Perhaps i have missed something, but if assessors use the social model of
disability I would only expect a few situations where detailed knowledge
about specific impairments is really necessary. Such situation may include
assessing Deaf students (eg the assessor needs to be able to communicate
with the student and to be aware of language development issues) and blind
students (where knowledge of the specialist technology is important).
Students usually have a good idea of how their impairment affects them
(except someone who has just become disabled), but may need to help explore
the new challenges as they progress to higher education, and to try out
alternative technology etc.
Clare
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Steve Metcalfe
Sent: 25 July 2002 14:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: generalist/specialist assessors
Why should a generalist's knowledge necessarily be superficial,
surely it is possible to have an in-depth knowledge of a range of
disabilities. Furthermore, when does a specialist become a
generalist? Can someone who specializes in assessing dyslexics
also assess dyspraxics? How many people would it take to
assess a person who was totally blind, partially deaf and suffering
from severe arthritis in their wrists and hands? Clearly specialists
have to generalize! The issue is not one of specialist v generalist,
it is one of competencies.
On 25 Jul 2002, at 11:37, Eileen McCabe wrote:
> "Specialising in one disabiilty makes better DSA assessors as
> they are more likely to have an in-depth knowledge of that disability
> and be better able to understand the student's requirements than
> generalists (those who assess for a range of disabilities) who will
> have superficial knowledge of the disability."
>
> Does anyone agree/disagree or have any point of view on the above
> comment?
>
> Regards
> Eileen
>
>
> CCPD
> University of Westminster
> email [log in to unmask]
> tel: 020 7911 5163
> fax: 020 7911 5162
>
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Steve Metcalfe
Head of Disability Access Resources and Technology
Director National Association of Disability Officers
University of Lincoln
Tel: 01522 886400
Fax: 01522 886489
Minicom: 01482 463571
E-mail [log in to unmask]
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