Hi,   
 
   This question has been raised at an opportune time for us. I was just wondering what the feeling is in relation to a student having 2 weeks off due to surgery related to his disability, and asking his LEA to cover the cost of a note-taker to attend lectures on the student's behalf during this time? 
 
 
Naomi Billingham
Disability Service
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Southampton 
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From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Emma Wright
Sent: Wed 26/10/2005 17:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Student non attendence when they have note takers


Dear Brigid,

I think your statement on this is fairly sensible, but I really recommend that you talk to any student who you find is in this situation about why they are not attending. You can then make an informed decision as to whether or not they should be allowed their notetakers notes. 

You give a number of instances in which it would be acceptable for a student not to attend, but I would add a few others from my own experience and that of other students I have spoken to...


Not all lecturers make adjustments to their teaching practices to enable students with certain disabilites to follow any of what they are saying/doing in the session.  This has left some students, myself included, very reluctant to attend , and at times I have left mid-session because of this.  Also, my disabilities make it difficult to get to lectures, I am often too ill to attend, have problems finding a lecture room or arranging accessible transport.  In addition, I know of some students who have not attended because the session was scheduled in a room that was not accessible to wheelchair users or did not have an induction loop. My university never witheld notes when I was unable to attend a session, but I always made sure I explained why I could not be there.

I would also like to respond to your point that not attending,:

"... allows students who have a notetaker more time away from teaching to get on with other things."

For many disabled students the process of studying itself takes much longer, and requires a lot more effort, than for their non-disabled peers, so I think it is unfair to talk about the time they might then save by not attending a session. Also having a notetaker isn't the easy option some people, often other students, sometimes imagine; any notes that are made need to be read through carefully by the student to check that they correspond to their own understanding of what was said in the session, especially if the notetaker is unfamilar with the subject.  

Most students who use notetakers are aware of the benefits of still attending a session, and those that don't often have a very good reason. Having said that, disabled students are no different from any other students, and yes, they will occassionally not attend for reasons completely unrelated to their disability!

Emma Wright




On 10/26/05, Callaghan, Brigid S <[log in to unmask] > wrote: 

		Could you give your comments please: 

		What do you do when you have a student who needs a note taker but the student is not attending classes but allowing the note taker to attend in their absence and still expecting the notes? 

		My feelings are: 

						The University is expected to make reasonable adjustments for students with evidence of a disability  under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) SENDA part   IV (2001)  Further information regarding SENDA is available on the student support website   

						 An example of one such reasonable adjustment is that some students who have been identified through the appropriate channels, will be allocated a note taker to attend their lectures, classes, seminars, tutorials etc to take notes for the student .  

						Students who are allocated a note taker are expected to attend teaching  as well as their note takers. It is not considered a reasonable adjustment for note takers to attend this teaching in the absence of the student they are working for.  The work of note takers is centralised and notes are delivered to the Student  Support Office. Note takers are requested to  let us know when students are not attending and caseworkers within Student Support will monitor this.  

						There are some circumstances when note takers will continue to attend and take notes for students with disabilities when the student is absent. Examples of when this is the case are, when students are absent due to necessary consultant, doctor or hospital appointments  and some other circumstances and issues relating to the individual's disability.  This will be monitored by the caseworker  within the disability team. Students are asked to inform us when they'll be absent and a judgement by the disability team is made as to whether it constitutes a reasonable adjustment to allow the note taker to continue attending and taking notes in the student's absence.  

		What do others think? How do you approach this issue?  I don't think it constitutes a reasonable adjustment to allow note takers but not the student to attend. It does not level the playing field, as then the student who does not have a disability is at a disadvantage compared to the student who does. It allows students who have a notetaker more time away from teaching to get on with other things. But, what do you all think? Maybe I am wrong on this point, I would be interested in a debate on this matter. Depts need to monitor all student attendance, but where do we fit in in this instance when it comes to note takers.....................   sorry it's a long one! 

		++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
		Brigid Callaghan 
		Senior Disability Adviser 
		Student Support 
		University of Essex 
		Wivenhoe Park 
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		01206 87 3260 
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