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From: Grant Meredith
Date: 03 Oct 2010
Time: 18:38:24 -0500
Remote Name: 141.132.193.37
Hello Caroline, Great to hear from a fellow Aussie. I can talk lightly around some of my greater findings. I am still analysing data. I can tell you that of the few students who asked for help in general they felt unsatisfied with the proceeding UDLO process. I can tell you that there is a much greater story to be told there and that words like “shame” and “embarrassment” come into play. I think the results will shock you about this small part of the experience once published. The UDLO interaction process is not a pretty sight in regards to these students who participated in the study. As to your second question. The study shows me that very few students registered with the UDLOs for assistance. I have only informally contacted UDLOs from 39 Australian universities and they have in general indicated a lack of exposure to students who stutter. Many had never encountered a PWS asking for assistance. I think a speech pathologist could be at least be invited to assist with the UDLO process if the PWS felt that is would be of benefit. I think it is up to the greater mass of PWS to educate schools and the community as a whole about stuttering. I think it would be unfair to lump it on the speechies backs. I also think a university should be more up front with the fact that it can assist a PWS through its disability services. This is an area that also seems to lack attention. But perhaps this also has to propagate back to students and teachers in primary and secondary schools?