Dear All
Has anyone been involved in any work with FE providers in looking at transition issues
into HE. If so could you please contact :
Jim Jordan
Project Officer
Careers Advisory Service
East Chapel
Trinity College
Dublin 2
Tel. (01) 6083112
Fax. (01) 6793295
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Who is the coordinator for the project mentioned below and is seeking views.
Thanks
Mike
IMPROVING THE RETENTION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN THIRD LEVEL
Introduction
Against the backdrop of a national policy of 'mainstreaming' how well prepared is the
education system to meet the needs of this cohort?
How does one deal with the area of disability? Should there be systemic or special
provision?
This project has been initiated to improve the uptake and subsequent retention of
students with disabilities in third level. It is:
· A three-year HEA funded project.
· A partnership between the Institute of Technology Tallaght and Trinity College
Background
A recently published report of a survey commissioned by AHEAD of 42 higher education
institutions in the academic year 1998/99 shows a significant increase in the numbers of
students with disabilities attending third level over the numbers attending in '93/94.
While this is an encouraging trend and represents a 90% increase it still means that
students with disabilities represent just 0.9% of the total undergraduate population.
Evidence from staff at second level highlights their lack of education and training in
this area. It is seen by some as an extra on top of an already burgeoning workload.
There is confusion around CAO application for students with disabilities and a lack of
transparency and commonality around access routes to college. Some look to the third level
disability officer as the reference point for this group.
Evidence from students with disabilities at second level would suggest that there is a
lack of awareness of their needs. They have experienced a deficit of information to help
them in the decision making process. Some would say that expectations of them are
generally lower than of their peers.
At third level they would attest to a higher level of flexibility and support but still
find themselves constrained by the built environment; pedagogic practices; assistive
provision and evaluation procedures.
Groups targeted for consultation
· Students
· Academic and administrative staff in each institution
· Second level guidance counsellors
Do you have a view? Are you interested in this area? Have you got some personal
experience that might contribute to the project?
If so please feel free to contact me.
Mike Wray
Project Coordinator
Demos Project
http://www.demos.ac.uk
tel: 0161 247 3377
fax: 0161 247 6852
text: 0161 247 3492
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