Carly Austin (she/her)
Accessibility Coordinator

Organisation unit

Student Experience and Success Student Success Specialist Student Support

Location

Adelaide University

About me

I bring lived experience of disability, deep knowledge of assistive technology, and a strong understanding of how universities and academics work. With over 20 years’ experience across higher education, I have supported students, academics, and professional staff in a wide range of contexts. This background informs a practical, grounded approach to accessibility that focuses on what is realistic, sustainable, and workable within the university environment.

Having studied at university with a disability myself, I understand how assessment design, deadlines, and academic expectations interact with disability over time. I am attentive to factors such as processing speed, fatigue, pressure, and cumulative workload, not just individual tasks or assessments. This perspective allows me to look beyond the short term and consider what will support students across a semester and over the course of their studies.

I am a subject matter expert in digital access and assistive technology and work with students to identify tools and strategies that align with how they study. My approach is task-focused and practical, with an emphasis on solutions that integrate into everyday study without adding unnecessary complexity. I work closely with service providers and technology partners, which allows me to stay connected to emerging practice and contribute informed feedback that supports effective implementation of accessible technologies.

Through long-standing work with academics, I have a strong understanding of academic workloads, assessment pressures, and institutional constraints. I use this understanding when shaping advice and support options, with the aim of ensuring arrangements translate smoothly into courses and are clear and workable for both students and teaching staff. I value collaborative, respectful relationships and frame support in ways that align with academic practice and institutional requirements.

I take time to understand the full context of a student’s situation, hold that information, and work through options step by step. My aim is to reduce the effort students need to spend navigating processes or explaining their circumstances, and to support clear, confident next steps through calm, structured, and student-centred practice.
I bring lived experience of disability, deep knowledge of assistive technology, and a strong understanding of how universities and academics work. With over 20 years’ experience across higher education, I have supported students, academics, and professional staff in a wide range of contexts. This background informs a practical, grounded approach to accessibility that focuses on what is realistic, sustainable, and workable within the university environment. Having studied at university with a disability myself, I understand how assessment design, deadlines, and academic expectations interact with disability over time. I am attentive to factors such as processing speed, fatigue, pressure, and cumulative workload, not just individual tasks or assessments. This perspective allows me to look beyond the short term and consider what will support students across a semester and over the course of their studies. I am a subject matter expert in digital access and assistive technology and work with students to identify tools and strategies that align with how they study. My approach is task-focused and practical, with an emphasis on solutions that integrate into everyday study without adding unnecessary complexity. I work closely with service providers and technology partners, which allows me to stay connected to emerging practice and contribute informed feedback that supports effective implementation of accessible technologies. Through long-standing work with academics, I have a stro...
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Last updated on 04/02/2026 by Carly Austin