A number of initiatives help the university’s dyslexic students navigate their studies.
“Societal development”, “evidence-based” and “professional practice”. If these terms almost trip you up, spare a thought for how it is for a dyslexic person to read and spell these technical terms – and many, many more. Terms like these are part of the challenge for dyslexic people undertaking a study programme at university.
SDU has launched a number of initiatives to make everyday life a little easier for the university’s 150 or so dyslexia sufferers. For example, SDU recently adopted a code that ensures all students – including disabled people and dyslexia sufferers – have equal access, equal rights and equal opportunities while studying here.
Most recently, a small group formed a network for SDU’s dyslexia sufferers. One of the instigators is Malene Ditte Hansen, who is herself dyslexic and is in her second semester of religious studies.
“We are planning to get together a few times during the semester for some technical presentations. And I also believe there’s a lot to be gained from getting to know one another. Many of us are struggling with the same problems and I’m sure we’ll be able to share lots of useful tips,” she comments.
Dyslexic students can be allocated special educational support. The Board of SDU allocates this support.
In Malene Ditte Hansen’s case, this consists of help with reading and study support, where she receives help with technical terms that she finds puzzling:
“‘Deduction’ and ‘induction’, and ‘quality’ and ‘quantity’ are just far too similar. Working with my counsellor, I’ve created some flashcards with the word on one side and the description of the word on the other. This is a big help,” Malene explains.
Navigating the jungle of new technical terms can be one of the biggest hurdles for dyslexic students. Margrethe Olsen Mørch, academic reading and writing counsellor at the University of Southern Denmark, explains why:
“A dyslexic person generally has a pretty good idea of what the technical terms mean, but they find it difficult to explain them precisely, and struggle to write them correctly. That’s why our dyslexia sufferers are given help from academic support staff, for example to figure out how to remember these terms and understand them systematically.
“This considerably enhances the reading experience for our dyslexic students. Otherwise, they expend so much energy grappling with the words that they have nothing left over for actually understanding what they are reading.”
An IT backpack for everyone
She explains that, as an initial step, all dyslexic students are equipped with an “IT backpack” containing various digital aids. For some dyslexia sufferers, this is all the help and support required. Others also need help with reading and study support, and it is also possible to receive support to purchase the syllabus in digital format.
To qualify for the SDU Board’s special educational support package, candidates must first be tested and examined by the university’s reading and writing counsellors.
There are nine counsellors at the University of Southern Denmark who, after applying for and being awarded the tender, test, examine and provide study support sessions for all short, long and further education study programmes throughout the Southern Denmark Region.
14.06.2013
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