Hi Brigid,
I think maybe some people haven't replied as we are not sure what you
mean exactly. If the role involves interpreting at all, then the person
should be interpreter trained/qualified. If you are looking for a
support tutor - you may need a tutor with BSL skills (& open to Deaf
people, who don't usually identify as, or be employed as, CSWs). If you
want a note-taker who can sign to discuss the note-taking role - maybe
some trained people would call themselves a CSW, or maybe just a
note-taker with signing skills. If you want someone to do all of these
roles at the same time - should you?
Some institutions do offer the interpreter additional hours for language
support-type work, if the interpreter has relevant skills. I think this
is more a one-to-one tutorial, separate from work as the interpreter
(and personally, I've always preferred to do this role with Deaf
students I am NOT also interpreting for).
CSWs tend to be used most in schools and FE - where someone with wide
general training can use different skills with different pupils/students
- note-taking with this one, some type of sign support with another.
Their strengths may be with students/pupils whose preferred language is
English with or without signs to support this. Where the learner has
BSL as their preferred language but the medium of instruction is in
English - you really need staff with a high level of BSL, English and
interpreting skills, ie beyond the level of standard CSW training.
How do institutions find their CSWs? - advertise and employ them direct.
There are many great CSWs, many of these are trying to get appropriate
training to become qualified in each professional area (note-taking,
interpreting, lipspeaking, teaching). This is expensive and often needs
employer support. Where they haven't these professional qualifications,
the employer would need to think carefully how they will
select/monitor/support anyone working on a free-lance basis. For
example, if you book a free-lance interpreter you have the back-up of
knowing they have a complaints procedure, appropriate insurance etc, but
this is unlikely with a free-lance CSW.
If it is definitely a CSW role you need, you might find them by
advertising through NATED, CACDP or through contacts in your local
school service, occasional through interpreting/communication support
agencies.
For anyone interested - here's a couple items related to CSWs:
http://www.batod.org.uk/index.php?id=/publications/on-linemagazine/sign/
csws.htm
http://www.cacdp.org.uk/Information/PDFs/CSWFactsheet06.pdf
Best wishes,
Sheenagh
Sheenagh Hull
Disability Co-ordinator:
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students & Note-taking Scheme
The Equality Service
Grd Floor Social Sciences Building
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT
0113 343 7367 (voice) Please note this is a new number.
0113 343 2616 (minicom textphone only)
0113 343 3944 (fax)
www.equality.leeds.ac.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Callaghan, Brigid
Sent: 21 March 2007 09:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Communication Support Worker - BSL needed!!
Dear all,
Desperately needed - a CSW operating at level 3 British Sign Language
to support a student studying first year BA Illustration and Animation
at Bolton University. Please could you get in touch if you have any
contacts or you are a CSW.
Many thanks
Brigid
***********************************************************
Brigid Callaghan
Senior Disability Adviser
Student Services
University of Bolton
Deane Rd
Bolton
BL3 5AB
[log in to unmask]
Direct line: 01204 903803
Minicom: 01204 903490
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