I agree with Surya. Surely a disability is not how we or anybody else defines what is a disability,it is how the individual themselves feels (within reasonable boundaries). We are not here to determine if a condition is disabling for an individual but merely to understand and support them in ensuring that their experience is equalised to that of a non-disabiled person.
Also, a person does not have to undergo medical treatment for thier "condition" to be somehow more acceptable or more qualifying as a disability.
Also none of us are the "disability police" - here to catch out students deftly trying to cheat the system. Surely that is just coming from the wrong place.
Best wishes
Imogen
-----Original Message-----
From: Surya Shaffi [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 10 June 2004 15:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: What qualifies as a disability?
Am I missing something, or what exactly gives any of us the right to make a
judgment as to what does/does not qualify as 'a disability' for an
individual? Surely, if an individual has a physiological or sensory or
learning impairment that creates barriers for him/her, and that makes
him/her the potential target for discriminatory attitudes and practices as a
result of that impairment, then that individual has the right to identify
himself/herself as disabled?
I don't think that the "I know one like that too" scenarios we've been
hearing about is a valid means of legitimising an individual's right to
identify themselves as a disabled person. This is also reverting to a
medicalising approach to disability we've been striving for so long to get
away from.
Best wishes
Surya
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jameson,JM" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 2:24 PM
Subject: Re: What qualifies as a disability?
We have had two cases of this, this year and in each case, the student has
been happy to take the exam in a smaller room with rest breaks and the
understanding that they would either bring in a small hand towel or box of
large tissues to cope as they usually do but without being quizzed about it.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Pollak [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 10 June 2004 14:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: What qualifies as a disability?
I also know of a person with this. It is very disabling when it's bad, and
stress makes it worse. The operation is quite invasive, has side effects
itself, and is not all that sure of success I thought.
I would say this is definitely a case for a scribe, although as I don't deal
with DSA applications, I have no experience to quote.
David Pollak
De Montfort University
-----Original Message-----
From: Quinn, Christine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 10 June 2004 13:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: What qualifies as a disability?
I have dealt with several cases such as this. No DSA, but we provided
absorbant paper during exams for the student to keep drying their hands.
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Katy Mann
Sent: 10 June 2004 22:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: What qualifies as a disability?
I'm wondering if anybody has come across this before. A student has just
contacted me saying she thinks she has a disability as she has
hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating on her hands and feet) which makes
writing difficult.
She claims that she can't take medication for this because of the side
effects and there is no operation for it. I know this is not the case as
there is an operation which is usually 98% effective on curing the
problem, at least on the hands.
On the basis of this condition does anyone think she would be eligible
for the DSA. My feeling it that it is highly unlikely, and, even if it
were, apart from the recommendation for pens with rubber grips on them,
any technical equipment is unlikely to be of any use as if the problem
is that bad she could end up short circuiting it!
In terms of any in house support that we have available, again, I don't
think anything would be of particular benefit apart from perhaps the
provision of a Scribe in exams but I think that even this in
circumspect.
While I recognise that it is an unpleasant condition to have to live
with my feeling is that she is chancing her arm..or am I just too
cynical...
I would be very interested to hear what other people think.
Katy
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