Bernard,
You are of course right, people should not be intimidated but they are. A few years back I worked on a project to support students with disabilities going into the workplace. Many students refused to participate because they were concerned that employers would correlate disability with inability. This was particularly true of students with degrees in business studeies etc who were dyslexic. The concensus seemed to be that if it doesn't show don't let anyone know if you can help it. Those with more noticeable disabilities often proved once they got to interview that they had more to offer than an average student and their disability was easily overcome by technology and a little support.
The problem belongs to us all, The student must be prepared to accept the support offered, the teachers and lecturers must be prepared to accept that some have to work in a slightly different manner becauseof a disability and the employer mus recognise disability does not equal inability.
This is what I hope the recent legislation is doing in support of what education and the disability workers have been doing for a long time, but it still needs action and agreement by all to succede.
Terry Hart
UOP
-----Original Message-----
From: Bernard Doherty [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Fri 23/05/2003 17:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: work placements for student with dyslexia
I see all too clearly what is involved here and I'm ready to work with
the consensus. If we move away from the model of technology judged by
processing speed to one judged by calibre or charge, perhaps something
constructive can be done. For example,
'your 16 bit spell check pen has failed to teach you the appropriate
use of a significant word in assessments of your course'.
'My nines are going to redifine the marking criteria of the module so
that this will no longer be a problem'.
'I think I speak for all the teaching staff when I say that our primary
concern is with your physical weakness and nothing to do with an
unwillingness to put ourselves out: you're not strong'.
'762, full metal jacket'.
We have the technology; why should people be intimidated?
Bernard
On Fri, 23 May 2003 16:55:47 +0100 Terry Hart <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> The problem where people with disabilities fail to stand up for their rights is only to common I am afraid. Nobody want's to be labelled a trouble maker and it is easier to take the line of least resistance in the hope that you remain in work. The only problem with that is that nothing ever changes, despite the best efforts of the law and social reformers. It realy does need a positive move from the part of the individual with the disability in the certain knowledge that there will be many who will support them, not least the people from Access to Work / JobcentrePlus.
>
> Terry Hart
> UOP
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karen Ball [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Fri 23/05/2003 16:51
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: work placements for student with dyslexia
>
>
>
> I have another dyslexic client - a librarian. Her employer doesn't feel
> that the [eminently, I feel] reasonable adjustments suggested are
> practicable. One included provision of a calculator so she could calculate
> fines and the cost of stationery as an alternative to being expected to do
> mental arithmetic...[anyone feel like a Friday afternoon or summer
> holiday-type response to that one..?]
>
> Unfortunately neither client felt they were up to pursuing the issue
> although they would have been supported in doing so. The graphic designer
> quietly left, the librarian has accepted an alternative post which is [in my
> view] entirely inappropriate, will be just as challenging and may well
> result in her quietly leaving too.
>
> K
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Baxter, Chris
> Sent: 23 May 2003 16:12
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: work placements for student with dyslexia
>
>
> Where did 'reasonable adjustment' come in there then? Sorry but this
> looks like discrimination....or am I wrong, please don't ring me and
> tell me, an email will do!Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karen Ball [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 23 May 2003 13:33
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: work placements for student with dyslexia
>
>
> I saw a graduate working as a graphic designer for an Access to Work
> assessment. He had no problem creating designs but couldn't manage the
> proof-reading which went with it - even commenting on the position of
> his design was difficult for him because, he said, of the columnar
> layout, which made it hard for him to "see" its relationship to the
> text. We tried to negotiate with the employer that he should be able
> just to do the "drawing"
> - employer firmly said that the jobs went together. Unfortunately the
> graduate moved on - felt he had no choice. Sure this doesn't help at
> all, but just a comment....
>
> K
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Baxter, Chris
> Sent: 23 May 2003 11:00
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: work placements for student with dyslexia
>
>
> Hi Liz
> My thoughts; there are e many elements to graphic design work, designers
> are employed for their design ability not their proof reading abilities
> I wouldn't have thought (if they are they would be expensive and
> potentially not very accurate proof readers). I f an unavoidable
> requirement of the job is for accurate reading then a reader should be
> engaged, or the job could/should be revaluated to see if it is a graphic
> designers or a proof readers, I don't believe you can do the two.
> Personal thoughts only, haven't come across this. Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Liz Thompson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 23 May 2003 10:55
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: work placements for student with dyslexia
>
>
> Dear Everyone
>
> I'd appreciate any comments / advice / information on the following:
>
> I've been contacted by an academic tutor about one of his students who
> is keen to have a career in graphic design. The tutor is concerned that
> this area of work is very pressured and demands a high degree of
> proof-reading accuracy. He doesn't feel that the student will be able to
> cope in the light of his dyslexia. He wants the student to have a work
> placement with a company that will provide a degree of protection and
> support for him.
>
> Any contributions welcome.
>
> Regards
>
> Liz Thompson
> Learning Support Officer
>
>
----------------------
Bernard Doherty
Student Adviser
ACCESS Centre
Anglia Polytechnic University
Tel: 01223 363271 x2534
Fax: 01223 417730
Minicom: 01223 576155
[log in to unmask]
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