I think the idea of having a discussion list for disabled students is an
excellent idea. I'm not sure how many disabled students are aware of the
dis-forum discussion list as very few students I know have heard of it. If
a student focussed list was introduced maybe the way to promote it amongst
disabled students is for the disability officers, assessors, advisers etc to
pass the information on to their students.
As a disabled student it can be quite lonely and sometimes seem a never
ending battle. Having a forum in which to provide support, encouragement,
exchange views and ideas could be one way for students to overcome the
isolation that can be experienced. It could also provide input into the
much needed participation process that is now high on the agenda.
As an undergraduate I shared a room with visually impaired students and we
were able to offer each other this support and encouragement, but I do know
through interviewing students as a postgraduate that there were students who
had never met another disabled person on campus. Seems unbelievable, but it's
true. I expect there are universities out there that have focus groups and
so on, but at my HEI we didn't have anything along these lines.
Finally, such a discussion list should be led by a disabled student,
although I recognise that this might not be practical. Can you imagine a
list for women, organised and controlled by a man?
Karen Beauchamp-Pryor
Research Student
Swansea University
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Hill" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 8:43 PM
Subject: Re: Message from the list owner
Hi
Good points. However, keep in mind the difference between a national
disability focused list and one run within an HE setting. Personally, I
have my doubts the concept - but feel that it could be worth a try.
Perhaps the students on this list should revela their thoughts about the
issue.
Unfortunately, Jisc probably won't run a list primarily for the use of
undergrads - but will probably be okay if the list is mainly aimed at
post-grads. However, there are other list operators out there.
Regards
Peter
Felicity Burgess wrote:
> This is obviously just my opinion, but having used 'student' lists as part
> of a professional group, people tend to be very quiet on them unless they
> can be assured that there are only students using the list. Students do
> network in other ways (particularly for the more emotive sides).
>
>
>
> Quoting Peter Hill <[log in to unmask]>:
>
>
>>Hi
>>
>>It would be worth looking at:
>>
>>http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/mailinglists/startlist.htm
>>
>>The conditions for starting new jisc list state that the list owner
>>should be employed by an institution and have an ac.uk email address.
>>However, it is perfectly feasible (as far as I'm aware) for a student or
>>someone not employed by an HEI/FEI to run a list - as long as there is a
>>co-owner who meets the jiscmail requirements.
>>
>>A list for disabled students might be of value - as long as it is driven
>>by the 'issues' rather than emotion (a bit rich, maybe, given some of
>>the exchanges on this list recently). Also - as EA pointed out -
>>students may already be using alternative networks.
>>
>>Regards
>>
>>Peter
>>
>>
>>alex larg wrote:
>>
>>>Hi Rhun,
>>>
>>>I appreciate the point you are making but I would say do you have to be
>>>disabled to be a disability officer or an assessor?
>>>
>>>I would say no as long as you listen to what the disabled community
>>
>>says to
>>
>>>you and take into account the varying, differing and sometimes
>>
>>conflicting
>>
>>>views in terms of adjustments that people need and request. I also
>>
>>think
>>
>>>that it is important to give as many possible and different
>>
>>opportunities
>>
>>>for feedback as possible as we know how difficult the important
>>
>>monitoring
>>
>>>and evaluation process is and how difficult it can be to collect that
>>>information so we can act up it when necessary.
>>>
>>>With respect you are also assuming that I am not currently a student as
>>
>>well
>>
>>>as working for a living. Many people have to do both nowadays as you
>>
>>know.
>>
>>>I have had a quick look and cannot find any jiscmail based discussion
>>
>>lists
>>
>>>related to what I am suggesting apart from dis-forum. But then some
>>
>>people
>>
>>>perceive dis-forum as a "staff" room which may not be very welcoming
>>
>>for
>>
>>>students and others. The list owner, Paul, has clarified this though
>>
>>and
>>
>>>made it clear that it is open to anybody with an interest in disability
>>
>>and
>>
>>>HE.
>>>
>>>Is it a bad thing to provide another opportunity for discussion and
>>
>>sharing
>>
>>>of ideas and issues as long as this is managed positively,
>>
>>constructively
>>
>>>and with accessibility in mind and in practice?
>>>
>>>Best wishes,
>>>
>>>
>>>Alex
>>>
>>>Alex Larg
>>>
>>>[log in to unmask]
>>>07931 561 877 or 07916 175 077
>>>Freelance Assistive Technology Trainer
>>>Freelance study needs assessor
>>>Former Disability Officer
>>>
>>>
>>>On 20/4/07 19:34, "Rhun Ap Harri [rha]" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Dear DisForum
>>>>
>>>>I'm all for what students want to do.
>>>>
>>>>Owning and moderating a Jiscmail forum for students by anyone other
>>
>>than a
>>
>>>>student is beyond my understanding of independence.
>>>>
>>>>Students could well have a forum somewhere anyway.
>>>>
>>>>Cheers
>>>>
>>>>Rhun
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>>Rhun ap Harri
>>>>Swyddog Anabledd PCA/UWA Disability Officer
>>>>Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales
>>>>Ystafell G7/Room G7 Cledwyn Building
>>>>Ceredigion SY23 3DD
>>>>Ffôn: / Tel:01970 628537 Ffacs: / Fax: 01970 621759
>>>>Symudol/Mobile:07971 818993
>>>>www.aber.ac.uk/welfare-disability
>>
>>>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>--
>>
>>Peter J Hill
>>
>>Tel: 01905 391 547
>>Mobile: 07751 792711
>>
>>Email: [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Peter J Hill
Tel: 01905 391 547
Mobile: 07751 792711
Email: [log in to unmask]
|
