Dear All
I would like to enquire about other institutions policies of implementing support for students with diagnosis of Colorimeter Sensitivity/ Irlen’s syndrome but no SpLD.
We have a first year student who underwent a very basic screening for visual sensitivity at their previous institution which recommended coloured paper and a coloured overlay. The screening went on to recommend coloured lenses and further screening with a spectral filter diagnostician (Irlen Syndrome Diagnostician).
The student has informed us that they were screened for Specific Learning Difficulty alongside this assessment and no evidence of SpLD was found.
The student proceeded with applying for DSA on this evidence alone to their Welsh LEA before commencing their studies at our institution. The LEA granted DSA and the student received an Assessment of Needs report. Within this report the student has been recommended specialist equipment and software, the further Colorimeter Sensitivity screening and referral for lenses and general allowance. In addition within the report the student has also been recommended to be able to record taught sessions, receive extended library loans, and exam arrangements in the form of extra time, separate room, a reader and coloured paper.
As far as our service has been aware, we have been advised by SFE that students with visual sensitivity alone, would not be eligible for DSA. However, it seems that the Welsh LEA have a different interpretation of the guidelines. Have any other institutions had experience of this?
In regards to the lecture, library and exam arrangements, normally the institution would only implement the provision of colour paper and overlays for students with visual sensitivity and no SpLD, however, we are keen to know what other institutions implement in this situation, we are particularly interested in the type of examination arrangements implemented with the above diagnosis?
Many thanks
Emily Tamara Jones (Maiden name Colyer)
Disability Support Officer
University of Chester
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01244 511023
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