NOVEMBER 2009: ISSUE 6
SOUTHWARK COLLEGE VOICE 7
Making a real difference
Visually-impaired
students given
massive support
MICHAEL Lambert is playing
a crucial role in the support of
visually-impaired students
tackling mainstream courses
at Southwark College.
It is his responsibility to help integrate
people who are either blind, partially-
sighted or with significant impairment
into almost any course they choose to
undertake - whether it’s by providing
equipment or a learning support assistant
to aid learning in the classroom.
However, what makes this more
remarkable is that Michael is himself
blind. He lost his own sight when he was
just 16 and remembers the painful
experience of having to stop his own HUGE HELP:
studies at his local school. He was forced Michael Lambert at
to leave London to attend a school in work in his office
Worcester, which meant being separated
from his family and circle of friends at a
young age. By PAUL BLAIR become a physiotherapist,” revealed participate fully during lectures. Special
Michael therefore knows the Michael. examination arrangements are also made
importance of helping students with “However, in my 25 years here we have At present there are 12 visually- and include Braille exam papers, a
disabilities to stay and study in their local always been determined to offer learners impaired students at the college. They separate room to take tests, and more
community. with disabilities in the local community a are studying a wide range of different time.
What people in the borough might not place at Southwark College. We don’t courses including health and social care, Members of staff are also given vital
realise is that Southwark College has want to send students to special schools counselling, floristry and IT. encouragement in the classroom. Michael
been one of the pioneers in the integration at the other end of the country. I guess we Michael, and his dedicated team of said: “I was an English lecturer for six
of visually-impaired students on to a wide are way ahead of many colleges in doing learning support assistants, put years before I took up this role and I
range of courses. something about this. arrangements in place so that his stu- think this experience was very important
Michael took up the role as co-ordinator “There are a number of our previous dents can study just like everyone else. for me.
of the support service for visually- students who left the college and went on Practical support includes the supply of “Lecturers can also be very nervous
impaired students 19 years ago following to forge successful careers. One former
books in Braille, equipment that enlarges because it might be a new experience for
six years as an English lecturer.
student became the personal assistant to text, extra printers in the classroom and them to teach a visually-impaired
“Today, students expect to be supported
MP Simon Hughes while another studied the installation of different software on student. They could be anxious about
at their local college. When I started work
for A-levels, including human biology, computers to enlarge text. whether they are doing the right thing so
at Southwark College in the 1980s that
which is difficult because it’s so Extra staffing is also provided so my teaching background helps me to
wasn’t the case,” said Michael.
diagrammatic, and then trained to visually-impaired students can appreciate their points of view too.”
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Tola James-Odukoya, 18
Micheal Griffiths, 20
Where is he now?
Studying BA Business Law,De Montfort
Where is she now?-
University, Leicester
Studying BA History & Social Anthropology,
Roehampton University, London
When Tola achieved impressive GCSE results
Micheal came to Southwark College in 2006 to
in 2007, Southwark College was his first choice
to study A Level business studies. During his
re-sit her GCSEs. After successfully completing
time at the college, he was very popular
these exams, she went on to study A Level in
amongst his peers and lecturers. In his first
history, psychology and sociology. As a Student
year, he took part in a business challenge
Ambassador, Micheal provided exceptional service
commissioned by renowned international service
to the college in both internal and external
company SERCO, where he was presented with
events. She is expected to return and work as a
a new laptop for his commitment and hard work
part-time researcher on a sickle-cell project
to the project. “If I was to start college all over
under the Aspire Programme. “One of my positive
again, I would still choose Southwark College
experiences at the college is the support I
because the lecturers want the best for you,”
received from teachers, which helped influence
said Tola.
my decision to go onto university,” said Micheal.
Career Aspiration: Financial Analyst
Career Aspiration: History researcher
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