It's been good to find out what other support
universities are offering. Thank you to everyone that has
contributed
--
Claire Allan
Adviser For Students With
Disabilities
Stu Advisory & Couns
University of Abertay Dundee
In the UK top ten for lowest student debts upon completing university (Push
Student Debt Survey 2008)
The University of Abertay Dundee is a charity registered in Scotland, No:
SC016040
At the University of Surrey we managed to obtain
funding from the Widening Access Fund for a 2 year project which has enabled us
to put on a 3 day induction programme for the first year students with
ASCs. Last year we had a new intake of 10 students and this year we are
anticipating 8. The students appear keen to participate in the programme
as it enables them to get used to the campus and key members of staff in their
departments and support services before the rest of the first years
arrive. As disability advisors we are also able to get to know the
students quite well at the start of the academic year. Putting support in
place early seems to aid their transition into university
life.
The sort of activities we put on are a mixture of
social and orientation exercises. They go to the local leisure centre,
cinema, restaurant in town as well as getting to register for their course
early, meet key staff such as personal tutors undergraduate administrators,
counselling staff, accommodation wardens etc. We also encourage them to
get used to using the kitchen in their accommodation blocks. They receive
talks from security, the student union, health centre staff, sports centre staff
and so on to try and encourage them to access these and other services.
The group of students get to know each other and are able to use each other as a
support mechanism during the first few weeks; some have gone on to form quite
good friendships with each other. We employ a number of mentors/support
workers to run the programme, some of which continue to support individual
students when their course starts.
Last year was quite successful with nearly
all of the group continuing into year 2. Hopefully we will get a
similar response this year. I would say that setting up such a
programme is time consuming but in terms of getting the students engaged with
their studies and new life as soon as possible it seems to help. Any
issues that do arise are more easily dealt with as the students feel more
confident about approaching someone who they have got to know. Hopefully
it will also lead to more successful outcomes for this group of
students.
Regards,
Rob Fidler
If people reply to this, could they make sure they reply to the list
as well as Claire, as I'd also be interested in other HEIs take on
this.
Thanks,
Simon
Allan, Claire wrote:
[log in to unmask]
type="cite">
Hi
everyone,
I am planning a
pre-orientation event for new students disclosing Asperger's Syndrome. I
am planning to include information on the disability service, accommodation,
familiarisation with the city centre and also the university
campus/library.
I was just
wondering if other universities did something similar and if anyone had any
suggestions about what
other things I
could include. In particular any activities for accompaning
parents!
--
Claire
Allan
Adviser For Students With Disabilities
Stu Advisory &
Couns
University of Abertay Dundee
In the UK top ten for lowest student debts upon completing university (Push
Student Debt Survey 2008)
The University of Abertay Dundee is a charity registered in Scotland, No:
SC016040
--
Simon Jarvis
Head of Disability & Dyslexia Service
Queen Mary University of London
Student and Campus Services
Room FB 2.30, Francis Bancroft
Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Tel: 020 7882 2765
Fax: 020 7882 5223
www.scs.qmul.ac.uk
