Disability access granted

On behalf of a member, SHA took up a case of a girl who would not have been able to take GCSE English this summer, under rules issued last September. She has multiple disabilities which make it impossible for her to read either conventional text or Braille.

After several months of discussion, the latest note that went out to examination centres allows for her to have a reader, with an endorsement on her certificate to that effect (which seems a good solution). It also permits candidates with hearing impairments to have a modified paper, a signer or a reader where eligible.

This may have more general implications for schools and colleges with severely disabled students about to take examinations. SHA will put any further information on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter.