As far as I am aware there is nothing in the law to say that you can't discriminate in favour of disabled students but the DDA makes it clear that you can't discriminate against them. I suspect there will be a large amount of case law around reasonable adjustments in the next few years. It may be advisable to contact the Disability Rights Commission. If they say that it is OK to insist on the written paper this may help if you have to defend a DDA claim at a later date.
Tony
-----Original Message-----
From: Jerrison, Rebecca [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 September 2002 18:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: deaf student and written examination
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
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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
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