Just jumping onto this thread, I have not yet done so, but would be 
perfectly willing to consider recommending a SatNav product such as Trekker 
(specifically designed for the visually impaired) or WayFinder + TALKS on a 
Symbion 60 phone for a student with a visual impairment who was on a course 
which required significant amounts of travelling.  As a V.I. person who uses 
a guide dog and who was a Social Worker for many years, I use both of these 
products and appreciate the flexibility and independence they offer - they 
both have pro's and con's - and I think that we should be willing to 
consider the most appropriate solution for a genuine course related need 
that arises as a result of a disability, whatever the LEA may think.

Barry G

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Smyth" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: Sat nav through DSA



Hi Sue

In line with the evidence you have mentioned I can understand the 
recommendation. Maybe the original sender of the query could look into some 
of the factors you have highlighted and then make a considered and fair 
decision relating to their case.

It is always useful to get the conversation going, it opens up the mind! I 
had hoped to fuel a bit of a debate, I don't think Henry Short read it (did 
you Henry? If so I hope you took it in the lighthearted manner in which it 
was intended) as an old colleague of mine did not receive my last e mail so 
perhaps Henry is not on this list?

Regards, Paul.





---- Message from mailto:<[log in to unmask] Sue McKenna 
<[log in to unmask]> at 2005-11-11 12:23:58 ------ 

Regarding the recommendation of Sat nav, I have assessed a student for the
DSA who had a diagnosis of dyscalculia, not dyslexia,  for whom a
recommendation of a sat nav system was made and successfully supplied by the
LEA.

She was in her second year of a social work course and was required to visit
clients in their home. she experienced severe difficulties with direction,
spatial awareness, time/distance relationships all of which was evidenced in
the Ed Psy report.she also had Merles/Irlen syndrome and wore green tinted
glasses as well as having diabetes.
she was obliged to have her tutor travel with her as she had not been able
to carry out her placement activities without him  in the car to direct her.
she requested a satnav system and we investigated all the options.

After careful consideration of all the evidence, in particular the scores
for perceptual organisation (which was very low) and working memory( which
was in line with her verbal comprehension index score, not atypical of
people with dyslexia) ,it was thought that she could cope with the task of
driving a car whilst using a Sat nav and it would not overload her.  Apart
from the test results both the Ed Psy and the student specifically stated
that map reading was an area of notable difficulty.
Considering the extensive hours she was required to complete visiting
clients as part of her course the recommendation was made to the LEA and
they approved it.

However this recommendation was based on a diagnosis of dyscalculia, not
dyslexia, and a rigorous analysis of the ed psy report, the course and the
student's comments,
Sue McKenna
CELT, University of Southampton
New College, The Avenue,
Southampton SO17 1BG
[log in to unmask]
Tel: 0787 6277507
[log in to unmask]







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The information contained in this communication is confidential and may be 
legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or 
entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to receive it. If you 
are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, 
copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of 
this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Richmond upon 
Thames College is not liable for the proper and complete transmission of the 
information contained in this communication nor for any delay in its 
receipt.

http://www.gordano.com - Messaging for educators.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.8/166 - Release Date: 10/11/2005



-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.8/166 - Release Date: 10/11/2005