A very quick but considered response is that reasonable adjustments
should be made for the students 'disability', in this instance access
to the English Language since all international students are expected to
have attained a level of English appropriate for study in the UK. Now in
the case of a Deaf student there should be the availability to take the
test in BSL in which the student should be able to communicate
effectively (the alternative to English in this disability related case)
There should not be the option to take any test in any language if the
purpose is to assess 'English' levels. What does her assessment of needs
say? Why would it not be acceptable to receive all her assessments in
BSL?
Chris Baxter
Disability Service Co-ordinator
The Nottingham Trent University
Burton Street
Nottingham
NG1 4BU
0115 8486163 voice and minicom
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www.ntu.ac.uk/sss/disability/index.html
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-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pauline McInnes
Sent: 24 July 2005 15:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Deaf students and IELTS exams
Dear All,
We've just had a query from a profoundly Deaf student who is not a
native English or BSL user. She originally comes from Spain so I am
guessing that her first language is either Spanish or Spanish sign
language.
Anyway, all people who have English as their second language and wish to
our joint honours in Psychology and Sociology must take an IELTS (I
think I've spelt that right) and gain a score of 5.5.
Our Deaf student says this is discrimination because her written
language is going to be much poorer than her BSL skills. However, the
fact remains that she will still need to write in English as part of her
course and I very much doubt that it would be acceptable to replace all
her written assessments with assessments in sign language.
Should this student have to sit the IELTS test like all other students
or is this discrimination?
Any help on this one would be greatfully received.
Kind regards
Pauline
Pauline McInnes
Disability Co-ordinator
Disability Team
Student Services
St Mary's Road
Ealing
London
W5 5RF
Tel: 0208 231 2058
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