Last December I was interested in the Social Sciences course
at Northern College so I went to visit the College. I went to meetings with the
College many times and in June I went to a try a course with living independent
for 5 days, I really enjoyed it.
My parents spent a lot of time planning for me
to go and join the course and live independently at the College whilst I was
away travelling. I have had some PAs leave because I thought I was going to
college in Barnsley in September and I also had 2 new CSWs join. I just got
back home and a few days later I was having an interview for a CSW with a lady
from Blackpool and a lady from Oldham. I found out Social Care wouldn’t fund my
independent living and wanted me to travel to Barnsley and back each day but
that the Education funding was fine and that I could still go, as long as I
could do the travelling.
At the last minute on the Friday I got a letter from
Northern College for me to go to in that coming Monday and Tuesday. I went to
do an assessment and have an interview at the College. It was such hard work
having to do 2 English exams in full English. On Wednesday evening my parents told
me that the College had called and said that I had not been accepted on the
course. I was shocked and so upset. On Thursday morning my 2 CSWs called
Northern College and asked why I hadn’t been accepted and they were told that
my English wasn’t good enough.
I feel discriminated against because they don’t understand
about me being Deaf, that BSL is my first language and that I have to translate
to AAC on my Dynavox. I hope that they understand and change their minds.
