Hi Pippa
The Voice Care network http://www.voicecare.org.uk/ are an organisation that are very helpful. They have been here and run workshops for academic staff on voice care. I am less than impressed with Access to Work of late. They tend to be over zealous in their recommendations for equipment that is often not required or used. The individuals expectations get raised that a solution has been found and it is often not. You would be surprised at the amount of unused AtoW recommended equipment that is lying around in organisations. Plus if it is an academic institution with more than a 1000 staff and it is an existing employee you will only get assistance with funding after the first £1000.00
Most academic institutions have IT departments that can set up lecture theatres with Audio visual equipment so it might just be worth sounding them out first.
She will fall within the Equality Act so they are required to consider 'reasonable adjustments'. It's difficult to advise how much adjustment you can recommend it is for the school/department to decide how much they can accommodate. As she already has a teaching/learning assistant in place then I would suspect she is already struggling with the full remit of her role. You will need to establish whether she has a teaching only role or is still Research Active and has admin responsibilities as well. If she's full time It might be worth exploring whether a permanent reduction in hours can be agreed. This would be considered a reasonable adjustment rather than lose her job. This may improve her overall fatigue levels and therefore her voice. Ultimately depending on how much of her role she can no longer do Ill Health Retirement could be an option.
You can contact me direct on 01227 827002 if you wish to discuss.
Sue
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pippa Stanford
Sent: 17 November 2011 18:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Voice difficulties
Dear List
Please may I have your esteemed advice in relation to equipment to assist a lecturer with MS in terms of voice audibility? I am to see her next week and understand that her learners are struggling to hear her, so would like to be well-versed. I am not sure if Access to Work would be able to assist with this - but think it is worth investigating.
Secondly for those of you with OH experience in Colleges, unis, schools - in your experience if someone with a disability such as MS is beginning to struggle with teaching hours/duties, what adjustments, if any, have been made in terms of reduced teaching/contact hours? This takes into account that other support such as Learning Assistant is in place. I realise that what is reasonable is not for us to decide, but the tricky thing can be when the individual is in fear of losing their job through capability issues.
With major pressures on lecturers and learning institutions at present it can be a tough environment for all, far less if a condition is impacting on your functional capability. Any experience you can share would be helpful.
Many thanks.
Kind regards
Pippa Stanford
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
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