The specialism I’ve chosen to talk about is;
- Holistic Support incorporating Assistive Technology
Quite a few universities have services that provide assistive technology support for students, and some have support for staff also.
My service is unique in that there is a joined up service for both staff and students. I built up a good relationship with other services so that referrals are smooth. On top of this I follow the ‘Social Model’ of disability instead of the ‘Medical’.
‘The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society is organised. The medical model of disability says people are disabled by their impairments or differences.’ Read more at Scope about the models.
Holistic Support.
I look at my clients and their situation in a holistic way, and generally go above and beyond the job description I have, to try to provide a better solution to their difficulties.
For example; when I see a client with muscular skeletal issues I ask them to describe what the problems are, and where the pain is. I talk to them about what their job entails, and often visit their desks to see if anything there can be changed. I get them to type something while I am ‘sorting around in the cupboard’ and I watch how they type, and use their bodies at the workstation. I talk to them about posture, and show them about chair adjustment. As regards to ergonomics, I look at the size of their hands and how they type, and suggest a range of keyboards and mice I think would be a good option for them. I have built up a testing scheme where they can take a couple away for a week at a time to try out. This enables them to find the right option. I talk to them about taking breaks and show them Workrave, timer software, and send them the link for it.
I teach students a type of project- and time-management, and in one case helped a lady plan her home life as well as her studies, as she was a single mum with a young daughter (student mum’s mind map). I did this through teaching her the benefits of mind mapping using Inspiration. I also helped a student plan his whole term (term mind map). I also use this myself and mapped my ideas for this website on it. It helps to maximise my output by taking the strain off from trying to force my thoughts in a linear fashion which is alien to me. This helped to lower the stress levels of these students therefore maximising their potential to learn.
There are more examples of my holistic approach scattered throughout this portfolio.
I created a separate page about workstation health on my site in a range of formats, including a subtitled film made by one of my students using project money I’d applied for one summer. RSI Film
I also discuss what they do outside of work, and talk about health and safety around using tablets, phones, and computers at home. The other thing I talk to them about is relaxation and ways to ease tension in the mind and body, and demonstrate apps for relaxation. All these packages i have researched, discussed with counsellors in some cases, and also tested for myself before recommending. I have some links on my website to help with this too.
If they have a lot of pain, I advise seeing a Dr, and also getting referred to Occupational Health, who provide a few free sessions of physio.
With the advent of agile working, many people are suffering more issues as they are not aware of self-care with this system. I developed and offer, university-wide, agile working health and well-being training, which has proved to be of need, and well-received. With this training, I give information and demonstrations of setting up desks, chairs and laptops, talk about breaks, relaxation, and services available at the university. I also run a drop in session after for individual questions.
In Jan 2019, I was asked to deliver a series of presentations/demonstrations to staff by Tim Machin, Head of IT, Professional Services.support for staff and students within UCL, agile working health and well-being, and the assistive technology available, such as software like Dragon (voice recognition) which enables the user to completely avoid using keyboard and mouse should they have the need to..
‘When giving presentations, I find that you are very helpful and informative. You give additional information to the audience, meaning that you deliver presentations that are more than sufficient.’
I use the person-centered method with the inductions. I deliver them 1 to 1 where a student can feel safe and in control. They do not have to worry about others and can talk about whatever they feel they want. It allows us to get to know each other and how I can help if needed. I makes using the lab less frightening as they know there will be a friendly face around on a regular basis and if they need help they have a point to start at.
‘Thank you Michele for all the chats, cups of tea, trainings in the Senit suite, and for making me feel visible.’ (ex-student)
My office is in the SENIT lab, which allows me to be there to support students when they need it, sometimes just with a cuppa and an ear, if they are upset, or technical support if required.
I have also set up a ‘Soft Wall’ and area, with anti-stress gadgets, soft toys, colouring books, and puzzle books for students to de-stress themselves. In 2017 I started a range of craft classes so students again can relax a bit, have fun, and for some it gives them a chance to interact with others, and help with loneliness. This year (2018), due to popularity, it has now become an event every Tuesday lunchtime, and more people are joining. We have approx. ten members popping in and out of the sessions at the moment.
‘Sent: 23 April 2018 16:29
To:
Subject: Tomorrows class is on!
Hi All
Craft class is on tomorrow 1pm onwards. I have some new things to try, or you can use materials here to do your own thing or bring your own personal project.
See you all there.
Regards
Michele’
Feedback from one student.
‘Michele’s craft classes helped me to become less stressed during my time at university, and has proved invaluable. The weekly sessions were not only enjoyable but also acted as space for me to calm my stress and go to for a space of support.’ M. Aden
I have recently been approached to start one for staff in a particular department and we will commencing as soon as we can work out an agreeable time for all. Quote from one staff member below.
‘Hi Michele
Thank you for all your efforts in trying to co-ordinate us – it is appreciated.
Best wishes
Michelle’
In 2018 I started a ‘Women in Leadership’ course at UCL, and as part of this various stake-holders in the service contributed anonymously along with my answers, to form the Strengthscope report on my strengths and weaknesses. The reason for this course was to improve my approach to working with senior management with regards to funding, and making changes to policy. It was a really interesting experience and I learnt a lot about myself and how to develop myself going forward.
I was recently spotlighted in the staff Wellbeing Champions Newsletter on some of the work I have done.
The HE sector is now more about the ‘Student Experience’, and I feel that the work I do adds value to this. This is shown by the student feedback that comes in from our users.
I have been mentioned in the acknowledgments of several students thesis over the years and this is the most recent.
‘ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my supervisor Dr Richard Mole for his careful considerations regarding my topic, and his support throughout the writing of this paper in London and Berlin.
Furthermore, this paper would not have been possible without Muna, Michele and Reena’s genuine care and consideration at UCL’s SENIT suite; providing me with an uninterrupted, personal and positive environment in which to write up my thesis (and hot water for coffees!).’ Erkan Gursel.
My input into the disability world does not just lie within my job description but in my world and life as a whole. I volunteer with different charities; such when I produced some short guides for Deaf Unity.
I was recently invited to become involved with the Global Disability Innovation Hub at Here East Stratford.
‘That would be great Albert, thank you for this 😊
Michele, it was lovely to meet you yesterday and I am very excited to visit your lab and looking forward to working with you in the future.
From:
Date: Friday, 5 July 2019 at 12:31
To: “Farmer, Michele”
Cc: ”
Subject: Re: Building bridges between UCL Digital AT Support the GDI Hub
Hi Michele,
It was really nice to meet you yesterday, I found the talk about dyslexia and colour sensitivity really interesting. It would be great to come by and see the office at some point, hopefully, I can coordinate with Tigi, Pat, Maryam and Roxana to find a time when we’re all free.
All the best,
Albert ‘
On top of this I help with events around the University such as the recent summer school in the Bartlett for blind students.
‘Hi Michele and Reena,
Thank you both so much for helping make the Architecture Beyond Sight course accessible. We all really appreciated you scanning so many books for us!
Thank you….
Mandy xx ‘
I believe very strongly in sharing resources and knowledge, and helping out wherever possible, regardless of job description, and whether its internal or external to the University.
I am frequently asked to test for accessibility by departments and I have used assistive technology and Camtasia to create films for departments to visually show the issues with the systems or software that they use. Initially, I used to write a report listing issues along with various screenshots, but based on feedback this format was not always understood, so alongside this I began to create the films. This combination has proved to be much more affective.
I have worked with many different groups over the time I have been at UCL and here is some of the feedback from the teams that I have worked with.
Throughout my years of working in this field, I have realised that you can never know everything and constant study and research is a must to keep up with new technologies and methods to be able to provide the best service possible for the users.
Following a recent request to carry out accessibility testing on Microsoft Teams as part of the new web accessibility guidelines (Sept 2018), I realised that a guide for disabled users was necessary, and I have preempted this need by carrying out testing and research using different operating systems and mobile devices and their inbuilt accessibility tools. Following this I created a comprehensive guide for Teams by disability category for the users to have before the roll out across the University.
This role for me has always been a vocational one. I took a break in 2017 and travelled for a short while (early mid life crisis I think) to see what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. However, on my return I realised that this still was where I wanted to be and I re-joined the field with renewed vigour.