If there is a sense of panic there really shouldn't be; since those
who have been following the trends concerning the provision of
inclusive education at all levels will understand the social and other
benefits to be gained from widening participation and access in
education.
We need to keep a sense of perspective. SENDA did not suddenly
appear on our doorsteps last September. Although education was
originally exempt from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 the
provision of services and information was not. Although I am not
aware of any legal challenges to this University (so far) I am aware
that those organising events such as public conferences were
advised by people such as myself how to make the appropriate
provision for wheel chair users, etc. Similarly the QAA for HE
guidelines went through a consultation phase before publication.
Section 3: Student with disabilites was published in 1999 with the
expectation that the precepts of this code would be adhered to by
Autumn 2000.
The changes in the signage, speaking lifts, induction loops, wide
doors, etc at this university have been brought about because of a
willingness to reduce barriers to learning and teaching. Indeed, it
was quite possible for David Blunket to give a keynote speech at
Greenwich a couple of years ago. Although some buildings remain
inaccessible to wheelchair users, it is becoming easier to access
most.
It has been a difficult but rewarding challenge to influence these
changes particularly since the QAA guidelines have a wider
definition of disability than the DDA, i.e. it recognises that disability
may be temporary as a result of accident or illness or fluctuating.
Furthermore impairments "may have little impact on day to day life
but may have a major impact on a student's study or vice versa".
Precept 10 of the QAA Code, section three requires that "The
delivery of programmes should take into account the needs of
disabled people or, where appropriate, be adapted to accomodate
their individual requirements". One of the associated guidance
points is "ensuring that any courseware and electronic learning
materials are fully accessible to disabled students using, if
necessary, alternative hard ware or software". I have devised
University guidelines for "Developers of Online Course Materials
and Web-based Content - Satisfying the W3C WAI Priority One
Accessibility Standards" and I am presenting the paper at the 2nd
European WebCT Conference in January.
The staff training and support I provide have always included
accessibility guidance and this knowlege has made it possible for
a totally blind distance learning student to partiicpate in a Masters
course using WebCT as the VLE. This has been a valuable and
rewarding experience that I am happy to share with anyone who is
interested.
Shirley
Date sent: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 20:11:29 +0000
Send reply to: Virtual Learning Environments <[log in to unmask]>
From: Malcolm Ryan <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: the debate on accessibility
To: [log in to unmask]
> I think you are right when you say there is a sense of panic - a need (fear) to
> comply without the necessary thinking abut the issues.
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Malcolm Ryan (Flexible Learning Co-ordinator)
> School of Education & Training, University of Greenwich, Maritime Greenwich
> Campus
> Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, Greenwich, London. SE10 9LS
>
> TEL: +44 (0)208-331-9741/9230 FAX: +44 (0)208-331-9235
> E-mail: [log in to unmask] URL:
> http://gre-guns2.gre.ac.uk/pcet/pcetweb.nsf
> Work at home: +44 (0)208-488-6614 Mobile: 07808-594930 (SMS facility)
>
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> Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
> The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
> To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
____________________________________________________
Shirley Ambrose BA MSc FIITT
Academic \ Curriculum Support Coordinator
Information and Library Services
University of Greenwich
Room 113, Riverside House
Beresford Street
London SE18 6BU
Telephone: +44 020 8331 9164
E Mail: [log in to unmask]
Home page: http://www.gre.ac.uk/~as13
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