This is a very good idea and would be useful if.... Allow me to tell about a couple of instances and my conclusions. (Cup of tea and a comfy armchair required)
My daughter has a problem with colour additives in food and must be careful what she eats. At one stage, at her primary school, I noted that her self control had diminished and thought it a good idea to enlist the help of her teachers, so I wrote a note ........ I was completely unprepared for the lack of knowledge and the disbelief of the existence of the problem and the over reaction that I had to virtually educate the school single handed and direct them to the vast quantity of information available to the profession on the subject!
Second incident. While I was retraining after a period of unemployment it was necessary for me to explain that I had to take notes in order to retain anything I was being taught (I did not know then that I was dyslexic but had built up some strategies). From that point on I was mercilessly ridiculed and constantly reminded that note taking was not necessary! I am sure there were others in the group who would have found note taking useful but were put off by the reaction to myself.
The conclusion I draw from these two incidences, and others I have heard about, is that before any such CARD is used, as opposed to a manual on "the effects off and remedies for", substantial re-education of those who should know better would be required.
Peter Childs
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Student Technical Support
Hi-Grade, Southampton
-----Original Message-----
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Sent: 06 June 1997 17:45
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Subject: ID cards for disabled students
A member of out Equal Opportunities Working Group has suggested that it may be
useful if the College could offer some sort of card for disabled students and
those with unseen conditions that may, on occasion need special consideration.
This could save the potential embarassment of having to tell people each time.
Do any dis-forum members have any experience of offering this sort of card
within HEI's? If so, I would appreciate comments on its reception and any
design features which might be helpful.
Many thanks.
Clare Davies
Senior Student guidance officer
Nene College of Higher Education
Boughton Green Road
Northampton, NN2 7AL
e-mail [log in to unmask]
Fax 01604 792581
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