice for inclusion of tertiary education students with impairments. During 2006 New Zealand’s first code of practice, Kia Ōrite (Achieve, 2004) was widely available, though it was just beginning to affect practice. This review centres the arrival of the Code in the context of tertiary education access and greater focus in government policy, particularly from the Ministry of Education and the Office of Disability Issues. Discussion of policy and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand is set within wider international policy and research issues. We conclude with a brief discussion of likely future directions.