I feel that this argument is replacing the 'social' model of disability with a
'financial' model.
This all feels really personal to me because it was one of my students who
requested electronic note-taking which provoked this discussion- and I feel I
should speak on his behalf!
We have 4 profoundly deaf students who started last week and despite extensive
advertising etc., have only two teachers for the deaf , both of whom have
substantial other commitments. Certainly in Oxford there is a huge shortage of
appropriate support for deaf students. I really don't believe that conventional
note-taking alone provides sufficient support especially when there is such a lot
of emphasis on group work in many courses, one of my students has already decided
to change course because there is so much group work in her course.
When my then prospective student asked for electronic note-taking it felt like a
possible solution to these problems and a 'reasonable adjustment'. We have bought
stereotype and the extra laptop( and no I'm not quite sure where the money is
coming from at this point in time!) and I hope it will prove useful especially in
group work. The problem of appropriately trained operators is still with us - but
I do feel feel this is potentially doable.
In the meantime if there are any teachers for the deaf or others with similar
experience in the Oxford area we would love to hear from you...
Nicola
Michael Trott wrote:
> In a message dated 02/10/03 09:03:11 GMT Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
> writes:
>
> << My suggestion would be a discussion btw DO and assessor (something that
> has been discussed on this list endlessly in the past) which agrees
> some kind of alternative whilst attempts are made to develop the relevant
> service. I would have thought this is the minimum that would be
> required under that 'arm' of the law.
> If it proved impossible/unreasonable for developments to be implemented,
> then so be it, but surely this would be more in line with the
> spirit of the DDA? Naturally, the results of this discussion would also need
> to be communicated to the student.
>
> Would this not be a fair approach? >>
>
> I don't know if that is any clearer than my ramblings on the issue. I think
> perhaps we need to decide what the assessor should whether or not the HEI
> doesn't offer this service.
>
> Let's see what others think.
>
> Mick
--
Nicola Colao
Disabled Students Adviser
Student Services
Oxford Brookes University
H.K.S.C.
Oxford
OX3 OBP
Tel: 01865 484650
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