Hi Esme
This is an incredibly important point, but I for one have really struggled
to get students meeting together. Of course, that was inside one University
and your idea of linking up to other students in other universities is a
good one. In the Deaf world this happens organically where deaf people are
likely to know each other through being part of that community. I have seen
deaf students here networking without any encouragement at all, it's great,
and necessary for their survival in this hearing and chiefly non disabled
institution.
Now we have more and more students accessing email and websites it might be
a good time to try and promote this as a way of students virtually meeting,
but it would need to be in a safe forum where they could speak freely about
all things without support staff watching!
I've noticed that this list is now billed as 'discussion list for disabled
students and their support staff' which is interesting as it has always been
a virtual staff room for disability officers etc... I don't get the feeling
there are a lot of students on this list, perhaps I am wrong?
Esme, how about starting an egroup where we can refer our students to ?
Strictly for students only ?
Contact me off list if you want to pursue this.
Chris Baxter
-----Original Message-----
From: Seven-of-nine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2001 12:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Student self-help groups
Students need support. Disabled students can find themselves feeling very
isolated and low at times, and it would be nice to be able to communicate
with other people studying the same subjects and in the same boat. I have
tried very hard to find other VI people studying maths/science, to no avail.
I can't be the only one on the planet! Now it is people like you
professionals who know where students are, what their disabilities are and
what subjects they are studying. This information must be collated by
someone. Would it be so hard to ask students when they sign up whether they
would like to communicate? Lists could be circulated through the
universities I am sure. Self-help groups are common, most courses have them.
I would have thought that the RNIB and other organizations would have done
this years ago. I'd do it myself if I knew how, but I don't have access to
that kind of information. If we could get together, we could start to change
things where they need changing and get some support when we need it.
Esme
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