Sorry, absolutely.  Got a bit carried away with the concept.  Its always 
great when students post to the list - I wish there was more of it.  Their 
contributions invariably give a different and valuable perspective.
Caroline

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Felicity Burgess" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: use of language - apology


> But is it supposed to be a 'virtual staff room'?
>
> The header of the list suggests that it is a 'discussion list for disabled
> students and their support staff'; ergo, not a staff room.  The feeling
> that this is in any way a 'staff room' could discourage students from
> posting.
>
>
>
> Quoting Caroline Davies <[log in to unmask]>:
>
>> Dear Alex,
>>
>> I would like to endorse Karen's comments and to say that my complaint to
>> the
>> list owner was not in relation to an email from you.
>>
>> I do think it is important that everyone who posts to disforum uses
>> language
>> that is considered and considerate.  I would certainly not want this to
>> stifle genuine discussion (or controversy) and information sharing,
>> because
>> that's what disforum is all about.  It is an invaluable 'virtual staff
>> room'.  I hope that the list owner will now think it sensible to provide
>> some useful guidance for contributors.
>>
>> kind regards,
>>
>> Caroline
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Karen Farmer" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 2:23 PM
>> Subject: Re: use of language - apology
>>
>>
>> Dear Alex
>>
>> Being one of those named in your message - thank you for the courteous
>> apology.
>>
>> While I may occasionally have not appreciated the form in which you have
>> expressed your opinions, I have never doubted that you are committed to
>> supporting students, which is after all what we are all here for.
>>
>> Personally, I look forward to your continued contributions to this list,
>> and
>> it would be a shame if any of us felt that we could not properly air a
>> genuine concern, or make reasonable enquiries - particulary if the topic
>> under discussion is likely to be perceived by others as contentious or
>> sensitive.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> K
>>
>>
>>
>> Karen Farmer
>> DSA Needs Assessor
>> Learning Support
>> University of Bedfordshire
>> Park Square, Luton
>> LU1 3HZ
>>
>> Tel: 01582 74 3422
>> Internal ext: 3422
>> Fax:  01582 489349
>>
>>
>> >>> [log in to unmask] 18/04/2007 13:31:55 >>>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>> apologies for cross posting this message...
>>   I would like to apologise to Karen, Caroline and any other colleagues
>> who
>> may have found my messages offensive or inappropriate. They are not
>> intended
>> to be and my intention is purely to find out whether students are
>> receiving
>> the best possible service and are being given value for money and the
>> excellence of service which they deserve and should be entitled to. The
>> feedback I receive from many students I work with, and I work with a lot
>> of
>> students, is that they often feel let down by the systems in place to
>> help
>> them. That's not to say that a lot of them aren't also grateful, thankful
>> and appreciative - they are. My starting point was to ask for evidence
>> from
>> students and those who work with students, and take that forward to an
>> appropriate authority. This seems to have been met by a combination of
>> appreciation and praise off list, and sometimes animosity and
>> discouragement
>> on list from service providers, assessors and access centre managers. I
>> am
>> not saying that my opinion is the only opinion and that I am right. I am
>> just saying that I feel that there is room for improvement in any sector
>> and
>> that the way to achieve that improvement is through encouraging and
>> gathering feedback, which is seriously considered and acted on and not
>> just
>> binned and dismissed as ill informed and just a few complaining students.
>>  I
>> believe I can, as any competent disability officer / practitioner should
>> be
>> able to, tell the difference between substance and distraction. I also
>> find
>> that the students who don't complain or make little or no noise at all
>> are
>> the ones often most in need of help. I am copying this message to several
>> forums as I want my apology and my own opinion to be available to anyone
>> who
>> wants it, needs it, deserves it etc. This is likely to be one of my last
>> on-list postings for a while on this subject as I intend to take my
>> concerns
>> and evidence elsewhere. I am still very happy to receive on-list or
>> off-list
>> messages with comments, concerns and criticisms. I will also participate
>> where appropriate in disussions where I feel I have something positive to
>> contribute, as I feel and believe is the spirit of these lists.
>> I would also be happy on this occasion for this message to be forwarded
>> to
>> the ASASA list as I no longer have rights to post to that list
>> unfortunately.
>>  Thank you. Alex Alex [log in to unmask] 561 877 or  07916 175
>> 077Freelance Assistive Technology TrainerFreelance study needs
>> assessorFormer Disability Officer
>> MNADP
>> _________________________________________________________________
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>