Working with readers
This information is also available as Factsheet 41 in PDF format (118 kb).
Students may request the service of a reader to access written material in course books. The services must be identified in the student’s Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) assessment report and is subject to agreed funding.
Communication and Support Services cannot guarantee that every request for readers will be booked. Finding suitable readers will require two to four weeks notice.
Readers will usually be postgraduate students who will have experience of the subject studied.
For continuity, we will try to book the same reader for each session, however as all bookings are subject to availability, this cannot be guaranteed.
Readers who are postgraduate students will be recruited in collaboration with Communication & Support Services and the relevant Departmental Disability Representative. Disability Services will invoice the student’s funding body for the cost of the reader, plus a 25 per cent oncost.
Role of readers
The role of a reader is to read out loud textbooks, handouts and other printed course materials that have not been scanned. The role may also involve working with library staff to scan text.
Readers will not help students to write any assessed work.
Reading sessions
It is the student’s responsibility to contact the reader to set up reading sessions. The sessions should be arranged at a time and venue that suits both student and reader. It may be possible to arrange a room within the student’s Department, if this is required please contact Communication and Support Services.
At the beginning of each booking, students must sign a record of work form and hand this back to the reader before they leave. If this form is not completed and returned to Communication & Support Services, by the reader, it is possible that the funding body will not release payment for the session. For visually impaired students the form will be provided on yellow paper, font 16, Arial, please contact Communication and Support Services if an alternative format is required.
What happens if there are no readers available?
If we are unable to find anyone available you should ask to borrow another student’s notes, ask for lecture handouts or arrange a tutorial with the lecturer.
What happens if I am ill?
Let your reader know when you are ill. If you don’t arrive at a session, the reader will wait for 15 minutes and then leave.
What happens if a reader or guide is ill?
If a reader is ill they should let you know as soon as possible.
What happens if I am late?
If you are more than 15 minutes late the reader will have already left.
What happens if I don’t turn up?
You need to let the reader know if you are not going to attend a session.
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