Guidance notes for assessing divers and instructors with learning difficulties within BSAC.
BSAC recognises that some members may have registered or recognised learning difficulties that will impact on their ability to successfully complete theoretical diving and Instructional assessments. BSAC does not wish to discriminate against anyone with such difficulties and will make every effort to make appropriate allowances for individuals with learning difficulties.
The first step requires that the student for examination should make the learning difficulty known to those responsible for the exam. In the case of qualifications awarded within the branch the student should make their difficulty known to the Training Officer.
In the case of Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI) exams or First Class Diver exams the student should notify BSAC HQ upon registering. This information will be treated in confidence by BSAC HQ, and notified only to the Senior Examiner of an event. The Senior Examiner will, only where appropriate, make this information available to the relevant members of the exam team. The Senior Examiner should contact the student prior to the course or exam in order to discuss and confirm any necessary arrangements for the event. Best endeavours should be made where possible to make the allowances sympathetically and discreetly.
In both situations, club or national, it is really helpful if the student can provide some indication to the examiner of the allowances normally given to the student, perhaps from other education situations. However, it is important to recognise that it may have been some time since the member was in any form of education and that they may not have experienced such allowances being made previously.
There are a number of allowances available to the Training Officer in the club or the Senior Examiner on NQI exams. It is important that the student and the examiner both agree in advance the allowances required so that preparations can be put in place.
Senior Examiners at BSAC Theory Examinations and Training Officers in BSAC clubs can make one or more of the following allowances for candidates with registered or recognised learning difficulties.
Theory exams
- For written theory examinations additional time may be offered. (typically time can be extended by 15 minutes per hour) more time can be offered at the discretion of the Examiner.
- Large print papers can be provided.
- Coloured overlays (normally provided by the student) and spare loose paper can be used.
- Someone can be allocated to read the questions.
- Someone can be allocated to write down the students answers.
- A combination of the above points 4 and 5 may be appropriate.
- A separate room can be provided (and will be required for students requiring a scribe and/or reader).
- The examination can be taken orally.
- A computer based word processing package or a voice recognition package can be used for written answers. Where this option is taken it is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary equipment.
- Theory presentations – allowances can be made for spelling mistakes and word order on visual aids but it should be borne in mind that during the preparation time there would have been opportunities for assistance with this.
- The Examiner may make any other reasonable allowance which enables the Examiner to ascertain the appropriate level of theoretical knowledge whilst at the same time making allowance for the learning difficulty.
Practical exams (BSAC Advanced Instructor and First Class Diver exams)
- There are circumstances where a candidate may be asked to provide written reports of exercises, or to read and/or write during the course of practical examinations.
- In these circumstances the Senior Examiner will either allow more time for the preparation of reports or allow the oral presentation of information for candidates with learning difficulties.
