Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Monthly Student Digest October 2011

The Monthly Student Digest for October 2011 contains the following items:

  1. DRC Student Timeline
  2. Volunteers with severe high-frequency hearing loss sought for hearing aid study
  3. Autism Oxford proudly presents 'Aspergers and Autism - Success Stories', 25 and 26 October 2011
  4. Getting Investment Banking, 28 October 2011
  5. Channel 4 Recruitment Event for Disabled Students, 20 October 2011
  6. Student Loans Company warning about phishing emails
  7. Invitation to Participate in a Research Study
  8. New Channel 4 Documentary Series
  9. The National Graduate Recruitment Exhibitions Autumn 2011, 28 and 29 October 2011, Birmingham
  10. DRC Website Usability Testing, 10 and 11 November 2011
  11. Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) news from the Student Loans Company
  12. OPEN: A careers event for disabled undergraduates, 9 December 2011
  13. Equality and Diversity BME History Month event, 24 October 2011
  14. CAMbassadors Applications Now Open, Deadline 2 November 2010
  15. EmployAbility: scholarship, internship, and careers opportunities for disabled students
  16. Careers Service Transition Programme for students with Asperger Syndrome 2011-12
  17. Asperger Syndrome (AS) Social Group
  18. Student Survey on Disabled Students Allowances
  19. Disabled Students' Campaign Bulletin

1. DRC Student Timeline

The DRC has published a Student Timeline for the 2011/12 academic year. A PDF version is available to download, or you can collect a hard copy the next time you visit the DRC. Copies are available at the Front Desk.

2. Volunteers with severe high-frequency hearing loss sought for hearing aid study

A PhD student at the Hearing Laboratory, in the Department of Experimental Psychology is running a project concerned with frequency compression and frequency transposition hearing aids. These devices lower the frequency of some high frequency sounds in order to make them audible to people with severe high frequency hearing loss. There is a need to evaluate these hearing aids to determine whether or not they improve consonant detection and discrimination for people with a high frequency hearing loss.

The study is about quality of speech processed by such hearing aids. In this study each participant's hearing is tested and then a hearing aid is fitted for them. Each participant is presented with different speech sounds recorded from their hearing aids and asked to rate the quality of sound. Participants are sought who are native speakers of British English and have a severe high-frequency hearing loss to take part in the study.

Participation requires around 6-8 sessions, each one lasting two hours, during which participants are asked to hear some sounds and press some buttons. They are given frequent short breaks and a longer coffee-break each time. Participants are paid for their time at a rate of 6 pounds per hour and any travel expenses incurred are covered. If after starting your participation you did not wish to come anymore you can withdraw without having to give an explanation.

If you would like to take part in the study, please contact Marina Salorio-Corbetto to arrange for a test session or to ask for more information about the study. She will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Marina is based in the Hearing Laboratory, Department of Experimental Psychology, Downing Site. This is on Downing Street, Central Cambridge. Please contact Marina either by phone at 01223 33 35 62, or e-mail ms878@cam.ac.uk.

3. Autism Oxford proudly presents 'Aspergers and Autism - Success Stories'

Autism Oxford proudly presents two events, 'Aspergers and Autism - Success Stories' in Oxford and Milton Keynes. The event in Oxford will be held on Tuesday, 25th October 2011, 12:15pm for 1pm - 4pm at St Gregory the Great Catholic School, Cricket Road, Oxford, OX4 3DR. For directions, please see: http://www.stgregory.oxon.sch.uk/contact.htm. The event in Milton Keynes will be held on Saturday, 29th October 2011, 12:15pm for 1pm - 4pm at Church of Christ the Cornerstone, 300 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes MK9 2ES. For directions, please see: http://sites.google.com/site/churchofchristthecornerstonemk/find-us.

Speakers will include Marc Fleisher, MPhil, BSc, Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, Speaker at National & International Conferences, many TV credits, Author of 'Making Sense of the Unfeasible' & 'Survival Strategies for People on the Autism Spectrum' and Paul Isaacs, Diagnosed with High Functioning Autism, member of Autism Oxford's Training Team and Speaker at many events across the South and South West. Both Marc and Paul have faced very difficult and challenging episodes in their lives. Their motivation and ability to overcome so much is awesome - as is their refreshing openness and wish to pass on insightful information and strategies to help others. Prepare to be incredibly impressed! They will talk about the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them, offering invaluable insights, ideas for solutions, inspiration, and hope to professionals, family members and people on the autism spectrum. The afternoon will include a questions and answers session.

The cost of the event is as follows. Professionals: 30 pounds plus VAT, People with ASC & Family members: 20 pounds plus VAT. Discounts available if needed, please ask. Attendance must be booked in advance. For fast, easy, secure booking, visit: http://www.autismoxford.org/index.php/events/booking.

4. Getting Investment Banking

Getting Investment Banking is a new event designed for any student who is either already interested in a career in banking or may like to find out more but feels, due to a disability, that as a career it may not be for them. The event is being organised by 11 of the leading investment banks including Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Citi and Barclays Capital. On the day there will be a mix of presentations, panel discussions and informal networking which will give students a chance to meet and learn from professionals working at these companies. The event is being held in central London on the 28th October. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

To find out more about the event please visit the website: www.gettinginvestmentbanking.com.

5. Channel 4 Recruitment Event for Disabled Students

On the 20th of October, an exciting event is being hosted by Channel 4 for disabled talent who are interested a career with Channel 4. From research to sales, website development to finance, a wide range of Channel 4 staff members will be available to those on the night to talk about their departments and offer advice. There will, of course, be plenty of food to nibble at too.

  • When: 20th of October
  • Where: Channel 4, 124 Horseferry Road, SW1P 2TX
  • Time: 6.00-9.00pm
  • Talent Boutique Poster

For more information, see: http://4talent.channel4.com/extra/talent-boutique or email Genevieve Barr at genevievebarr.ltd@gmail.com.

6. Student Loans Company warning about phishing emails

The Student Loans Company (SLC) are urging university students to be aware of phishing scams and not to reveal their personal details online. Students are often targeted with phishing emails around student finance payment dates. The number of students reporting these incidents to the Student Loans Company has increased significantly in the last few years.

The top two messages from the SLC to students are:

  • We will never ask you to update your bank details by email
  • We will never ask you to verify your student account details by email

Students should ignore messages that tell them to 'validate your account' or provide any personal, security or banking details. The SLC will never ask for students to confirm their information in this way. The SLC phishing guide, top tips and details on what to do if you receive a suspicious email can be found at: http://bit.ly/e3E2xT.

7. Invitation to Participate in a Research Study

Do you have an autistic spectrum condition? If so, we need your help, and will pay you for your time.

Our research looks at the relationship between autism and other conditions. It's exciting research with the potential for clinical application much later. If you're willing to sit through around 2 1/2 hours of computerised tasks split over two sessions and based on the Downing site in central Cambridge, we'll pay you 8 pounds per hour and reimburse you any travel expenses incurred. You will also be helping advance the body of knowledge about autistic spectrum conditions in general, and how they relate to other diagnoses. Most of the tasks involve making perceptual judgements about stimuli presented by a computer.

If you'd like to be involved, please contact Ben Gregory at the Laboratory for Research into Autism, either by email (blg24@cam.ac.uk) or phone (01223 765206).

8. New Channel 4 Documentary Series

Channel 4 is looking for single people who might potentially be interested in taking part in a new documentary series, which will follow disabled people and those with a variety of conditions on their quest to find love. The series is intended to offer greater insight and understanding into the issues, barriers and prejudices that are faced by people with physical, sensory, mental impairment or long term conditions. The series will also aim to explore society's attitude towards disabled people and how this can affect relationships.

An existing personal introduction agency, taking advice when necessary from experts in disability and other conditions, will be endeavouring to match people on common interests, likes and dislikes. The agency is fully inclusive, with both disabled and non-disabled people on its books. The series will follow key mile-stones in our contributors' journeys and explore their thoughts and feelings about their experiences along the way. From meeting the agency and getting their dating profile set up to preparing for their first date, we will document the highs and lows of their journey. The intention is that there would also be an accompanying information and help web-pages for viewers.

The series idea is inspired by Truly, Madly, Deeply, the highly acclaimed 2006 documentary which won a RADAR award and followed the progress of the UK's first dating agency for people with learning disabilities. You can view this on 4OD at Only Human.

The production company, 'betty', is a highly respected production company and responsible for Find Me a Family, a critically acclaimed Channel 4 documentary series about a pioneering project which tries to find homes for the children who no-one else has come forward to adopt; Beauty and the Beast: The Ugly Face of Prejudice, a series for Channel 4 which follows people with facial disfigurement and those with preoccupation about appearance and explores the extremes of discrimination; and the BAFTA nominated Breaking Up With The Joneses for Channel 4, a powerful, sensitive film following one family with two young children over 9 months as they go through divorce. Full information on the production company is available at www.betty.co.uk.

More information:

9. The National Graduate Recruitment Exhibitions Autumn 2011

A wide range of the UK's top companies will be available to meet final year students and graduates face-to-face to talk about their graduate recruitment programmes, and how to apply. This includes disability inclusive companies such as Santander, Molson Coors, BAE Systems, Nationwide, Bloomberg, The British Council, amazon.co.uk, Waitrose, Civil Service Fast Stream, Barnes Roffe LLP, ExxonMobil, Bosch, Jaguar Land-Rover and many more.

Friday 28 October 11am-5pm and Saturday 29 October 11am-4pm, NEC, Birmingham. For details of who is exhibiting see Recruiters at the exhibition. To register for a free fast-track entry, visit the My GradJobs website.

10. DRC Website Usability Testing

The DRC is looking for volunteers to participate in usability testing of our website. These will take place at the Management Information Services Division (MISD) at Greenwich House. Volunteers are required for one hour-long session, either at 9.30am or 11am on either 10 or 11 November 2011. Participants will be rewarded for their time. If you are interested and able to participate, please email the DRC Office Manager, Tori McKee, with your preferred dates and times at tm429@admin.cam.ac.uk.

11. Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) news from the Student Loans Company

As of 25 September, the Student Loans Company (SLC) had received over 21,000 DSA applications, which is 49% of what they expect to receive for the 2011/12 academic year. The number of DSA applications received for the 2011/12 academic year is about 30% higher compared to the same time last year. Around 40% more students will have their DSA support in place for the start of term this year compared to last year.

Please note that the SLC now accepts photocopies of disability evidence, and this is preferable to sending in originals.

Students are now being sent a copy of their DSA1 letter (eligibility confirmation and prompt to proceed to a Needs Assessment Centre) by email, as well as sending a hard copy through the post. Please make sure to check your email inbox if you need to obtain a copy of this letter to confirm your eligibility for DSA, rather than calling the Response Team.

12. OPEN: A careers event for disabled undergraduates

Your insight into a legal career.

This uniquely interactive event is designed to provide people with disabilities and long-term health conditions an insight into the true nature of the opportunities for graduates interested in pursuing a career in law. With contributions from some of the world's leading law firms, it will help you to develop your understanding of the industry and the support that is available. The event will also cover how best to approach the application and selection process. Attending will help give you the confidence and direction you need to overcome your concerns and make the most of your potential.

The event is being held by the biggest names in law, all of whom are currently recruiting for Summer Internships. These include: Allen and Overy, Ashurst, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, Hogan Lovells and Eversheds.

  • Date: Friday 9 December 2011
  • Time: 11.00am - 5.00pm
  • Location: Central London (travel expenses will be reimbursed)

For further information please visit the OPEN website at www.open-to-you.com.

13. Equality and Diversity BME History Month event

All students are warmly invited to the following Equality and Diversity event:

  • Title: Race in 21st century Britain: Is the debate over?
  • Date: 24 October 2011
  • Time: 5.30pm to 6.30pm
  • Location: Gillespie Centre, Clare College
  • Event Poster

The University's Annual Race Lecture with well-known journalist and author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Matthew Ryder QC, and Carlene Firmin MBE, Principal Policy Advisor at the Office of the Children's Commissioner, and writer. Booking at: http://www.training.cam.ac.uk/equality/event/243757.

14. CAMbassadors Applications Now Open

Do you want to support access to Cambridge?

Do you want to share your subject interest and enthusiasm with prospective students?

Do you want to work with students from across the country to share your experiences of University and break down the myths surrounding Cambridge?

The Cambridge Admissions Office is looking for enthusiastic, dynamic and engaging undergraduates in their second, third or fourth year to represent the University to prospective students, their schools and colleges.

Apply to be a CAMbassador at http://tinyurl.com/CAMbassadors. The deadline is Wednesday 2 November 2011.

Payment

As well as gaining great work experience, you will be paid for your work on most events, allowing you to earn money whilst helping to promote fair access to Higher Education. Current payment is £40 per day on £20 per half day.

Commitment

CAMbassadors are asked to commit to working on at least three events per year. There are events during term time and in the vacations, so the work is flexible and won't conflict with your other commitments.

What CAMBassadors do?

CAMbassadors work on the University's central access and outreach events, including day events, Summer Schools, regional conferences and residential Summer Schools. These are high profile events, reaching thousands of prospective students each year and CAMbassadors form a central part of all activities. The role varies on each event, and training will be provided, but CAMbassadors will be expected to:

  • talk to students in small groups
  • assist with subject workshops
  • present to big audiences
  • talk to teachers and advisers
  • welcome groups
  • lead tours

What experience or skills do CAMbassadors need?

You should be enthusiastic about your subject and about the University. You should be determined to help the University widen participation by encouraging students from state schools and colleges across the UK to consider Higher Education and Cambridge. You should be confident working with students from age 11 to age 18 and understand the issues and barriers they may face when considering their education options. You should be able to communicate your experiences and enthusiasm to large audiences.

For more information, contact Charlotte Richer, Cambridge Admissions Office, tel: 01223 768676, email: cr330:cam.ac.uk.

15. EmployAbility: scholarship, internship, and careers opportunities for disabled students

EmployAbility is the not-for-profit organisation providing a free service to students and graduates with all disabilities, including dyslexia, long term illnesses or mental health conditions, to ease the transition from education to employment. They offer support, guidance and advice throughout the recruitment process and beyond from CV and application form writing, disability disclosure and reasonable adjustments to supporting students during their internship or graduate programme.

Herbert Smith EmployAbility Winter Vacation Scheme 2011

A great two week opportunity to find out more about a career in law. During the scheme you will be exposed to the highest quality contentious and non-contentious work and have an opportunity to sit with a partner or associate in a different practice area each week.

  • When? Monday 5 to Friday 16 December 2011
  • Where? London

Open to all penultimate year disabled students, finalists and graduates of law and any other degree discipline.

Apply online now! Closing date for applications: Friday 28 October 2011

Google TechAbility Programme

Wednesday 9 November 2011, 11am-7pm

An insightful one day career event at Google HQ in London (travel expenses will be reimbursed). You will have the opportunity to hear from Google engineers who are working on cutting-edge computer science problems, learn about some of Google's coolest products and meet the interns who can tell you what it's really like to work there. You will also have the opportunity to join their innovative mentoring programme, benefitting from world-class technical advice and the career wisdom of experienced Googlers. To be eligible, you must be currently studying computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, informatics, maths, artificial intelligence and/or other related technical degrees.

Apply online now! Closing date for applications: Sunday 30 October 2011

Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2012

A €7,000 scholarship for the Academic Year 2012/ 2013.

To be eligible, you must be a student enrolled in a Bachelors, Masters or PhD programme (or equivalent) in 2012/2013 and studying computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, informatics, maths, artificial intelligence and/or other related technical degrees. All scholarship recipients will be invited to visit a Google office in Europe in June 2012 for an all-expenses-paid networking retreat. It will include workshops with a series of speakers, panels, breakout sessions and social activities, and will provide an opportunity to meet and share experiences.

Apply/Register your interest online now! Closing date for applications: Sunday 15 January 2012

If you require any further information please contact EmployAbility at info@employ-ability.org.uk or call 07776 090 508.

16. Careers Service Transition Programme for students with Asperger Syndrome 2011-12

The University of Cambridge Careers Service, in collaboration with the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) is running a series of workshops specifically for students with Asperger syndrome (AS), to prepare for a successful career after University. The programme starts in November 2011 and is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students with Asperger Syndrome across all academic disciplines.

The series of workshops includes:

  • Workshop one - Skills and Presenting them - Wednesday 16 November, 2-4pm
  • Workshop two - The Career Search - Wednesday 8 February, 2-4pm
  • Workshop three - Interviews and Disclosure - Wednesday 7 March, 2-4pm

All workshops will be held in Bridget's Meeting Room at the Disability Resource Centre (DRC), Keynes House, Trumpington Street, CB2 1QA.

Are you interested in attending? If so, please email either Joanna Hastwell or Catherine Alexander to express your interest. Places are limited so please get in contact as soon as possible. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact them via email or phone as below:

Catherine Alexander
Careers Adviser
University of Cambridge Careers Service
Email: catherinealexander@careers.cam.ac.uk
Joanna Hastwell
Asperger Syndrome Project Officer, DSA Needs Assessor
DRC, University of Cambridge
Tel: 01223 332301
Email: joanna.hastwell@admin.cam.ac.uk

They look forward to hearing from you!

17. Asperger Syndrome (AS) Social Group

The group is for anyone who identifies with Asperger Syndrome/HF Autism and is studying at the University of Cambridge. We meet as a small group to chat about a variety of topics, share and enjoy individual interests, meet other students from across the University, share problems and solutions, do activities and contribute to improving the student experience.

"I like attending the group as it's a place I can be myself"

New members are always welcome, so feel free to bring a friend or invite new members.

  • Dates for Michaelmas term 2011: 7 October - 2 December 2011
  • Time: every Friday lunch time, 1-2pm, feel free to bring your lunch
  • Venue: DRC Bridget's Meeting Room, Keynes House, Trumpington Street

For further information, please see the Asperger Syndrome News and Events page.

18. Student Survey on Disabled Students Allowances

We understand that the DSAs will be reviewed by the government next year and so we are conducting some research into the effectiveness of the DSAs support. We want to hear your views.

We would really appreciate 10 minutes of your time to fill out a survey. Please click on the link below to access this survey and follow the online instructions.

https://www.isurvey.soton.ac.uk/3077

Please note that filling out this survey will not affect your support in any way and all responses are anonymous.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Circulated on behalf of Sue Wilkinson, Deb Viney, and E.A. Draffan (Researchers)

19. Disabled Students' Campaign Bulletin

Circulated on behalf of the Disabled Students' Campaign.

Degrading is degrading

We had an awesome open meeting last week in which we discussed a lot of issues including kicking of a new campaign, Degrading is degrading, which looks at a lot of the aspects of the degrading process (when a undergraduate student intermits from their course due to health or personal reasons - yes that's really what it's called) and some of the horribly degrading aspects of this process (starting with the name). A few examples include:

  • This can include rules that require a student to leave Cambridge for the duration that they are degraded, despite that probably being the focus of their friendship network or if they are allowed to live in Cambridge they are banned from their college, and have been verbally abused on return or fined because of not picking up mail sent only to their college pigeon hole.
  • There are also rules about only being able to leave if you are not fit to work, which can prevent students supporting themselves while they are away from college
  • Rules that require and work on the assumption that students are studying full time until they are granted permission to degrade, in some cases students have be forced and pushed into attending lectures when far too ill and at cost to their health
  • Difficulties with medical evidence which is very white and black where you are required at the end of each degraded period to either proof you are unfit to return or that you are fit to return.
  • We have heard of potential plans to limit degrading to two years except in exceptional circumstances, potentially leading to students returning when ill or being excluded from their degree.

And this is a few examples. We plan to campaign for a fairer, less degrading system giving students needing to intermit the respect they deserve.

Ways to get involved:

  • If you've experienced issues: We'll be looking for statements from people who have degraded or have otherwise interacted with the degrading system, at any point to provide examples of the kind of treatments that exist. Please email disabled-mentalhealth@cusu.cam.ac.uk if you'd be willing to do this. Once received the statement can be separated from your address and all statements will be treated anonymously. Alternatively we'll be setting up fully anonymous systems shortly.
  • If you would like to help: We're setting up a Degrading is Degrading working group so if you want to help, from having ideas for posters or a logo or just wanting to lend a hand, you can get in contact with disabled-computing@cusu.cam.ac.uk to find out more or join the group.We've already got lots of people involved so it isn't much of a commitment at all, and with anyone being involved in the Disabled Students' Campaign it's understood that people have their own impairments and time constraints and will be limited in what they can offer.
  • Want to find out more: Come along to our Degrading is Degrading Open Meeting on Tuesday 1 November 2011, venue TBC, it will be provided in the CUSU Bulletin, on our events page (http://www.disabled.cusu.cam.ac.uk/events/) or you can sign up to our announce (and other mailing lists at) http://www.disabled.cusu.cam.ac.uk/mailing-lists/.

Upcoming events:

Mental Health Network Thursday 27 October 7:30pm, CUSU Conference Room (date change)

Mental Health Network provides a supportive and understanding environment for people to share and support each other, as well as being an opportunity to campaign on mental health issues. Tea and biscuits are provided.

The CUSU Conference Room is in CUSU's offices on the New Museum Site, through the door and it's shortly on the left. There is a lift for wheelchair access we will try and ensure both halves of the door are left open as the normal one side is not wide enough for most wheelchairs. If you'd like contact details incase this fails or want to make us aware of other access requirements or have any other questions please email the Mental Health Representative on disabled-mentalhealth@cusu.cam.ac.uk.

Degrading is Degrading Open Meeting 7pm for 7:30pm start Tuesday 1 November Venue TBC.

An open meeting focused on our Degrading is Degrading Campaign, other concerns can be discussed as needed and accessible snacks will be provided, come along and lets get organised about the lack of respect shown to degraded students!

Mental Health Network Thursday 10 November 7:30pm, CUSU Conference Room (date change)

Open Meeting 7:30pm Thursday 17 November venue TBC

This is going to a more normal open meeting, a place to come along and get involved with the campaign, find out what we are up to and tell us about concerns you have.

Mental Health Network Thursday 24 November 7:30pm, CUSU Conference Room (date change)

Venues will be advertised in the CUSU Bulletin, on our events page (http://www.disabled.cusu.cam.ac.uk/events/) or you can sign up to our announce (and other mailing lists at) http://www.disabled.cusu.cam.ac.uk/mailing-lists/.