> We currently support a number of students who are dyslexic. The support
> offered is 'specialist' and the sessions are geared to working on organisation
> of work and self to ensure 'a level playing field' so that students
> who find themselves disabled by the way in which the university requires
> them to study (ie Dyslexic students) have the disadvantaged addressed.
> Because the best way to address the disadvantage is to provide regular
> support from a specialist who has knowledge and expertise in the area
> of Dyslexia the student has additional expenses due to their disability
> and therefore are entirely appropriately supported by the DSA.
>
> It's a difficult argument and some authorities continue to disadvantage
> their students by refusing to pay. The important point to remember is
> that these 'support sessions' (I would avoid the word tutorial) are only
> provided to dyslexic students who require them because of their disability,
> they are not mainstream services which you, the institution, are fraudulently
> trying to pass on.
Sorry to repeat all the above, but I do not have time to precis it.
Chris's problem is a common one. When I have been asked to get
involved it has usually turned on the wording. As the song goes, it
ain't what you say but the way that you say it. LEAs refuse because
they assume the input is an extension to normal tuition and fail to
grasp that it is to address basic study skills defecits which arise
from the disability and not the course (though the extent of support
may be course related).
Dave Laycock MBE
Head of CCPD, Chair of NFAC
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5AL
tel. 0171-911-5161
fax. 0171-911-5162
WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
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