Hi

Have you asked the student how he/she feels about this? Disabled students
tend to be more careful in the lab because they know they have to be.
Second, the departments see this stand-in doing the experiments (I can't
remember the word!) is the solution. I think (as do others) that it is a cop
out. A student who has difficulties in experiments is not going to get a job
as an experimenter, they wouldn't apply. I have been trying to get
departments to realize this and to provide alternatives to experimental
work. This would be far more sensible. Example: in physics, a mathematical
alternative would be appropriate. This makes the student more involved with
their own degree (more able to participate in person) and also removes all
this nonsense about equipment or assistants being shipped in. Experiments
were designed assuming certain physical abilities. Where these abilities do
not exist, it seems silly to 'make up for them' except where this can be
easily achieved and the student able to fully participate. The departments
take this stance because it is easier than change and they fear a fall in
standards. It is demoralizing to a student to be excluded and reinforces the
'disability' tag. I would be interested to hear what other people think.
Science/math is the hardest subject area for disabled students to get into.
The way it is taught excludes. Not deliberately, but things need to change.
Attitudes need to change. 

Regards

Esme


On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 17:53:02 +0000, [log in to unmask] wrote:

>  We have a student here at Hope studying Environmental and Biological
studies and he has a support worker with him at all times for personal care
and academic support.  His support worker carries out all his lab work under
the students instructions and the department involved are doing everything
they can to ensure the student can undertake all aspects of his course. 
This also entails trips to the French alps and trips to wales.  In this
students case I do not feel the student will want to go to France but  I can
find no faults with the depts involved.  The only worry they have at present
is the safety issue as the students face is at bench height and they are
worried over any spills or splashes when the student would not be able to
move out of the way.  They have considered a visor instead of just goggles
to protect his face but they are worried about the rest of him and also the
need to rearrange the lab to ensure all students escape route from the labs
are not obstructed.
>  I know we have all heard the health and safety issues before but this is
not a case of a dept trying to get out of something but a dept looking at
their responsibilities carefully.
>  Any advice would be welcome.
>  Sheila watts
>  
>





_______________________________________________________
Say Bye to Slow Internet!
http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html



%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%