The Disability Action Plan, launched this week, outlines a host of goals to ensure the university becomes a more equitable institution.
The goals include creating a "barrier-free learning environment for information, communication and physical access", increasing support for disabled students and raising pass rates for disabled students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.
University alumni Sean Prenter, who helped design the plan, said it was an important step in the right direction.
"Students were involved early, our voices were valued and actually actively shaped the plan."
During his first year at the University of Otago, Mr Prenter had an accident which resulted in a traumatic brain injury, creating physical and mental challenges towards his study.
"While I was struggling with the evolving nature of my disability, the prospect of coming on to campus was itself a challenge."
The aid he received from the disability support services helped "fulfil his academic potential" and eventually he graduated with a bachelor of applied science degree in 2023.
"It’s my understanding Otago was the first to found a disability support service in New Zealand, and so with that you have the strength of those voices continuing to come through.
"It’s about standing on the shoulders of giants and carrying that bus on forward, so it’s really exciting to see the torch still lit and moving forward."
He hoped the plan would lead to a major "culture shift" in how disability issues were viewed and treated at the university.
Vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said the announcement of the plan was a historic occasion.
"We want to make sure Otago is a place where all students feel a sense of belonging, are respected, valued, and able to reach their full potential."
Disability information and support manager Melissa Lethaby said 10% of Otago students had declared a disability which impacted on their ability to study.
"That number has been steadily tracking upwards over time, so the need to further strengthen and expand our proactive approach to disability support has never been greater."
