Membership of the Group
ADSHE Midlands has been meeting since February 2005 approximately 3 times
a year at different venues across the region. These meetings are well attended
by ADSHE members, usually one or two people from:
De Montfort University
University of Leicester
University of Nottingham
Nottingham Trent University
University of Birmingham
University of Loughborough
Coventry University
The Open University
Recent activities
BDA Conference 2008 - Presentation by the Midlands ADSHE group:
Holistic and Inclusive Responses to Learning Differences in HE’: Making Links, March 2008
Holistic and Inclusive responses
Discussion Topics
Some meetings focus on particular issues such as adjustments in exams whilst
others may involve an exchange of ideas on policy and practice.
Professional Development
• A Local Educational Psychologist who works for HEIs in the region, led
a stimulating evening on the assessment process and interpretation of results.
• Ian Smythe led a day on the assessment of international students and students
who have English as an additional language. This was also a really useful
time for sharing information.
Current Research Topics
David Pollak: 1. BRAIN.HE – qualitative research into the experiences of
students identified with a range of neurodiversity.
2.INCurriculum – a collaborative project between 3 HEIs using selected modules
to ‘mainstream’ accessible and inclusive practice drawn from dyslexia-friendly
work in Art & Design.
Both are funded by the NTFS.
Future Developments
At the end of the ADSHE Networking Day 2007 the Midlands Group met to discuss
putting together a collaborative proposal for a workshop at the BDA Conference
in 2008. This proposal was drafted, submitted and successful and we are
delighted to have been given the opportunity to facilitate a joint workshop
at the 2008 BDA International Conference in Harrogate.
The 8 universities are looking at the whole experience for a student with
SpLD/Learning Differences starting with transition into the university,
Screening/Assessment, Inclusive Learning, Accessible Learning Styles and
Strategies, Employability and the Student Voice. It will be an interactive
workshop with brief outlines of the ongoing work in each of the universities
followed by a Case Study Approach to focus the discussion and structure
some action points.
This is an excellent opportunity for us to further strengthen our collaborative
partnership working.
You can contact the Midlands Group via Sally Freeman, Nottingham Trent University sally.freeman@ntu.ac.uk, Barbara Taylor, Nottingham University: barbara.taylor@nottingham.ac.uk, or Fiona White, Leicester University: fmw4@leicester.ac.uk