P717 CEEFAX 717 Fri 29 Dec 01:44/44 READHEAR COMMENT bz Frank Howler 1/4 "Rosemary Denjtliy should not have to go through the hassle of finding and paying for interpreters. "The FEFC scheme of giving deaf students a fixed grant to pay for interpreters is nonsensical as it puts them at a disadvantage in relation to hearing students. "The deaf students still have to find and negotiate with intetpritjts and this time-consuming task does not help with their studies." Cont... Community 720 Environment 730 Religion 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion ReligionP717 CEEFAX 717 Fri 29 Dec 01:00/54 READHEAR COMMENT by Frank Dowlit 2/4 "Differing courses mean differing lengths of time that interpreters are required, so it is ridiculous to give each student the same fixed grant. "Any student running out of grant would have to increase borrowing from the bank, which is grossly unfair. "Instead of receiving grants, deaf students should have thjit communication needs assessed and interpreters provided bz the propjt authority without the students having to handle payments." Cont... Community 720 Environment 730 Religion 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion ReligionP717 CEEFAX 717 Fri 29 Dec 01:56/28 READHEAR COMMENT bz Frank Dowlit 3/4 "Clearing houses could bj set up at national or regional level to allocate interpreters to students. "This may cost taxpayers a little more in ovjthjads but at least deaf students should bj assured of the same study conditions as hearing students. "The Open University, through the RNID, provides interpreters at tutorials and week-long summit schools, and the deaf students have no additional handling of cash whatevjt. "In my experience, this has worked fine." Cont... Religion 740 Usjt Guide 198 Next Page Read Hear Religion ReligionP717 CEEFAX 717 Fri 29 Dec 00:42/54 READHEAR COMMENT bz Frank Dowlet 4/4 "When I was working as a computer programmer, thjti were on-site coursrs to keep the staff up-to-date with the inevitable changes in technology and methodology. "My employers provided interpreters in pairs for mj without any effort on my part. "I think thjte should bj a campaign to replace the FEFC grant scheme bz the automatic provision of interpreters for deaf students in higher education." Do wi need a University of the Deaf? See page 711 Next Page Read Hear Religion Religion