DDA - are uni obiliged to do something?

Indie_Kid

I am partially sighted and am on a computer course - this obviously means I have to spend a lot of time of the computer.

About 3-4 months before I got my results, I emailed the head of department and asked if all the computers in the uni were widescreen (17" plus) and he said yes.

One of the rooms only has computers which are 15" - the only way I can see the screen is to set it to the lowest resolution; but that means I lose half of my page.

I do have a laptop (17.3") provided by DSA - but I don't see why I have to bring my laptop in when no-one has to and getting wireless is difficult. (my laptop is wireless - I think it's their end)

Do uni (under DDA) have to provide larger monitors? The silly thing is, it depends what toom I'm in - one just has 22" monitors and one of the others just has 15" monitors.

MrsManda

Do you ever have to use the computer room with smaller monitors? I.e. do you have classes in there?
If yes, then they ought to make sure you are able to use a larger monitor (providing your DSA assessment states that you need a monitor of that size). If no, then there's no reason they should make sure all the computers have larger monitors.
The point of having a laptop through the DSA IS so that you are not disadvantaged in your studies because you can take it with you. If it was only for use at home you'd have been given a desktop computer.

Lokolo

Also I used to take my laptop into lessons and classes as I trust my laptop than my pendrive!

ninja-lewis

Have you tried asking if they can simply switch one of the monitors around?

Indie_Kid

MrsManda wrote: »

Do you ever have to use the computer room with smaller monitors? I.e. do you have classes in there?

Yes.

The only reason why I have a laptop through DSA is because I find them much easier to use than a PC and my parents paid the £50 for the upgrade.

Indie_Kid

MrsManda wrote: »

If yes, then they ought to make sure you are able to use a larger monitor (providing your DSA assessment states that you need a monitor of that size).

Yes, my DSA assessment does state that I do need a large monitor.

[Deleted User]

If you take an ethernet cable with you, you could just plug your laptop directly into the network and not worry about wireless signals..

Indie_Kid

True, but if I wasn't disabled I wouldn't have this problem in the first place.

They do have the ethernet cables to plug into the back of the computers; but it's not quite long enough.

MrsManda

In terms of connecting to the wireless network have you spoken to the IT helpdesk about getting your laptop connected? I know a lot of students find it difficult because generally you have to click on the connection from your laptop then download VPN software. Once that's been downloaded you can connect to the university network, open the VPN, input your university login, wait for connection then you have full access.

Indie_Kid

No I haven't. But I don't understand why I shoul have to carry my laptop around with me (it weighs almost 3kg) just so I'm a level playing fiels with everyone else - ie, I can do my work.

mallard

Hi...am uni lecturer so have a little knowledge. Firstly your ownership of the laptop has nothing to do with it especially as it came through the DSA. The university has an obligation to ensure that all its users have equality of access and are not unduly discriminated against. It would be reasonable that they provided larger monitors to meet the needs of visually impaired students. If they want you to carry a laptop then all students have to carry a laptop!!! So don't bother with the Head of Department - just find the local disability tutor in the school or faculty and discuss it with them. They can often kick start things when HoD won't. PM me if you need any more info....