Coincidentally I have just refused notetaking support for a dyslexic
student. There was nothing to indicate in either the Educational
Psychologists report or the Study Aids and Study Strategies that their
dyslexia was so severe as to warrant such support. The only justification
given was that the student in question "had difficulty" in making
effective notes from recorded lectures.
My feeling (and my suggestion to the Disabilities Officer concerned) was
that perhaps this was an academic issue that would better be addressed
through specialist tuition sessions.
I hate to generalise but I would agree wholeheartedly that notetaking
support for students with dyslexia should be very much the exception, be
supported with a sound, disability related justification and only agreed
when all other strategies have been fully explored.
St.John Skeates
Awards Section
Bedfordshire County Council
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Hill [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 2:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]; Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm
Subject: Notetakers for dyslexic students
Hi
We have a few dyslexic students at UCW who have notetaker
support for lectures. They have this support because their literacy
or handwriting skills are particularly weak. As other dyslexic
students become aware of this service, I am receiving requests
from others to be provided with similar facilities.
My feeling is that, for those with dyslexia, notetaker support should
be the exception - rather than the norm; rather, students should be
encouraged/helped to develop more effective notetaking
strategies, backed up, perhaps by dictaphone use.
I'm just wondering what criteria Access Centres and other HEIs
apply in recommending this type of support.
Advice gratefully received.
Regards
Peter Hill
Peter J Hill
Disability Coordinator
Equal Opportunities Centre
Woodbury F50
University College Worcester
Henwick Grove
Worcester
WR2 6AJ
Tel: 01905 855413
Email: [log in to unmask]
*********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed.
If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please advise the sender immediately
by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.
Please also destroy and delete the message from your computer.
Any modification of the contents of this e-mail is strictly prohibited
unless expressly authorised by the sender.
*********************************************************************
|