I agree that the best way is to place the responsibility fairly and squarely
with the individual. There is a problem in just pointing out an individual's
responsibilities. With the best will in the world an individual can forget
something and in the case of a disabled student that can be crucial. If a
student pursues a claim for discrimination against an individual then that
will cause things to change - eventually. The culture of the organisation
will change slowly. But students are reluctant to complain and that is
probably not the best way forward.

I think that what is necessary is a reminder to the individual at the time
they are contemplating a module to teach. Consideration of reasonable
adjustments and finding out about the clientele should form part of this
reminder. A departmental head, module or team leader, or whosoever is
responsible for allowing a new module should not sign off a module unless
s/he is satisfied that these have been borne in mind. This could be a set of
detailed instructions provided by the lecturer for that lecturer to follow
such as: make sure the room is booked, all audio equipment required is also
booked, the needs of disabled students on the course have been considered,
etc. (the latter should include ways of finding out what these are).
That way at the point when these should be considered they will be. The
individual does not have to depend on a reminder about their
responsibilities given way before. Of course this does depend on an
individual lecture's professionalism but that should be taken for granted.

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian F.
Sent: 07 September 2007 02:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Notifications to academic depts of students with disabilities

Hi
 You could get your human resources department to remind all (newly 
recruited) tutors of their duties under the DDA e.g. that they take 
'reasonable steps to find out if someone is disabled' and that they don't 
make any assumptions about the ability of the student to participate in the 
course just because of the disability. Put the emphasis on tutors to find 
out if any of the students they are teaching have disclosed a disability, 
and if so, how best to support them.

Ian Francis


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Heather Griffiths" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: Notifications to academic depts of students with disabilities


We have the same sort of problem, of getting info to the right people.
We send it to programme leaders and subject heads, but then the
leaders for each module dont seem to get it. The college is keen on us
setting up a central system from which tutors can access info on their
students.  but it obviously has implications for confidentiality.

Heather

________________________________

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
on behalf of Callaghan, Brigid
Sent: Thu 06/09/2007 09:34
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Notifications to academic depts of students with disabilities



Hi -   how do you over come the issue of:   notifying academic depts
of
students with disabilities and the adjustments needed, when the
students
are on modular course which change frequently?

Currently, we send notifications to School Administrators who are
responsible for disseminating the info to academic staff.  They say,
when something changes, e.g. a tutor, they don't know when it happens,
who the new tutor is and therefore can't pass on the info.

Anyone else have this problem?

I am sure there is a simple answer, but at the moment I can't think
what
it is!  Help?
Cheers

***********************************************************
Brigid Callaghan
Senior Disability Adviser
Student Services
University of Bolton
Deane Rd
Bolton
BL3 5AB
[log in to unmask]
To make an appointment: 01204  903733.
Direct line: 01204 903803
Minicom: 01204 903490

P. Please do not print off this email unless absolutely necessary -
save
the planet.
***********************************************************


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