We have a HI student due to start a Multi-Media course in September. He
wears hearing aids in both ears and relies on these and lip reading for
communication. He has already had an Access Centre assesment, which
recommends a note taker who is able to audio type, whom he could sit
next to and read notes they are taking directly onto his lap top.
Apparently he used to use this sytem at school. Our usual method of
providing note taking support involves a Learning Support Assistant
taking notes by hand and later typing these up for the student, making
a separate note in class of any other information given out. The Access
Centre assessor feels that this is less likely to enable his full
participation across the range of teaching sessions, as there is no
guarantee that lecturers will be strict about organising group
work/discussions effectively (although we would arrange deaf awareness
training for staff involved).
We are certainly prepared to investigate the possibility of proviing an
audio typist, although we have some concerns about likely familiarity
with the subject area. One of our LSAs has already worked with students
with other disabilities on the same course, becoming familiar with the
course content/vocabulary. Whilst she is not a speed typist, she is an
experienced note taker and is working towards the CADCP note taking
qualification. We wonder how likely it is that we will find someone
who can type quickly enough who also has relevant subject knowledge.
We would value your views. In particular, does anyone provide "audio
typist" note taking? If so, where do you recruit people from, what
typing speed is required and what is the going rate (£15 per hour is
suggested in the report, but the assessor is happy to support a higher
rate if need be - up to the NMH limit).
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Susan Butler
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