Attitude change is more likely where people are not defensive and where they feel they can describe feelings, experiences and understandings without fear of being dismissed or belittled as people. Some students with impairments will have particular needs which must be recognised and met if they are to participate fully on the course. A major responsibility for meeting these needs rests with University staff, but if we have collectively established the right ground rules and climate within the course, then students should become aware of the needs of their colleagues and should seek to assist them where appropriate. Similarly, students with impairments should be able to identify, or to remind us, of their needs in the expectation that something constructive will be done about it. We expect people associated with the Diploma to abide by these guidelines.
Personal pain is still likely from time to time, but with good intent, many problems can be solved.
The award certainly starts from the assumption that people associated with the award do not wish to be discriminatory in their beliefs or behaviour. Should a student, however, feel that they are experiencing unacceptable difficulties with anybody associated with any part of the award, including the placement, they should use the appropriate machinery as soon as possible.