Accommodating a student doing forensic lab work
A Forensics lecturer supported a mature undergraduate student with multiple disabilities, enabling them to successfully complete their lab assessment.
An inclusive and proactive matriculation process meant that the student was encouraged to share information about their dyslexia and mobility issues at the very start of their time at university. Information about access needs are readily available to staff via a student dashboard.
The lecturer provided and guided the student鈥檚 use of Word in order to access and customise Standard Operating Procedure documents, adjusting background contrast settings and font sizes to make the text easier to read. Providing a specific type of chair and positioning the student close to facilities such as the toilets helped to reduce the impact of mobility barriers within the lab. Additionally, the student was offered extra time to complete the assessment.
Additional direct support, provided by an Hourly Paid Lecturer, included showing how highlighting the text could help to keep track of progress through the fairly lengthy 20 step process. Students are typically required to stand during experiments, to avoid the risk of spillages landing in their laps. This student identified the need for a seat with back support and was provided with a plastic, wipeable chair with a cover. The chair also had an adjustable back support. As a result of both interventions, the student was able to complete the lab assessment without using any of the additional time offered.
My colleagues who teach them are all aware of their needs and would always make accommodation for them. I think the challenge is when you've got a student who doesn't say that they're dyslexic