Assignment Instructions
This assignment is based around the experiences of a fictional university student called Eva. read the transcript, to learn more about her situation. Once you have done this, please answer the question below. 1,500 words.
Transcript
Hi, my name is Eva, and I am 24 years old. I live at home in Camberwell with my partner Scott, and our Golden Retriever Fin. We’ve just moved down here from Brisbane for Scott’s work.
I grew up in rural Queensland, where my mum and dad own a strawberry farm. I always enjoyed school and did pretty well. In year eleven I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I had many surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy. It was a pretty tough time but my family and school friends were a wonderful support. I think my positive attitude also got me through. Even so, with all the treatment I wasn’t able to complete my HSC and dropped out of school to focus on getting better.
After 18 months my cancer went into remission and I was able to get back into life. I still have some ongoing health issues though. Apparently high-dose chemotherapy can be ototoxic, which means that the drugs they use to treat the cancer can damage your ears. In my case, they have caused permanent damage to my hearing and my balance. I still get episodes of bad dizziness at times. I also have a severe sensorineural hearing loss. I wear hearing aids, which help a little. But I still have a lot of trouble hearing, and rely mostly on lip-reading. I can still speak of course. Before we moved I was taking classes in Auslan (sign language) and I’d like to continue with these here. I’d also like to connect with the Deaf community, but I’m quite shy and my signing is still very slow.
After I recovered from my cancer I completed my HSC at the local TAFE, and worked part-time as a waitress. I found studying quite hard. I was getting tired very easily, and found it hard to concentrate in class. My TAFE teacher gave me a really hard time when I submitted work late or struggled to keep up – she thought I was lazy. About six months ago I saw a specialist and was given a diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, which you might know as “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”. I was glad to get a name for the symptoms I had, but I am still very confused about this disorder. I don’t know how I should be managing it, or whether it will get any better. I also don’t know if there’s any support out there for this condition.
Scott and I are still finding out feet here in Melbourne. I think things will be easier when we make some friends. I really miss my parents and wish they could visit, but it’s hard for them to leave the farm for long. Travelling tires me out too.
I have just been accepted into the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) at the Burwood campus of Deakin University. I’ve always been passionate about environmentally sustainable design, and one day I’d like to work as a sustainability consultant for an architecture firm. I’m going to do the degree part-time, and try to find some work. This is my first time studying at University so I’m pretty nervous! I don’t know how I’ll cope with the workload, and what kinds of supports I might need. I want some strategies so I can get off to a good start! I hope you can help me.
Assignment Question
With reference to the literature, identify the main challenges facing Eva as a student with a disability, and describe potential ‘solutions’, such as strategies, resources, and changes needed to make the university environment an inclusive one for her.
In your answer you should:
• Provide a definition of inclusion, with reference to the literature. When discussing Eva’s inclusion, consider the range of university-based activities that are undertaken as a student, including enrolment and administration processes, orientation, learning and assessment (lectures, tutorials, laboratory and field work, Cloud use and using the library), travel to, from, and around the campus, and Eva’s social life at uni.
• Provide an overview of Eva’s two health conditions (sensori-neural hearing loss, and myalgic encephalomyelitis).
• Describe Eva’s rights as a student with disability, with reference to relevant legislation and policy.
• Use the ICF framework as a guide to help you identify potential barriers and facilitators for Eva’s participation at university, relating to:
o her body structures and functions
o her social environment
o her learning environment
o other personal factors.
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