I agree Lesley. The doctors often have no idea of the impact on study and
even if they do, they are not aware of the accommodations available within
the university. For example, I have received letters saying that a student
cannot do assignments when they were able to do them with the assistance of
Dragon or a scribe. Doctors also often downplay the side-effects of
medication, especially the psychiatric drugs.
I see it as the role of the Disability Adviser to discuss the impact of the
disability with the student and to make/recommend the appropriate
accommodations, based on this discussion and the adviser's experience and
knowledge of disability, the university environment, and the available
services and facilities.
I suppose we may be fortunate in Australia that we do not have to answer to
a body such as the LEA and therefore have more flexibility.
Regards,
Anne
Anne Berquier
Disability Adviser
Student Support Services
The University of Queensland
Telephone: (07) 3365 1757
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lesley Morrice
Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2005 4:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Medical Evidence
Sounds ok in principle, but is the GP the best person to identify what
impact this will have on study activities? I had a GP who said that in his
opinion it would NOT impact significantly on the individual's study
activities - and the LEA wouldn't then let me carry out an assessment! The
student was visually impaired and WAS having difficulties, but due to the
GP's letter, the LEA wouldn't budge!
Lesley
Lesley Morrice
ACCESS Centre Manager
(Academic Support Tutor)
Student Services
Room A5A The Orchards
University Park
Nottingham
NG7 2RD
UK
Tel: 0115 8466114
Fax: 0115 8466116
EMail: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.nottingham.ac.uk/as
>>> [log in to unmask] 12/13/05 7:01 PM >>>
I don't know about you but my GP has his own ideas about what to write. Most
of the GP letters I see are appallingly unhelpful and patronising "This
young man has XXX"
What would be really helpful would be is someone could produce an
appropriately worded guide for GPs on what to write that could be made
available on-line and through DOs This might take the foprm of a letter.
Something along the lines of
DEar Doctor,
Would you please write me a letter to give to my LEA so that they can
authorise support to be made available to me as a disabled student.
It would be helpful if the letter gave the name of my condition, the
symptoms of the condition and side effects of any medication and the impact
this would have on study activities such as reading, note taking, writing
essays, practical activities, travel etc.
and so on.
Mick Trott
In a message dated 13/12/05 03:24:24 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:
<< I think it makes sense for an institution to adopt the same policy on
medical evidence as used by LAs. LAs require evidence that clearly states a
disability exists. As Bryan says, a GP letter that says the student 'claims
to have ...' or 'tells me he has ...' is not evidence of a disability. The
GP letter must clearly state that the student is diagnosed with the
condition . For example, if the GP says the student has eyesight problems
he/she must say what condition is causing these problems. If the LA or DO
has any concerns about the potential effect of this condition on studying
he/she should seek further advice e.g. by contacting RNIB. >>
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