Thanks Aidan- I agree entirely that staff in education (particularly in HE) are often unaware of the other communities/sectors from which they could gain information and support. This is certainly something that I plan to cover in my book.

 

Sadly, I am unable to attend the Balancing the Equation conference- but hope that all those that do attend manage to identify effective ways of sharing practice across the different communities.

 

Regards, Jane Seale



	-----Original Message----- 

	From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Aidan Parr 

	Sent: Tue 07/06/2005 14:20 

	To: [log in to unmask] 

	Cc: 

	Subject: Re: [DIS-FORUM] Use of specialist technology databases

	

	



	Jane,

	

	One of the problems for everyone is knowing where to look for information as

	there seems to be many different information sources that don't reference or

	acknowledge each other. For example, in the UK alone the DLF has a good

	database for general disability, Techdis has another with emphasis on EAT,

	FAST concentrates on R&D. Lots of different charities provide guides on AT

	equipment. And there are plenty more I probably don't know about. But we

	don't always refer enquiries to the right place in any co-ordinated way.

	Perhaps the feeling is that we are in 'competition' ?

	

	I also think that it's a mistake for those working in student support to

	feel that their problems or need for information is unique to education. I

	subscribe to a few forums: AssisTech, TECH-DIS, SENIT, etc and there seems

	to be a lot of people crying out for information and the questions in these

	forums are as relevant to education as they are for people working in the

	NHS or in a charity supporting disabled clients. My feeling is that the need

	for computer access for a disabled student, for example, is not that

	different from the needs of a teenager in school for computer access or from

	that of someone being supported for computer access in a hospital.

	Obviously, there are some variations in need, but ultimately we all need to

	be aware of what our colleagues are doing and what good/bad/indifferent

	equipment they are supplying.

	

	I'm looking forward to the 'Balancing the Equation' conference in September

	where AT Networking will be discussed. I've also mooted the idea of a few

	regional conferences a year for those working in AT support: education,

	health, charity,etc. One in London/the South-east, one in the Midlands and

	one in Northern England. Obviously, I'd be happy to respond to interest from

	Scotland, Wales and the South-West.

	

	Anyone interested?

	

	I'm not sure I've answered your question though....

	

	Best Wishes,

	

	Aidan Parr

	Information Officer

	FAST

	12 City Forum

	250 City Road

	London EC1V 8AF

	

	Tel:   +44 (0) 20 7253 3303

	Fax:  +44 (0) 20 7253 5990

	

	Reg. Charity Number: 1061636

	

	Why not go to the FAST website at http://www.fastuk.org to find out more

	about FAST and how you can be involved.

	

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