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A few thoughts on this genuinely tricky issue: 1. Is the exam testing subject knowledge or the ability to write in English without the use of any Technological or Human Aids to Communication? Would you also prevent a dyslexic student from using a spellchecker, for example? 2. If using an Interpreter for the exam produces a satisfactory outcome then the process can be said to have tested the student's knowledge. And this strategy is used by some Deaf adults in the workplace. 3. If the student writes in note form or in his/her usual English, will he/she be marked down? 4. How has the students tackled non-exam written work? If the student's strategy is to sign and an interpreter translates into English (not transcribes, as this word would imply that the student is signing in English and I presume they wish to use BSL) then if this strategy has been acceptable until now, why is it no longer so? 5. This is not a situation exactly equivalent to non-English speaking students, as they can attend courses to improve their English skills. As hearing people, we fail and therefore disable Deaf people by our inability to teach them English in the existing Education system. 6. If this is a request from a student starting this year, then I would initially be more concerned as to how they will access the written material essential to their study and produce course work. From my limited experience, many interpreters are not skilled in moving from BSL to written English....as they do not usually have specific skills training in this. And will the student require all English-based material to be produced as a BSL video? 7. If an interpreter is used in exam conditions, you would have to do some pilot work to establish what would be a reasonable amount of time to allow for the exam. 8. Finally, has the student used this strategy previously? because while it sounds easy enough to sign and the interpreter then translates into written English, when you actually come to do it, the process is not as simple. For example, the Deaf person signs, there is then a pause while the interpreter translates and the Deaf person then continues. This is not equivalent to writing in connected prose and can be a lengthy process. This means of producing written English is certainly slow, and one possible alternative is for the Deaf student to sign an assignment onto video camera and the interpreter translates at a later time. This, however, makes editing of the assignment more difficult. Rebecca, I am very interested in this topic and do give me a ring if you would like to discuss it further. ATB Claire > > On 13 Sep 02, at 13:48, Jerrison, Rebecca wrote: > > > > > Hi > > > I'd welcome some advice about a profoundly deaf student > > > who wants to answer exam papers by signing to an > > > interpreter for transcription on the grounds that his first > > > language is BSL. The University's position is normally > > > that answers must be provided in English and this rule is > > > applied strictly to international students. Other deaf > > > students that we have argue that the use of BSL would give > > > this one student an unfair advantage and that they have > > > been required to sit all public exams (such as A > > > level)writing in English although extra time may be > > > granted. > > > > > > Does /would your institution allow deaf students to use a > > > BSL interpreter rather than do a written examination? > > > What would you consider a reasonable adjustment? > > > > > > Thanks in anticipation > > > > > > Beckie > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------- > > > Beckie Jerrison > > > Disability Co-ordinator > > > Disability Resource Centre, 1E22 > > > University of the West of England > > > Frenchay Campus > > > Coldharbour Lane > > > Bristol BS16 1QY > > > > > > 0117 344 3931 > > > > > > Bryan Jones > > Disability Support Services Manager > > Tel: 020 8411 5367 > > > Bryan Jones > Disability Support Services Manager > Tel: 020 8411 5367 > ---------------------- Claire Wickham Director: Access Unit - Short Courses and Outreach University of Bristol Union Building Queen's Road Clifton Bristol BS8 1LN Tel: 0117 954 5710 Textphone: 0117 954 5715 Fax: 0117 954 5714 [log in to unmask]