All true. But perhaps the issue raises the question as to how
much liaison there is between academic tutors and disability
support staff. The disability officer may consider a particular range
of support to be appropriate but the course organiser may have
other opinions as they consider the wider aspects of the course
and its expected outcomes. A student studying on a Legal
Practice Course, for example, is training to be a solicitor who
would be charging clients by the hour. Extra time may be
appropriate and agreed by all parties, but there has to be a
balance. At the risk of sounding facetious, once in employment
they can't charge more or take twice as long to do a job because
they have special educational needs.
On 25 Jan 02, at 19:08, Margaret Herrington wrote:
> Hi Claire
> just a few suggestions
> 1. the managing of these support workers is a very important transferable skill. I am unhappy with the interpretation by some staff that the student is relatively passive at the heart of a network of support workers.This is completely untrue in my experience. Perhaps we need to make this
managerial function explicit to staff.
> 2. the problem solving involved in handling educational and other institutions is another key transferable skill.
> 3. the university degree setting is not the same literacy context as the workplace. The amount, type and timing of reading,for example, may be fundamentally different to that required on a university course.
> best wishes
> Margaret
>
> >>> [log in to unmask] 01/25/02 06:04pm >>>
> Dear All,
>
> I have been contacted by one of our departments about transferable
> skills for students with disabilities. They are concerned that they
> have a responsibiity to prepare students for employment and increase
> their employability. They want to include transferable skills for
> students with disabilities within their course structure. They are
> finding it difficult to understand how students who require note takers,
> extra time, scribes, readers will fit into the working structure of
> jobs, unless they are given some skills or information to help them make
> the transition with greater ease. I have obviously mentioned the Access
> to Work scheme once they are in employment but are stumped at giving
> advice on transferable skills. Our careers department are still in
> their infancy in dealing with students with disabilities so have
> provided very little advice so far. Does anyone have any suggestions,
> advice, or can point me towards some useful publications, training, etc.
> Any help will be greatfully received.
>
> With best wishes
> Claire
>
> Assistant Disability Officer
> Brunel University
> Kingston Lane
> Uxbridge UB8 3PH
> Middlesex
>
> Tel: 01895 274000 ext. 2910
> Fax: 01895 816260
>
>
>
Bryan Jones
Disability Support Services Manager
Tel: 020 8411 5367
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