WELLINGTON: A groundbreaking university diploma promises to shatter educational barriers that have excluded people with intellectual disability from tertiary education for decades.

Catherine Babie always dreamt of following in her parents footsteps and attending university.

But as a person living with an intellectual disability, Ms Babie faced many barriers to tertiary education.

“A lot of universities aren’t very accessible for someone like me with a support person,” the 21-year-old said.

“I find noisy and bright environments very difficult.”

Now Ms Babie has the opportunity to follow her dreams thanks to an Australian-first diploma offered by Flinders University in South Australia designed for people living with an intellectual disability.

“Flinders University has been very helpful in providing me with support for these challenges and I am looking forward to getting my diploma,” Ms Babie said.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to do this diploma in an accessible way.”

The Diploma of Employment Pathways will launch this year under a pilot program for 20 students.

The diploma builds on Flinders University’s Up the Hill Project which has supported people with an intellectual disability to participate in university life for 26 years.

Now those students will have access to the same university experience as others while also completing a qualification.

Senior lecturer Dr Fiona Rillotta said the initiative is an Australian first.

“This is Australia’s first university diploma designed specifically for people with intellectual disability,” Dr Rillotta said.

“It will provide solid employment pathways, not just helping students get a job, but supporting them to build a career.

“Lifelong learning and access to education are human rights, and everyone should be afforded the opportunity to continue their post-school education.

“Through this diploma, we’re showing that people with intellectual disability can succeed at university and contribute their skills and perspectives in the workforce.”

Dr Rillotta said the diploma would be delivered by highly trained staff who can make university accessible to those living with an intellectual disability.

“We are training staff across the university and building resources for people to use and giving examples and ideas on how to modify assessments so the students can show their understanding in a way that works for them,” she said.

“It’s about working in partnership with the students.

“Because that will benefit everyone, not just the students in the diploma, when staff are teaching in a more inclusive way.”

Dr Rillotta said there had been much interest for the diploma in South Australia and she hoped the initiative would spread across the country.