For many young people, starting university or TAFE is an exciting milestone. It's the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities to learn, build independence and discover future pathways.
But for students who are blind or have low vision, that next step can come with additional considerations that aren't always obvious.
Beyond choosing a course, students are often navigating unfamiliar campuses, learning new technologies, understanding accessibility processes and adjusting to an environment where they are expected to take greater ownership of their learning and advocate for their own needs.
To support students through this transition, Vision Australia has launched Tertiary Talks, a new six-part podcast series designed to help students prepare for university and TAFE with practical advice, lived experience and real-world strategies.
Each short episode explores an important aspect of tertiary life, including navigating physical and digital learning environments, understanding disability and accessibility supports, developing self-advocacy skills, building independence and hearing directly from recent graduates who have recently completed tertiary education themselves.
What sets Tertiary Talks apart is the range of voices students will hear from throughout the series. Guests include an Associate Professor, Access Technology Specialists, Vision Australia service providers, child and youth experts, parents and recent tertiary graduates, all sharing their unique perspectives and experiences.
Together, they offer practical guidance that goes beyond the classroom and addresses the realities of tertiary life.
The transition from secondary school to tertiary education is about more than academics. It is often a student's first experience of independently managing their time, organising their schedules, communicating with lecturers, navigating support systems and making decisions that shape both their study and everyday life.
While Vision Australia already provides valuable support through their services like occupational therapy, orientation and mobility and assistive technology consultations, Tertiary Talks brings together broader tertiary readiness information in one accessible, student-focused resource.
Most importantly, Tertiary Talks recognises that every student deserves the opportunity to begin tertiary education feeling equipped, informed and supported.
By combining professional expertise with lived experience, the series helps break down what can often feel like a daunting process into practical, achievable steps.
Because success at university or TAFE isn't just about getting accepted into a course. It's about knowing how to navigate a new environment, asking for support when it's needed, building independence and making the most of every opportunity that tertiary education can offer.
With Tertiary Talks, Vision Australia is helping students who are blind or have low vision do exactly that.
Listen to Tertiary Talks on the Vision Australia Radio website or stream it on your preferred podcast platform.
