I don't see how this can square with the provision under the DDA that if a
student discloses a disability to a member of an institution, the
institution is taken to know. Isn't this the basis of most anticipatory
action, in practice?
I know the DDA is paradoxical in a number of ways, but isn't this approach
further entrenching this paradox? Especially for people in dual roles,
such as John. What is he to do when a student discloses to him in his role
as Disability Officer, saying that the disclosure should not go to his
lecturer (who is also John)? What about students who encounter needs
assessors who are also disability officers? Where is their 'right' of
differential disclosure?
Isn't it more sensible to explain very clearly that to disclose to the
disability staff is to disclose to the institution, and that if this is
not what the student wants he or she should not disclose at all.
Can someone give an example of purposeful disclosure to disability staff
without this having a onward effect? (This question is serious, not
sarcastic; I am genuinely interested to hear.)
Iain Hood
Senior Student Adviser, Learning Support
Student Support Services
APU
East Road
Cambridge
CB1 1PT
01223 363271 ex 2316
[log in to unmask]
Quoting "GREGORY, Kate" <[log in to unmask]>:
> We have produced a new consent form for the use of staff, other than the
> Disability Advisers, which also deals with the situation when a student
> discloses but doesn't want the information to be passed on to other
> members of staff. Please see attachment.
>
> Kate Gregory
> University of Gloucestershire
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Pollak [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 10 June 2004 10:26
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Consent to disclose information
>
>
> Eleanor
> I think that's a very good point, thank you.
> I am going to amend my form accordingly.
>
> David Pollak
> De Montfort University
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eleanor Drummond [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 10 June 2004 10:26
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Consent to disclose information
>
> One amendment that might be worth considering in light of
> the new legal situations is the inclusion of a clause where
> the student can say that they do NOT want any information
> passed on to other members of staff at this time. It
> leaves the door open for them to keep in touch with you and
> amend it later if they discover they want the support that
> has been proposed, but keeps the institution and advisers
> safe from flak if things don't go as well as the student
> hoped and they try to claim it is due to lack of support
> relating to a disability that has been disclosed.
>
> --
> Eleanor Drummond
> Heriot-Watt University
>
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