Posted on 24 August 2026
Our LearnersOpen Polytechnic ākonga (learner) Duane Porter can’t speak highly enough of the support he gets from the Disability Access Services team.
“They are an amazing team to work with, and they will talk to you if you have a problem as well. They have helped me a lot,” Duane says.
“I would like to say thanks to the team.”
Duane has accessed counselling and welfare check-ins when needed and found them incredibly helpful.
“If you have a problem and can’t study much, you can book online and talk to someone about what’s happened. They were brilliant,” he exclaims.
The Disability Access Services team has also played a key role in his success. They provided him with assistive technology, including a reader-writer.
“I don’t think I could have done it without that,” he says.
This year, Duane is writing more independently, with support to type and assist with emails to tutors if needed.
Duane was recently featured in the Aspire Community Support publication showing off his certificate.
He is currently studying towards a New Zealand Certificate in Computing (Foundation User) (Level 2) and is embracing the challenge.
Duane enrolled with Open Polytechnic as he wanted to improve his writing skills and build his knowledge.
“It’s a challenge,” he explains, “but I enjoy it. I love to study,” Duane says.
His qualification is split into four modules, each worth 15 credits.
The programme allows students to work at their own pace, which Duane appreciates.
“You don’t have to study every day unless you’ve got an assignment due,” he says.
Duane also has a study tip.
“Study for two hours, then have a break. If you need to study for ten hours, break it up over five days,” he says.
Duane hopes his qualifications will help him gain employment, although he’s still exploring exactly what job he would like to pursue.
For now, he’s focused on completing his course and continuing to grow.
Duane would encourage others to give study a go.
His message to others thinking about studying is simple and encouraging: “If you’re thinking about studying, do it!”