CHESS MEETING
NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY 7th MAY, 1999 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Present:
Anna Barrett Nottingham Trent University
Chris Baxter Nottingham Trent University
Alexia Blohm DeafSTART
Margaret Burke Sheffield Hallam
Gail Carter University of Leeds
Sandra Chilton University of Northumbria
Anne Crocker City Lit
Julie Hurd Doncaster College for Deaf Students
Jean Kapcia Staffordshire Assist
Helga McGilp National Deaf Children's Society
Judith Mole University of Wolverhampton
Sally Olohan Nottingham Trent University
Daphne Payne University of Reading
Nicky Richards SASU/Coventry Technical College
Cheron Stevenson University of Derby
Jo Sutherland Sheffield Hallam University
Adele Weedon West Notts. College
Debra York Staffordshire Assist
Apologies
Stephen Almy University of Plymouth
Paul Arnold CSW
Caroline Davies University of North London
Val Green Manchester Metropolitan University
Maggie Guiry City Lit
C.A. Moran University of Huddersfield
Judith Jackson University of Reading
Denise Jones Southampton University Access Centre
Rebecca Langley Southampton Institute
Chris Macallister Glasgow Caledonian University
Patricia Montaldo University of Brighton
Rob Rodgers Derby College for Deaf People
Liz Sutherland eQuip Team
Rosemary Turner eQuip Team
Mike Wald University of Southampton
Gail Carter welcomed everyone to the University of Leeds.
1. Minutes of the last Meeting
The Minutes from the meeting on 14th December at the University of Reading
were read and approved. There were no amendments.
(i) Matters arising
The working paper on exam arrangements is still to be completed.
Copies will be distributed for additions. This document may prove helpful
when members are making representation on behalf of deaf students to
examination boards etc.
(ii) ESRC funding
Chris Baxter reported that an email had been sent to Dr. Catrin
Roberts and an acknowledgement had been received. Following the appointment
of a new chair; Professor Desforges, Liz Sutherland had suggested a
'reworked' letter be sent as a reminder. Chris has this in hand to do in the
next month.
Action CB
(iii) Focus on HE
Concern was expressed that this course may not run, there not being
enough demand for this year. Members were disappointed as some had referred
students they felt in need of the course and now there seemed to be nothing
to offer them.
Comments were received about accepting deaf students onto courses when they
were 'not ready'. Career Counselling should be undertaken prior to
application. Admissions stage is too late. It was suggested that the course
again be highlighted and publicised in the minutes to ask FE colleagues to
encourage students to apply for the course where appropriate.
2. Admissions Procedures
A discussion began about Admissions Procedures & Policies. It was agreed to
carry this forward for the next meeting as an agenda item. Members are asked
to consider offering an overview of their own practice, possibly bringing
one case study each to illustrate the point.
3. HEFCE Special Initiative Strand 2 Bid
A recent bid by Nottingham Trent tabled for comment, as this is a
confidential document Sally Olohan felt it inappropriate to mail to all 93
members. A request from the membership for a precis of salient points.
Action S0
4. Wolverhampton d/Deaf Induction Programme
Judith Mole spoke about the above. This takes place pre-enrolment during
freshers' week. Beneficial to all deaf students, although BSL users tended
to meet together anyway due to being on the same course etc.
Wolverhampton felt it important to give students as much information as
possible. Information was wide ranging not just about support but also
financial and local information, how to register at the Health Centre etc.
Invited guest speakers. One section on how to use support had been seriously
underestimated for time allowance; obviously a key issue and important to
allow enough time for this.
The event was for 2 days and included a social event. The information
supplemented information given during induction and complemented this well.
Similar event at Sheffield Hallam Staffordshire ASSIST and SASU including
definition of student responsibility.
A discussion began about how information should be given to Deaf students to
ensure they budget their DSA correctly Suggestion to move this to an agenda
item for the next meeting was agreed.
Should Universities be providing separate induction for Disabled Students?
Information sheets and an invitation should be adequate, sometimes induction
sessions labelled "Disabled" can put people off . Induction for Deaf
students should be separate from Disabled sessions otherwise communication
can become a logistical nightmare.
5 Support Services for Deaf Students in Higher Education
Helga McGilp has collated information on Universities she approached on
support services available and how many deaf students currently at the
University. This was in response to many enquiries received from Deaf
people wanting to apply to Universities trying to find out information.
Members felt this was a useful resource. Helga asked that members check the
details and let her know of any changes, also to keep her informed of any
future changes. This information could go on the CHESS website which is
currently at planning stage with South Bank University.
6. Any Other Business
(i) Exam Arrangements
Anne Crocker from City Lit sought guidance on a request she had had from a
Deaf Law Student who wanted to have her exam paper translated into BSL and
wanted to sign her responses which would be voiced over by an interpreter.
No notetakers or video's were requested. This was agreed by tutor. However
City Lit had reservations. Members present shared the concerns and were
surprised at the request.
Issues raised:
Course is delivered in English and has high literacy requirement, therefore
an expectation that students will need to have English Language skills.
Support staff must protect themselves and make sure there is evidence that
interpretation was faithful.
Do the exam regulations allow for this?
Is the student afraid of the exam - will this really make it better?
A video might be acceptable
At University of Wolverhampton students have submitted work on video, all
reported they would never repeat the experience.
Language important in law cannot be interpreted fairly for multiple choice
questions where differences are extremely subtle.
Student should be asked why she does not wish to be video'd.
(ii) CHESS Logo and Website
Chris Baxter. An offer has been received from South Bank University of
develop a website for CHESS. Although CHESS doesn't have anything to put on
yet, this was warmly welcomed by members. A need for a CHESS logo was
raised and Julie Hurd from Doncaster College offered to approach Graphic
Design students for this.
Chris Baxter to contact South Bank University and say yes, Julie
Hurd to send logo to next meeting for approval.
ACTION JH & CB
(iii) Charges for Membership
A long discussion took place and it was finally agreed that £25 for
membership in the first year was an appropriate amount. This would come
into effect when NTU's project ended in January 2000.
The administration of CHESS is open to offers please contact Chris
Baxter to discuss what is involved and to express an interest.
Daphne Payne felt it important to encourage academics to
attend CHESS meetings and become involved. Issues such as exam arrangements
are academics responsibilities and it is important that academics work with
support services.
Daphne Payne suggested an agenda item at a future meeting should be
the issue of Deaf people's access to teacher training, this is currently
severely limited. Generic teaching, or just teacher of the deaf ought to be
achievable for Deaf people.
DDA should cover anyone wishing to teach, in reality Deaf people are
a minority discriminated against not least by the medical fitness for
teaching criteria. It is the responsibility of all people involved in
working with Deaf people to adopt the Social Model and inform all parties of
the oppression and social issues of deafness in this respect.
A meeting at Derby is discussing Deaf people's career structures,
some recommendations are expected from this meeting.
Information from Judith Mole at University of Wolverhampton
Information on BASLIN Black and Asian Sign Language Interpreters, further
information available from JM (see attached leaflet)
Deaf UK jobs advertises jobs for people who wish to work with Deaf
people. Advertising on it can be done through JM (email address
[log in to unmask]
A march to campaign for the recognition of BSL is organised for
Saturday 27th June in London by the Federation of Deaf People, a
flyer accompanies these minutes, please encourage students and anyone
interested to go.
Access To Work (ATW) for work placements at the University of
Wolverhampton have been successful in securing funding for interpreters
this is for paid work experience only. Although not easy, this should
be borne in mind as possible for deaf students.
News from SKILL, the government decision to remove DSA from people over 50
has been withdrawn.
Helga McGilp reported that part-time students in Scotland were receiving the
Scottish equivalent of DSA.
Next meeting Wednesday 24th November at Nottingham Trent all agenda items to
Chris Baxter by 17th November.
Many thanks to Gail Carter for hosting this meeting
Chris Baxter
Service Co-ordinator
Disability Support
The Nottingham Trent University
Burton Street
Nottingham
NG1 4BU
0115 9486163 Voice
0115 8484366Minicom
0115 8484371 Fax
email [log in to unmask]
http://www.ntu.ac.uk/sss/
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