But is it supposed to be a 'virtual staff room'?
The header of the list suggests that it is a 'discussion list for disabled
students and their support staff'; ergo, not a staff room. The feeling
that this is in any way a 'staff room' could discourage students from
posting.
Quoting Caroline Davies <[log in to unmask]>:
> Dear Alex,
>
> I would like to endorse Karen's comments and to say that my complaint to
> the
> list owner was not in relation to an email from you.
>
> I do think it is important that everyone who posts to disforum uses
> language
> that is considered and considerate. I would certainly not want this to
> stifle genuine discussion (or controversy) and information sharing,
> because
> that's what disforum is all about. It is an invaluable 'virtual staff
> room'. I hope that the list owner will now think it sensible to provide
> some useful guidance for contributors.
>
> kind regards,
>
> Caroline
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Karen Farmer" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 2:23 PM
> Subject: Re: use of language - apology
>
>
> Dear Alex
>
> Being one of those named in your message - thank you for the courteous
> apology.
>
> While I may occasionally have not appreciated the form in which you have
> expressed your opinions, I have never doubted that you are committed to
> supporting students, which is after all what we are all here for.
>
> Personally, I look forward to your continued contributions to this list,
> and
> it would be a shame if any of us felt that we could not properly air a
> genuine concern, or make reasonable enquiries - particulary if the topic
> under discussion is likely to be perceived by others as contentious or
> sensitive.
>
> Regards
>
> K
>
>
>
> Karen Farmer
> DSA Needs Assessor
> Learning Support
> University of Bedfordshire
> Park Square, Luton
> LU1 3HZ
>
> Tel: 01582 74 3422
> Internal ext: 3422
> Fax: 01582 489349
>
>
> >>> [log in to unmask] 18/04/2007 13:31:55 >>>
> Dear Colleagues,
> apologies for cross posting this message...
> I would like to apologise to Karen, Caroline and any other colleagues
> who
> may have found my messages offensive or inappropriate. They are not
> intended
> to be and my intention is purely to find out whether students are
> receiving
> the best possible service and are being given value for money and the
> excellence of service which they deserve and should be entitled to. The
> feedback I receive from many students I work with, and I work with a lot
> of
> students, is that they often feel let down by the systems in place to
> help
> them. That's not to say that a lot of them aren't also grateful, thankful
> and appreciative - they are. My starting point was to ask for evidence
> from
> students and those who work with students, and take that forward to an
> appropriate authority. This seems to have been met by a combination of
> appreciation and praise off list, and sometimes animosity and
> discouragement
> on list from service providers, assessors and access centre managers. I
> am
> not saying that my opinion is the only opinion and that I am right. I am
> just saying that I feel that there is room for improvement in any sector
> and
> that the way to achieve that improvement is through encouraging and
> gathering feedback, which is seriously considered and acted on and not
> just
> binned and dismissed as ill informed and just a few complaining students.
> I
> believe I can, as any competent disability officer / practitioner should
> be
> able to, tell the difference between substance and distraction. I also
> find
> that the students who don't complain or make little or no noise at all
> are
> the ones often most in need of help. I am copying this message to several
> forums as I want my apology and my own opinion to be available to anyone
> who
> wants it, needs it, deserves it etc. This is likely to be one of my last
> on-list postings for a while on this subject as I intend to take my
> concerns
> and evidence elsewhere. I am still very happy to receive on-list or
> off-list
> messages with comments, concerns and criticisms. I will also participate
> where appropriate in disussions where I feel I have something positive to
> contribute, as I feel and believe is the spirit of these lists.
> I would also be happy on this occasion for this message to be forwarded
> to
> the ASASA list as I no longer have rights to post to that list
> unfortunately.
> Thank you. Alex Alex [log in to unmask] 561 877 or 07916 175
> 077Freelance Assistive Technology TrainerFreelance study needs
> assessorFormer Disability Officer
> MNADP
> _________________________________________________________________
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