BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT Reg. Charity N o

Transcription

1 BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT Reg. Charity N o ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT POLICY FOR CANDIDATES REQUIRING REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS FOR BCS QUALIFICATIONS BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

2 CONTENTS. ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT POLICY STATEMENT....3 CANDIDATES WHO MAY REQUIRE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS...3 REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS INCLUDE:...4 DETAILS OF REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS...5 GUIDANCE TO APPROVED CENTRES ON THE PROVISION OF REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS....9 PROCEDURES FOR CENTRES WHICH APPLY TO BCS REQUESTING REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS FOR CANDIDATES PROCEDURES FOR CENTRES WHICH HAVE PERMISSION TO APPROVE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS FOR CANDIDATES APPENDIX A PERMISSIONS TABLE...17 APPENDIX B ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT REQUEST FORM...19 MONITORING FORM...21 APPENDIX C ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT INFORMATION FORM...22 MONITORING FORM...25 APPENDIX D CONFIRMATION OF ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT FORM..26 APPENDIX E DISCLOSURE AND CONFIDENTIALITY...27 APPENDIX F SAMPLE CONSENT FORM TO PASS ON INFORMATION.28 APPENDIX G TUTOR GUIDELINES FOR QUALIFICATIONS WHERE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS ARE APPROVED BY THE CENTRE...29 APPENDIX H GLOSSARY OF TERMS BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

3 Access to Assessment Policy Statement. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, seeks to provide equal access to assessment for all candidates, ensuring that there are no unnecessary barriers to assessment and that any reasonable adjustments for candidates preserve the validity, reliability and integrity of the qualification. BCS will consider requests from Centres for reasonable adjustments to be approved for a candidate. The decision will be based on the individual needs of the candidate as assessed by suitably qualified professionals. In promoting this policy, BCS aims to ensure that a candidate is not disadvantaged in relation to other candidates and their certificate accurately reflects their attainment. Candidates who may require reasonable adjustments. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA),1995, defines disability as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person s ability to perform normal day-to-day activities. The following individuals will be considered for reasonable adjustments: Candidates who have: A permanent physical impairment, e.g. cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis Behavioural, emotional, social needs, e.g. chronic depression, autism A sensory impairment, e.g. hard of hearing Specific learning difficulties, e.g. dyslexia This list is not exhaustive and it should be noted that some candidates may be covered by more than one of the categories listed above. Although these matters are not covered directly by the DDA, we also wish to accommodate candidates: For whom English is their second or additional language Who have a temporary illness or injury BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

4 Reasonable adjustments include: Allocation of additional time Support of a reader Support of a scribe/amanuensis Support of a British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter Support of a personal assistant Support of a prompter Use of assistive technology Rest breaks Change in the assessment room Use of appropriate assessment locations Use of a bilingual dictionary Re sits (in the case of temporary illness /injury) In some cases awarding bodies may permit an Approved Centre to implement reasonable adjustments without seeking prior permission from the awarding body. This will depend on the specific BCS qualification and the nature of the assessment system. Please refer to Appendix A: Permissions Table BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

5 Details of Reasonable Adjustments Allocation of Additional Time. All applications for additional time will be individually considered. The standard time extension that BCS approves for assessments, based on ECDL Foundation qualifications, is 33% (e.g. 15 minutes in the case of ECDL Parts 1 and 2) but extensions up to an extra 100% can be approved depending on the nature of the candidate s disability and the reasonable adjustments that are required. Some of our more recent qualifications which lie outside the field of influence of the Foundation will follow the UK guidelines and a standard time extension of 25% will apply. Support of a Reader. A reader is defined as a person who will read to the candidate any part of the assessment materials or any part of the candidate s answers. Candidates who have difficulty in reading and understanding complex English may require the support of a reader. Support of a Scribe/Amanuensis. A scribe is someone who writes down a candidate s dictated answers to questions. Such support may be required by candidates who have a physical impairment, a visual impairment or a specific learning difficulty. A scribe is not permitted in an assessment requiring keyboard skills such as the application modules in the ECDL qualification. Support of a British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter for Hearing Impaired Candidates. The role of the interpreter is to converse when asked to do so by the candidate, to ensure that the candidate has properly understood the instructions and questions. The role may include saying the word or phrase, rephrasing, using sign language, or the use of writing. Support of a Personal Assistant. Some candidates may require someone for help with personal assistance during the assessment. The personal assistant may assist, e.g. by turning the pages of the question paper. A practical assistant is a person who, during an assessment, carries out practical tasks at the instruction of the candidate. A practical assistant will not normally be allowed in those parts of a qualification where the practical skill is the focus of the assessment BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

6 Support of a Prompter. Candidates with severe attention problems may benefit from the use of a prompter in timed assessment situations to draw their attention back to the assessment task. Use of Assistive Technology. Where possible the candidate should use their own equipment. Such equipment should be verified by the Approved Centre in order to ensure there is no hidden information or access to information. If their own equipment cannot be used, assistive technology which mirrors that of the candidate ought to be provided. The list below is indicative of the most common assistive technologies currently available. It is to be taken as a guideline only. Hardware Alternative keyboards and mice, including: Keyboards with Braille labelled keyboards or home-row key indicators Joysticks/trackerballs/rollerballs/mouse keys on keyboard Mouth stick Braille display Switches (alternative input to keyboard and mouse, used by individuals with physical disability) Large monitors Headphones and volume adjustment for use with voice output/input software packages Software Operating System Accessibility features such as Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, Mouse speed adjustments, etc Screen magnification software Screen reading software (supporting users with a visual impairment or dyslexia) Voice recognition software BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

7 Use of bi-lingual dictionaries and translators. Bi-lingual dictionaries may be allowed for candidates whose first language is not English. Change in the Assessment Room. Minor changes to the organisation of the assessment room may benefit some candidates with autistic spectrum disorder, with visual or hearing impairment or with physical difficulties. For example: Autistic candidates may benefit from having visual/noise stimuli, such as a ticking clock, removed from the room. Visually impaired candidates may benefit from sitting near a window so that they have good lighting. Hearing impaired candidates may benefit from being seated near the front of the room. Some candidates may benefit from using chairs with arm rests or adjustable heights. Use of appropriate assessment locations. A Centre may offer assessments at other locations that meet the requirements set out in this manual, e.g. assessments may be conducted at a client s site. Centres can only operate in this way for a maximum of six months. If more than six months is required the location must be registered as a Satellite Site. Members of Approved Centre staff must conduct the assessments and must be registered with BCS. Working in Clients Homes Whereas visiting candidates or clients in their own home is highly likely not to incur any risks, there are health and safety elements which should be considered before Centre staff go off-site to work with individuals outside of the normal working environment. Any Centre wishing to offer off-site assessments must download and complete the Off site Assessment Form from the Approved Centre Forum and make it available for inspection at audit. Do not post the form to BCS. This form needs to be completed on each occasion an assessment takes place and exam conditions must be adhered to at all times. The Centre must also complete the Access to Assessment online request form to apply for offsite testing and submit it to BCS Qualifications BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

8 Rest breaks. Some candidates who may be disadvantaged by specific set times may require breaks. BCS will consider requests for rest breaks, the duration of which will not be deducted from the assessment time. Breaks during an assessment must be supervised and the duration of the break agreed with the assessment invigilator. The candidate must not discuss the assessment with any third party during a break period, nor refer to books or any other source of help. Other reasonable adjustments. The reasonable adjustments listed above are not intended to be comprehensive. Others will be considered in line with the BCS Qualifications Access to Assessment Policy Statement BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

9 Guidance to Approved Centres on the provision of reasonable adjustments. Refer to the Permissions Table in Appendix A for guidance as to whether a Centre should contact BCS regarding access to assessment arrangements. If in doubt, please contact BCS Qualifications via a2a@hq.bcs.org.uk or telephone Strict guidelines during the assessment process must be maintained. For example: Arrangements for the appointment and use of third party support, e.g. a scribe or a British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter, will be the responsibility of the Centre Manager. It is the responsibility of the Centre Manager to ensure the use of third party support does not give the candidate an unfair advantage or indeed disadvantage the candidate. The third party support should not normally be the candidate s own tutor, except in circumstances where it is necessary to do so. In such cases, BCS should be specifically consulted. On no account may a relative, friend or peer of the candidate be used. In fairness to the candidate, the support person should have had practice working with the candidate in preparation for the assessment. The reader should only read the exact wording (instructions and questions), and not give meanings of words, rephrase or interpret anything. The reader should only repeat instructions and questions on the paper when specifically requested to do so by the candidate. The reader should not advise the candidate which questions to do, when to move on to the next question, or the order in which the questions should be answered. The British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter must be a qualified teacher of the deaf or be appointed by a qualified teacher of the deaf. The interpreter should have a good working knowledge of the content of the assessment. The centre should ensure that the interpreter has access to the assessment material in advance of the assessment, to prepare for the signing. Care must be taken not to indicate the meaning of technical words in cases where the candidate s understanding of these words is inherent in the purpose of the question. The interpretation should not explain or clarify. In some instances it may be more appropriate to finger-spell a word BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

10 A scribe/amanuensis must write down answers exactly as they are dictated by the candidate. The scribe should not advise the candidate which questions to do, when to move on to the next question, or the order in which the questions should be answered. For a candidate requiring a scribe and a reader, the same person may act as both, provided permission has been given for both. A candidate using a reader, scribe or British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter must be accommodated separately to avoid disturbing other candidates. The Centre Manager will have to use their discretion in the case of a personal assistant or prompter. A separate invigilator must be present when any third party support, e.g. a reader, is used. The Centre must document the name of the reader, scribe or interpreter with the candidate s archived test material for audit purposes. Any assistive technology used by a candidate must have been approved by BCS for the individual candidate s needs. The computer must only be used, during the assessment, by the candidate and not by a third party supporting the candidate. BCS recognises that candidates whose first language is not English are eligible for reasonable adjustments. If a candidate has been in the UK for less than two years, the supporting evidence should take the form of a report from the Centre Manager that confirms that the candidate has been in the country for less than two years and includes information about the necessary support that the candidate has required during the training programme and mock exam. If a candidate has been in the UK for more than two years, the supporting evidence must include a report from a learning support/basics skills specialist. Please ensure that the name and status of the specialist is included in the 'Reasons' section in the Access to Assessment online request form. The Centre will need to renew the application when 12 months have elapsed since the first assessment. As well as extra time of up to 33%, we can approve a bilingual dictionary. This applies whether the candidate has been in the UK for more than two years or less than two years BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

11 BCS does not give access to the international versions of ECDL assessments and does not permit staff at an Approved Centre to translate the assessment material into another language. The Centre Manager must ensure that the assessment location and facilities, used by candidates with a particular assessment need, meet the requirements of the candidate. If the assessment location needs to accommodate a third party support, distances between candidates must be considered. The invigilator must have prior information of any candidate s reasonable adjustments and the name and remit of any third party support that has been approved by BCS. There is a broad range of learning difficulties and some of the implications such as speed of processing and organisation of ideas are not obvious. Therefore, BCS requires candidates to be assessed by a suitably qualified person to ensure that the access arrangements for the candidate are appropriate. The Centre Manager must arrange for the candidate to be assessed by a qualified psychologist or specialist teacher. The Centre Manager must take reasonable steps to satisfy themselves that the teacher assessing the candidate s needs has the required level of competence. The online submission form requires the Centre Manager to provide the name and professional qualifications of the person who has carried out the assessment of the candidate. The use of a practical assistant should not modify the specification requirements. For example, the manipulation of apparatus or making accurate visual observations may be the skill being assessed and in these cases the use of a practical assistant will not be permitted BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

12 Procedures for Centres which apply to BCS requesting Reasonable Adjustments for candidates. Access to Assessment Request Form. When applying for reasonable adjustments, we expect that the request from the Approved Centre is based on the candidate's "usual way of working", for which there would have to be some evidence. Requests for reasonable adjustments must be made by the Centre Manager, or a nominated member of staff, by completing the online version of the Access to Assessment Request Form. The online form can be located using the Access to Assessment link on the Approved Centre Forum homepage. If you have technical problems submitting the online form, please contact BCS via qualifications@hq.bcs.org.uk quoting your Approved Centre name and ID. In exceptional cases, BCS will allow centres to use Appendix B, the paper based alternative. Information about the physical or mental health or condition of a person is 'sensitive personal data'. The Approved Centre is required by the Data Protection Act to take additional precautions when dealing with such data and it must not be sent to BCS by fax. Advice on this issue is to be found in Appendix E. In all cases the information and/or supporting evidence should only be sent to BCS if the Approved Centre has the candidate s written consent. An example of a consent form is found in Appendix F. A copy of the consent form should be retained at the Approved Centre for audit purposes. Before an Access to Assessment Request Form is submitted, BCS would expect the following criteria have been met: The Approved Centre has registered the candidate with BCS The candidate has completed a training programme The candidate has attempted a mock/sample assessment arranged by the Approved Centre Please note that if the amount of extra time is above 33% (e.g. more than 15 minutes), the Approved Centre should specify the extra time required (up to a limit of 100%) using the objective evidence provided by the candidate s experiences in a mock/sample assessment. We recommend that the online form is submitted at least 10 working days before the date of the first assessment. At this stage supporting evidence does not need to be sent. The details on the online form will be processed, a BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

13 decision will be made and the Centre Manager will be notified by . In some cases, BCS will require supporting evidence before a final decision can be made. Supporting Evidence. When the implications are clear, e.g. candidates who are registered as blind or partially sighted, candidates with physical difficulties or a profound hearing impairment, a statement from the Approved Centre is sufficient. The Centre does not need to provide further evidence such as a medical note from a GP. Where the implications of the disability or difficulty are not obvious, BCS will expect Centres to have supporting evidence regarding the effect of the impairment on the candidate s performance in an exam. This would cover requests regarding issues such as: A specific learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, or Candidates for whom English is a second or additional language, or A temporary illness or injury If supporting evidence is required before a final decision can be made, we will inform Approved Centres by . The supporting evidence (if authorised by the candidate), should be sent by post to: BCS Qualifications Access to Assessment Department Block D, North Star House North Star Ave SWINDON, SN2 1FA The letter should be labelled as Strictly Private and Confidential. Alternatively, it can be sent as an attachment to qualifications@hq.bcs.org.uk. Please ensure that the attachment is sent as a zip file with password protection. Which forms of supporting evidence will be acceptable? Written evidence of assessments of the candidate s needs made within the Approved Centre by relevant staff with competence and responsibility in this area. This could include learning support staff, teaching staff, trainers, assessors and other specialist staff. Information BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

14 from previous Approved Centres attended by the candidate may also be used. History of provision within the Approved Centre. This should include information about the support received by the candidate during the learning or training programme and during formative assessments. Written evidence of assessments done by independent, authoritative, external specialists. This can take the form of a report or assessment from a health professional, educational psychologist or other appropriate specialist. These reports/assessments should state the name, title and professional credentials of the person who carried out the tests and wrote the report. The report should set out the nature of the difficulty and the extent to which the candidate is affected by the difficulty; including the effects of any medication that the candidate may be taking. In cases where there could be significant improvements in the way the candidate is affected by the difficulty, the assessments and consultations should have been carried out within the preceding two years by an independent expert. A letter from another awarding body. The Approved Centre should decide which of the above forms of evidence will best assist an understanding of the candidate s requirements. It should be noted that it is the Approved Centre s responsibility to authenticate the candidate s need for assistance. We would expect that the evidence includes reference to the candidate s experiences with a mock /sample assessment. In the case of e-citizen candidates, it is sufficient to use written evidence of assessments made by relevant Approved Centre staff such as learning support staff and teaching staff. What should be sent to BCS? BCS will be expecting supporting evidence in the form of either a report from: the Approved Centre, or a health professional/ educational psychologist/ specialist or the Confirmation of Access to Assessment Form. This is found in Appendix D and can also be downloaded from the link to the Access to Assessment Form on the Approved Centre Forum homepage. It can be used by a member of the BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

15 Approved Centre staff or the independent expert to summarise their supporting evidence, and is then countersigned by the Centre Manager, or a letter from another awarding body. BCS will process the supporting evidence and notify the Centre Manager of the decision by . The request must be approved before the candidate sits the assessment. The Centre Manager should retain a copy of the supporting evidence documentation at the Approved Centre until the audit visit after the candidate completes the qualification or leaves the Approved Centre. The External Verifier may request to see this evidence (with the candidate s permission) as part of the annual audit. Enquiries about any aspect of the Access to Assessment policy should be made to the Access to Assessment team via qualifications@hq.bcs.org.uk or telephone Confidentiality. Approved Centres and BCS will keep in confidence all correspondence and documentation it receives, as stated within the Approved Centre Contract BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

16 Procedures for Centres which have permission to approve Reasonable Adjustments for candidates. Access to Assessment Information Form. BCS Qualifications has introduced qualifications such as Digital Cre8or in which the assessment criteria are assessed using evidence and portfolio material. Instead of seeking prior approval from BCS, the Centre has permission to approve reasonable adjustments on behalf of the candidate. For such qualifications, the Centre staff must use the Access to Assessment Form in Appendix C. It must be completed on behalf of each candidate at the start of the course and updated as necessary during the candidate s course of study. Both this form and the Monitoring Form must be retained by the Centre and made available for audit purposes. Centre staff should use this form to record: details of reasonable adjustments approved by the Centre any assessment task or part of a task that is completed by the tutor because the candidate was unable to carry it out themselves Centre staff should also refer to Appendix G for guidelines on how course tutors can support candidates who attempt theory and practical assessments. Centres must retain a copy of this form and the relevant supporting evidence, and make them available to awarding body personnel upon request. Enquiries about any aspect of these procedures should be made to the Access to Assessment team via qualifications@hq.bcs.org.uk or telephone Centres should not contact External Verifiers (EVs) for advice BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

17 APPENDIX A PERMISSIONS TABLE Key: A. Apply to the awarding body for permission B. Reasonable adjustment permitted at the discretion of the Centre** Reasonable Adjustment Assessments which are taken under examination conditions to include ECDL, e-citizen. Extra time up to 25% (33% for A ECDL F qualifications) Extra time in excess of 25% A N/A (33% for ECDL F qualifications) Supervised rest breaks A N/A Change in the organisation of A B assessment room Separate accommodation A B within the centre Taking the assessment at an A B alternative venue Use of coloured overlays, low A B vision aids, tinted spectacles, CCTV, OCR scanners and amplification equipment Use of assistive software A B Use of bilingual and bilingual A B translation dictionaries Assessment material in A B* enlarged format Assessment material in Braille A B* Language modified assessment A B* material Assessment material in BSL A B* Assessment material on A B coloured paper Assessment material in audio format A B* Other qualifications where assessments are not taken under examination conditions to include Digital Cre8or, ITQ. N/A BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

18 Further Notes Use of ICT N/A N/A Responses using electronic N/A B** devices Responses in BSL N/A B** Responses in Braille N/A B** Reader A B Scribe A B BSL/ English interpreter A B Prompter A B Practical assistant A A Transcriber N/A N/A * You do not need to apply to BCS for approval to produce internal assessment material in Large Print, Braille, audio or sign to the candidate, so long as it does not invalidate the assessment criteria. ** A candidate should be provided with the means to present their responses by a method most appropriate and familiar to them, so long as it does not invalidate the assessment criteria or the integrity of the qualification. For example: An audio response cannot be used if the assessment requirement is to produce visual material. The person doing the BSL/English translation must be suitably qualified and the BSL responses must be accompanied by an authenticated translation into English which is stored for audit purposes. The Braille response must be accompanied by an authenticated transcript in English which is stored for audit purposes. External Verifiers (EVs) are not to be consulted for permission for reasonable adjustments to be applied BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

19 APPENDIX B ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT REQUEST FORM Where Centres apply to BCS for Reasonable Adjustments Any information requested below and any documentation regarding the need for reasonable adjustments in an assessment will be considered as strictly confidential (as specified within the Approved Centre Contract ) and will not be shared without the candidate s written consent. Only use this paper based form if technical issues prevent a Centre from using the online request form. The details below must be completed and signed by the Centre Manager. Information on this form is used internally within BCS only and will not be shown on the candidate's Log Book (or Skills Card) or Certificate. The form must be returned to BCS (see address below) and approved before the candidate sits the assessment. Please allow at least 10 working days before the date of the first assessment. If the appropriate supporting evidence is not sent to BCS or held at the Approved Centre, the candidate s application cannot be accepted. Name of qualification Candidate Name Candidate Log Book (Skills Card)/BCS Candidate Registration ID Centre Name Centre I.D. Centre Manager Centre Manager Address Centre Telephone Number Date of first planned assessment Manual assessment On-line assessment If on-line assessment, the name of the test. provider. Additional time required: - Up to 33% (e.g. 15 minutes). - Above 33%. - Amount of time required if above 33%.. Minutes BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

20 Details of the personal support, e.g. reader and /or assistive technology, e.g. magnification software that is required: Please indicate the form of evidence that supports the candidate s request: - Approved Centre s assessments of the candidate s needs - History of provision/support within the Centre - Health professional/ed. psychologist report - Confirmation of Access to Assessment form - Letter from another awarding body granting reasonable adjustments - Other (please give details) Please indicate if the supporting evidence: - Will be sent to BCS, or - Retained by the Centre Signed:. Centre Manager Date:. Return to: BCS Qualifications Access to Assessment Department Block D, North Star House North Star Avenue SWINDON, SN2 1FA BCS QUALIFICATIONS USE ONLY Approved By Date of Approval BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

21 MONITORING FORM This part of the form will be kept separate from the rest of this document. It will be used for monitoring purposes only. No personal details should be printed on this page. Type of Disability/ Difficulty Physical Behavioural, Emotional and Social Sensory Specific Learning Difficulty English as a second or additional language BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

22 APPENDIX C ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT INFORMATION FORM Where Centres have Permission to approve Reasonable Adjustments for Candidates. This document is an essential part of the candidate s record of work. It must be completed at the start of the course and updated as necessary during the candidate s course of study. Centres must not use the online request form. Any information requested below and any documentation regarding the need for reasonable adjustments in an assessment will be considered as strictly confidential (as specified within the Approved Centre Contract ) and will not be shared without the candidate s written consent. The details below must be completed and signed by the Centre Manager. Information on this form is used internally within the Centre and will not be shown on the candidate s certificate. Both this form and the Monitoring Form must be retained by the Centre and made available for audit purposes. Name of Qualification Candidate Name BCS Candidate ID Centre Name Centre ID Centre Manager (name) Course Commencement Date BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

23 Details of reasonable adjustments e.g. reader and/or assistive technology such as magnification software, permitted by Centre. Refer to the Permissions Table (Appendix A): Details of help provided by tutor during an internal assessment. Please list the assessment criteria where the task was carried out on behalf of the candidate by the candidate s tutor. Assessment Criterion (reference) Name of Tutor Additional Comments BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

24 Please indicate the form(s) of evidence presented supporting the candidate s request for reasonable adjustments: - Health professional/educational psychologist report - Approved Centre s assessment(s) of the candidate s needs - History of provision/support within the Centre - Letter from another awarding body granting reasonable adjustments - Other (please give details).. Signed: (Centre Manager) Print Name: Date: BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

25 MONITORING FORM This Monitoring Form and the forms on pages 1 and 2 must be retained by the Centre and made available for audit purposes. This part of the form must be kept separate from pages 1 and 2. It will be used for monitoring purposes only. No personal details should be printed on this page. Type of Disability/ Difficulty Physical Behavioural, Emotional and Social Sensory Specific Learning Difficulty English as a second or additional language BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

26 APPENDIX D CONFIRMATION OF ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT FORM I have known (Candidate s name) since (Date) in my capacity as (Professional title) Additional time required: - Up to 33% (e.g. 15 minutes). - Above 33%. - Amount of additional time required if above 33%.. Minutes. Communication/Support, e.g. an interpreter, a reader, rest breaks: Assistive Technology, e.g. screen reading software, ergonomic keyboard: Centre Staff or Independent Expert. Name (please print): Professional title: Signature: Date: Centre Manager. Name (please print): Signature: Date: BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

27 APPENDIX E DISCLOSURE AND CONFIDENTIALITY In order to make adjustments, there is a duty on Approved Centres to take reasonable steps to encourage candidates to disclose a disability. For example, candidates should be encouraged to advise the appropriate person of their disability at the point of registration for the qualification. Once the information has been obtained, the Approved Centre is required by law to process the data fairly and lawfully. This means that the candidate must know what information the relevant organisation holds about them, what they will do with it and to whom this information may be disclosed. Information about whether or not someone is disabled should only be available to those people who need to know in order to discharge the Approved Centre s responsibilities towards the candidate under the Disability Discrimination Act. BCS will not pass on in written form any sensitive information without the candidate s written consent. Summary of Steps to take before passing on information 1. Obtain details of the candidate s needs. 2. Keep a secure record of the details. 3. Advise the candidate to whom the information will be passed and for what the information will be used. 4. Obtain the candidate s written consent to pass on the information to the relevant parties. BCS will keep in confidence all correspondence and documentation received in accordance with the Data Protection Act. The Disability Discrimination Act identifies sensitive personal data as a sub set of personal data and this includes any information relating to a candidate s disability BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

28 APPENDIX F SAMPLE CONSENT FORM TO PASS ON INFORMATION Information about disability is classed as sensitive personal data and will be processed by the Approved Centre and BCS in accordance with the Data Protection Act The Approved Centre has a duty under the Disability Discrimination Act to make reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates. In order to make these adjustments, some information regarding your disability may have to be disclosed to various relevant members of staff in the Approved Centre and/or BCS, the awarding body for this qualification. Detailed information about your impairments or medical information will not be passed on unless it is deemed relevant to making reasonable adjustments. You can request that no information about your disability is passed on to others, or you can request that information is restricted to certain people. However, you should be aware that if you do this, it could limit the types of adjustments that the Approved Centre and/or BCS can make for you. You should also be aware that even if you have asked for information about your disability not to be passed on to other relevant staff at an Approved Centre and/or BCS, there could be certain instances where this may still have to be done for reasons of health and safety, emergency or public policy. I consent to data regarding my disability to be passed on to relevant Approved Centre staff and BCS (please circle): Yes No Restricted If you have circled Restricted, please indicate below to whom you consent to information being passed:.. Candidate Name Candidate Signature:... Date:... Centre Manager Signature: BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

29 APPENDIX G Tutor Guidelines for Qualifications where Reasonable Adjustments are approved by the Centre Knowledge and Understanding assessments: A scribe can be used to help a candidate respond to knowledge and understanding assessments by, for example, typing or writing down their responses. Responses must be transcribed verbatim by the scribe. ICT/Physical practical assessments: A personal assistant can provide support so long as it does not invalidate the assessment specification. For example, they can indicate to the candidate where a piece of equipment is found. The use of a personal assistant must not modify the specification requirements. For example, the manipulation of equipment (connecting a microphone to a computer) or making accurate visual observations (correct exposure and depth of field) may be the skill being assessed and in these cases the use of a practical assistant will not be permitted. If a particular physical task cannot be demonstrated by a learner, this should not preclude them from obtaining marks for other follow-on tasks. If an assessment task is made up of a number of individual steps, a personal assistant can help a candidate to carry out a performance task (although no credit can accrue) to enable them to attempt a subsequent task that is within their capabilities. Worked Example from Digital Cre8or: A.7.1 Connect an input device to a computer, such as a midi keyboard. Be able to successfully connect an input device such as a midi keyboard to a computer, so that the device is recognised by a digital audio editing program. A.7.2 Play virtual instruments through computer software. Be able to play an input device through a digital audio editing program, so that it can be monitored BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

30 A.7.3 Record virtual instruments via computer software. Be able to successfully record audio from an input device in a digital audio editing program. For A.7.1, The tutor could confirm that the keyboard, computer and cables were available on the table in front of the candidate. The candidate would now be expected to connect successfully the midi keyboard to the computer. It would not be permissible for the tutor to follow the candidate s instructions and connect the two devices on their behalf. If the candidate was unable to successfully connect the midi keyboard to the computer, the tutor can do it on behalf of the candidate (with the candidate awarded no marks for this aspect). The candidate could still attempt the two practical follow on tasks, A.7.2 and A BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

31 APPENDIX H GLOSSARY OF TERMS Access to Assessment Assessment Assistive Technology Audit BCS British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter Centre Manager Disability ECDL Foundation EV External Verifier/Auditor Internal Verification The removal of artificial and unnecessary barriers to the process of judging an individual s competence. The process of making judgments about the extent to which a candidate s work meets the assessment criteria for a qualification, or part of a qualification. Mechanical or electronic devices which help individuals with particular needs to overcome these limitations. A regular (at least annual) visit by one of our staff to review and audit operations and procedures at the Approved Centre and satellite sites. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is the licensed awarding body for a number of IT User qualifications, such as ECDL, in the UK. An individual who interprets communication into and out of British Sign Language. Nominated representative who is responsible for the Approved Centre. A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person s ability to perform normal day-to-day activities. The ECDL-F is the central governing body for the ECDL internationally. The ECDL-F is responsible for the syllabus, assessment and courseware approval. See External Verifier. Member of the BCS staff who is responsible for visiting Approved Centres to review the quality of qualification marking, administration and management. The on-going process of ensuring that the quality of training and assessing is maintained BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3

32 Internal Verifier Invigilator IV Reader Reasonable Adjustments Scribe Test Centre Forum Test Paper A member of the Approved Centre staff who is responsible for carrying out the internal verification process. A registered member of staff who is responsible for the monitoring and invigilation of ECDL certification assessments. See Internal Verifier. A person who will read to the candidate any part of the assessment materials or any part of the candidate s answers. Arrangements which are approved in advance of an examination or assessment to allow attainment to be demonstrated by a candidate with assessment - related needs. A person who writes down a candidate s dictated answers to questions. A secure web site for Approved Centre staff Assessment instructions BCS/POLICY/ACCESS to ASSESS./1109/1.3