Dear all,

I am a final year law student desperately trying to write her dissertation
on Disability Discrimnation in Higher Eduacation and the impact that Part
IV DDA will have on this.  I know how busy you all are but I was wondering
if you could spare a few minutes to read through these hypothetical case
studies and then quickly type your thoughts/ views/ opinions on how these
cases would be dealt with now, or would be dealt with after the new
legislation comes into force.

Amy is in her second year studying physiotherapy and is diagnosed with
epilepsy.  Her department seeks the advice of occupational health who says
she is not ‘safe’ to go on placements (an element of the course).  Amy’s
consultants think her epilepsy could soon be controlled on medication.  The
school refuses to re-arrange the course structure to allow Amy to continue
studying postponing the placement requirements until her condition is
controlled with medication.  Amy seeks your advice.

James is a dyslexic student who applies to do a degree in English.
Although he meets the course requirements, the university tells him they do
not accept dyslexic students onto English courses.  In the end they agree
to accept him if he passes a literacy test.  No other students are required
to take the test.

Rebecca’s disability has caused her to miss some tutorials.  These
tutorials are compulsory, and the faculty policy is that someone missing
10% of the tutorials will not be admitted to sit the exams.  Rebecca and
several of her peers are told they must re-sit that subject next year.  The
university hopes to justify this treatment by stating that the policy is in
place to act as a deterrent to truancy and to maintain academic standards.
Rebecca seeks your advice.

Neil’s disability requires him to use an electric wheelchair.  He is placed
in specialised residential accommodation on a different campus to where his
course is taught.  He relies on the university to provide transport for him
to attend his lectures.  His driver becomes part time and so Neil is
prevented from attending lectures on Fridays.  As a result Neil fails one
of his courses and is asked to repeat the year.  Neil seeks your advice.
Amy is in her second year studying physiotherapy and is diagnosed with
epilepsy.  Her department seeks the advice of occupational health who says
she is not ‘safe’ to go on placements (an element of the course).  Amy’s
consultants think her epilepsy could soon be controlled on medication.  The
school refuses to re-arrange the course structure to allow Amy to continue
studying postponing the placement requirements until her condition is
controlled with medication.  Amy seeks your advice.

I realise there is a lot of food for thought here, but don't feel obliged
to comment on all aspects, otherwise I fear you might be here all day!  I
would be most grateful for any responses I get.

Thank you so much in advance,

Yours sincerely,

Lindsey Brown