Terry,
Having worked on this for over 25 years I think there will be no
perfect wording to satisfy all parties, although some will obviosly be
more widely acceptable than others. I agree that the underlying service
philosophy around access (in its fullest sense) has to be right and that
the Social Model has to be paramount.
In the first paragraph of Brunels Handbook I wrote, "The University
has adopted the "Social Model" of disability; that is disabled people
are primarily disabled by the design of the environment and/or others
attitudes in society, rather than by their conditon. We also recognise
that some people do not associate with such terminology and agree that
it is for individuals to define their own situation". I think the later
sentiment is the important bit, giving people the right and choice to
describe themselves however they wish. The individual will soon form an
opinion of how real the services, access, equality of opportunity, etc,
are.
Martin Smith.
Disability Co-ordinator,
Brunel University.
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Brady [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 March 2002 15:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Wording
I have been one of these students, with or without social models . . .
.And
what makes these needs special? Who of us has "unspecial" needs?
Precisely
my point. What you might be trying to convey is the idea of students in
need of supplementary help for whatever reason. More importantly, you
might see it that way as well!
At 15:05 15/03/02 +0000, you wrote:
>And what makes these needs special? Who of us has "unspecial" needs?
>
>This phrase is not motivated by the Social Model of Disability and
>should be avoided.
>
>If you are taking on board the social model of disability, then you
will
>use Disabled Students - but maybe explain in your leaflet why you have
>selected this terminology and thus place the responsibility for
>inclusion and access firmly with your institution.
>
>And in fact by explaining your choice of words, you (the institution as
>opposed to you personally) will be forced to articulate your
>philosophy more clearly, thus benefiting everyone..
>
>ATB
>
>Claire
>
>
>On Fri, 15 Mar 2002 14:25:29 +0000 Terry Brady <[log in to unmask]>
>wrote:
>
> > How about "Students with Special Needs"?
> >
> > At 13:55 15/03/02 +0000, you wrote:
> > >Hi Everyone
> > >I know you will all have an opinion on this one!
> > >We are putting together material and due to the need to categories
on
> > >certain leaflets etc we need opinions on what is the most suitable
wording
> > >when describing a student who has a support need. This may seem
basic but
> > >the one where we always have differences of opinions are:
> > >Disabled Students or Students with Disabilities.
> > >Obviously a student is made disabled by their environment which
would lean
> > >to the Disabled student phrase but students at the same time do not
want
> > >material aimed at this phrase rather I suspect they would like to
be a
> > >student first with a disability second. Can anyone offer advice,
> baring in
> > >mind I want it to be what the students want not what the University
wants!
> > >Additionally we will be asking our students.
> > >Cheers
> > >Beth Naylor
> > >Student Welfare & Disability Adviser
> > >Student Support Centre
> > >University of Liverpool
> > >Tel: 0151 794 4717
> > >Fax: 0151 794 4718
> >
>
>----------------------
>Claire Wickham
>Director: Access Unit - Short Courses and Outreach
>University of Bristol
>Union Building
>Queen's Road
>Clifton
>Bristol BS8 1LN
>
>Tel: 0117 954 5710
>Textphone: 0117 954 5715
>Fax: 0117 954 5714
>
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