Disabled students taking science degrees.

studentphil

misskool wrote:

zoology requires fieldwork, which may not be possible for a person with a disability.

what some unis have now is called natural sciences where they can pick and choose modules from different degrees, try and see who offers them, they can possibly tailor a best-fit.

It is really fine motor skills that are a problem, so fine stuff in a lab are very difficult for them.

Volcano

Friend of mine confined to a wheel chair is close to finishing a 4 year chemistry degree. He was provided with:

Campus accomodation for all 4 years, dedicated assistance as and when necessary for lab work and someone to take notes for him at ALL lectures as well as extra time in exams. He also has motor skill problems so hence why he receives help with practical stuff when needed. He got a Disabled Student's Allowance from his LEA that helps with all the extras costs associated with his disability and he doesn't have to pay it back.

If your friends course involved field trips then I can see how this may impede his studies, but if he wants to do a lab work heavy degree then there really shouldn't be anything stopping him. Recent legislation has obliged universities to improve access for disabled students and if my friend's experience is anything to go by, then the universities are making a real effort to comply.

studentphil

He went to one uni and they told him most of the lecture rooms had no disabled access, so that was a no no for start.

studentphil

Anyone got any idea which sciences have least lab work?

cupid_s

I'm not sure about what have least lab work. But someone who did my course at uni (who sadly is no longer with us) was deaf, almost blind, and had numerous other problems. He did a very practical based degree and got a good 2.1. At one point he had to go for almost weekly blood transfusions so he was persuaded to take his final two years over three instead but everyone bent over backwards to help him. He had someone to take notes and assist in the fine tuning bits of practicals and went on to (almost complete) a PhD.
If your friend wants to do any type of science, then he shouldn't feel restricted because of his disability.

studentphil

I hope there will be really help there for him in the labs because if not it will be a big problem. I just sort of have this fear that no one will notice any problems until he has been there months and his reports are getting failed and they are threatening to throw him off the course.

crazyscientist

studentphil wrote:

I just sort of have this fear that no one will notice any problems until he has been there months and his reports are getting failed and they are threatening to throw him off the course.

This really shouldnt be the case if your friend makes sure that his department is aware of his problems and the need for extra assistance. If he tries to hide it then yes, it may take months for it to be randomly 'noticed' as its very hard to take special note of every single member of a 200-strong practical class.

In my experience of teaching undergrad practicals and tutorials, every effort is made to accomodate all students. For example, assessors are made aware of problems like dyslexia to allow a little more leniency when marking written work. I can't see there being a problem with providing a little extra assistance in lab classes.

Also, i dont know his exact medical problems. But it might be important for you to know that in most undergrad lab practicals students actually work in pairs. And so if it really is just the fine motor stuff he would struggle with then maybe finding a supportive and helpful lab-mate might be a big help. Combine this with a little extra attention from the academic/postgrad helpers/technicians running the practicals and he should be OK.

studentphil

Crazyscientist, How much are teachers made aware of students with disabilities in your class? I know at some places lecturers think SEN is nawt to do with them and actively try not to offer help to SEN students.

studentphil

Budding him with an another student for lab work wont work as he may hold them back. I am sorry to say it might be hard to get someone to work with him.

Volcano

He went to one uni and they told him most of the lecture rooms had no disabled access

pretty disgusting and virtually illegal I would have thought unless it was one of the upper class elitist institutions.....

All of my disabled friend's lectures were held in rooms that had disabled access SPECIFICALLY because of him, even though 40 other students didn't need disabled access. The science faculty really went out of their way to accommodate him.

Students work in pairs in labs to save space and equipment, not because it's quicker. I'd rather work with someone who tries (even if I do 90% of the work), rather than be paired with a waster who couldn't care less and lets me do it all (and I've done both before). A lot of times you don't choose who you work with but you are assigned someone (hence me and Mr Waster!) and your friend will make friends.

I know at some places lecturers think SEN is nawt to do with them and actively try not to offer help to SEN students.

If the university has a disabled policy then the lecturers will be accountable to that, if he doesn't think he is getting the help he needs then he can complain through the relevant procedures.

I still think that if a science degree is what your friend wants then he shouldn't be put off doing it. Many modern degrees cross over disciplines, Chemistry with Management Studies, Geophysics, Environmental Science covers a vast swathe of stuff, and it is still possible within these degrees to pick courses that steer away from labs (though there will be a certain amount of compulsory courses).

I think it's important he goes to a few university open days to talk to the staff there. They can advise on specific courses and show him course programs to give an idea of how much lab (if any) is expected.