In my inbox this morning:

[kaberett]

(1) TEST DRIVE OUR NEW COLLEGE WEBSITE FOR ACCESSIBILITY :D?
(2) from the Head of Department to the entire department, approximately "please don't use electronic devices during talks/seminars, because we've had some complaints about it from speakers; make notes by hand instead, please, but also get back to me if you've any feedback and we'll discuss it in the staff meeting on [date]."

To which I have replied:

(1) sure, but be aware that I have a very tiny amount of specialisation in this area so will probably rip if to shreds; and
(2) ... you do realise this is actually an accessibility issue, right?

Comments

[swaldman]

Re (2), even without the accessibility issue I'd argue that it's an outdated and silly rule in this day and age.

[auntsarentgents]

I got that e-mail last week as well :)

[deathbyshinies]

(2) Srsly... SRSLY?

If I'm not having to pitch my voice up to cover the sound of keyboard-tapping and tablet-poking in a lecture, I tend to assume I'm not saying anything interesting and adjust accordingly.

[batdina]

I lectured for 14 years and never had a problem with laptops or anything else being used to keep track of what I was saying. And that was when laptops were legit noisy.

here's hoping your note has impact.

[milkymoon]

Re: no. 2; yes, we've had a few lecturers impose that rule, including one of the ones we have this term. We spoke to our uni's disability services office and they put in an accommodation for us, because it's really very difficult for us to make notes by hand. Not so much because we're dysgraphic, but because it's rather easier to organise, search and read notes when they're in a centralised place on a computer, as opposed to in various discontinuous handwritten notes. I do hope your head of department is receptive to what you've said and sorts it out straightaway.