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The CQI is committed to enabling all candidates to have equal opportunity to demonstrate their attainment. The Access to Qualifications policy is to assist candidates with recognised disabilities studying for the CQI qualifications (both examination and assignment assessed modules).

Arrangements are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The CQI welcomes feedback from both education centres and candidates. Centres who would like to develop their own customer specific schemes are invited to write to the Education Manager at The CQI, 12 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EE.

Overall principles for alternative assessment

The CQI aims to ensure that:

1. Alternative assessment arrangements provide candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate attainment.
2. Alternative assessment arrangements compensate for any disadvantage imposed by the disability but do not otherwise advantage candidates.

Candidates for whom alternative assessment arrangements may be made

1. Recognised permanent or semi-permanent disabilities:
   • confinement to home
   • dyslexia
   • physical disabilities
   • visual impairment
   • hearing impairments
2. Temporary disabilities:
   • Candidates having a short term disability/ illness may need to apply for alternative assessment arrangements at short notice.
   • Centres are advised to write to the CQI giving full details of the nature of the disability/illness. Cases will be dealt with individually and medical evidence may be required.
3. Candidates with other disabilities
   • Most candidates with disabilities will be covered by the recognised disabilities section. Centres are advised to write to the CQI giving full details of the nature of the disability/illness. Cases will be dealt with individually and medical evidence may be required.

Alternative Assessment Arrangements

Additional Time

Where appropriate, additional time may be permitted. Additional time will not be indicated on a candidate certificate. Candidates requesting extra time due to a disability will be required to submit a medical or educational psychologist's report. The extra time stipulated will be indicated on the reply.

Supervised Rest Breaks

Supervised rest breaks may be permitted. Circumstances where this may be requested include cases where candidates have physical disabilities and the use of an amanuensis has been agreed.

The duration of the breaks will not be deducted from the examination time.

Signers/Communicators

All the CQI examinations are in written format and it should not be necessary to provide signers for this purpose. The centre should be aware that the invigilation of examinations must be communicated effectively.

Modified Examination or Assignment Papers

Braille and enlarged question papers may be requested.

The use of Braille and enlarged question papers will normally be indicated on certificates. Candidates should be registered disabled and their full name and registration details sent to the CQI.

Amanuenses

Where appropriate, the use of an amanuensis may be permitted. Centres should note that the use of an amanuensis will normally be noted on certificates. Examples of where this may be appropriate are in the case of broken arm, or where a recurrence of a longstanding illness that makes writing impossible.

Requesting Alternative Assessment Arrangements

Centres wishing to apply for alternative assessment arrangements for a candidate will be required to complete a Request for Alternative Assessment ED-05 form. This form should be sent to the CQI at least six weeks prior to the date of the examination. A copy of the form is provided in the centre handbook and on www.thecqi.org/education/h16.shtml

Centres requesting a paper in Braille should notify the CQI at least 10 weeks prior to the examination date.

Before requesting Alternatives Assessment requirements centres must take reasonable steps to confirm as far as is possible that the candidate does have a recognised disability or short-term illness.

Medical Certificates and Evidence

A medical certificate is not required if a candidate is registered disabled. Their registration details will suffice.

Where a candidate is not registered disabled then a report by an Education Psychologist (suitably qualified) or medical report by a GP will be required. This will support applications for temporary impairments, dyslexia, learning difficulties, etc.

Notes on the Use of Amanuenses

An amanuensis is a scribe who, during the course and/or examination, writes down a candidate's dictated answers to questions. Candidates are eligible to use amanuenses if they have long-term or temporary disabilities which prevent them from communicating by any other means. Where a reader is used then the same person can act as both.

Permission for the use of an amanuensis must be obtained from the CQI prior to the examination or the commencement of coursework.

The use of an amanuensis should not give a candidate an unfair advantage, nor should it further handicap the candidate.

The use of an amanuensis must not modify the specific syllabus requirements for the subject being examined. In some cases, the writing of answers by the candidate may be the skill being examined.

Additional time will be permitted for the use of an amanuensis and will normally be up to 25% of the prescribed duration of the examination.

An amanuensis should be a person who is able to produce an accurate record of the candidate's answers and can write legibly at a reasonable speed. He/she should also have a working knowledge of that subject.

An amanuensis is responsible to the head of centre, and the person who is to act as the amanuensis must be acceptable to the head of centre.

An amanuensis should not normally be the candidate's own teacher, but there may be circumstances in which this is necessary. The CQI must be informed in advance. The amanuensis can not be a relative of the candidate.

It is recommended that candidates should acquire experience of using an amanuensis in advance of the examination.

The head of centre must ensure that there are suitable arrangements for the proper supervision of the use of an amanuensis.

Notes on the use of Readers

A reader is someone who, during the course and/or examination, reads to the candidate. Candidates are eligible to use readers if they have long-term or temporary disabilities which prevent them from communicating by any other means. Where an amanuensis and a reader are required then the same person can act as both.

Permission for the use of a reader must be obtained from the CQI prior to the examination or the commencement of coursework.

The use of a reader should not give a candidate an unfair advantage, nor should it further handicap the candidate.

The use of a reader must not modify the specific syllabus requirements for the subject being examined. In some cases, the reading of material by the candidate may be the skill being examined. In such cases a reader cannot be permitted.

Additional time will be permitted for the use of a reader and will normally be up to 25% of the prescribed duration of the examination.

A reader should be a person who is able to read accurately and at a reasonable rate. He/she should also have a working knowledge of the subject.

A reader is responsible to the head of centre, and the person who is to act as the reader must be acceptable to the head of centre.

A reader should not normally be the candidate's own teacher but there may be circumstances where this is necessary. The CQI must be informed in advance. The reader can not be a relative of the candidate

It is recommended that candidates should acquire experience of using a reader in advance of the examination.

The head of centre must ensure that there are suitable arrangements for the proper supervision of the use of a reader.

IF THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH THE CANDIDATE COULD BE DISQUALIFIED.

• during the examination a reader must read accurately and read only the text/questions giving no emphasis or advice.
• must not give factual help or offer suggestions.
• must not advise candidates of which questions to attempt or any other prompts.
• should read the questions and answers as often as requested.
• should advise on time elapsed and time remaining if asked.
• must give spellings of words only if requested by the candidate.
• should be prepared for periods where they are not required.
• must immediately refer any problems in communication to the examination invigilator.

A request for further consideration of the candidate should be submitted to the centre if the head of centre feels this is appropriate.