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- Supervising disabled researchers - Premia
- Making the viva accessible
- Making adjustments - case studies
- Case study 9: Madeleine
Case study 9: Madeleine
Scenario
Madeleine has cerebral palsy. Those who do not know her well can find it very difficult to understand what she is saying.
Suggested adjustments
The supervisor, Madeleine and her disability adviser meet 12 months before the viva is likely to take place. Her supervisor asks Madeleine what issues are likely to arise within the viva. Madeleine is unsure about what to expect in the viva and how long it will last. Extended periods of dialogue are very tiring for her because the physical effort of speaking is very draining. The supervisor explains what to expect.
Madeleine is concerned about being examined orally by people who do not know her speech patterns. She thinks they may be embarrassed by not being able to understand her and that may affect how they perceive her, how the viva is conducted and the outcome.
In order that she is given a chance to ‘experience' a viva and so that the disability adviser and supervisor can effectively anticipate her requirements, Madeleine watches a video of a viva and is offered a practice viva to be observed by her adviser and supervisor. As a result, and after discussion with Madeleine, the disability adviser prepares guidelines for the panel members which are sent out in advance by her supervisor. They also arrange (and pay for through Madeleine's DSA) a postgraduate researcher in the same academic subject who knows Madeleine to accompany her and convey to examiners any answers they are unable to understand.
Examiners are advised to maintain eye contact, ask shorter, one part questions, resist the temptation to finish Madeleine's sentences, be open about not understanding any responses, and address all their questions to her. All examiners are asked to confirm that the arrangements are acceptable. They are also asked to use the first 15 minutes of the viva to informally talk with Madeleine so that they can become attuned to her speech patterns. Breaks are taken after each half hour to enable concentration levels to be maintained.
After the viva, the panel meets with the supervisor and disability adviser to review how effective the adjustments have been in creating parity for Madeleine to defend her thesis.
