Student who spells by blinking is denied chance to sit exam
Summary
Romi Loffler, a 21-year-old student with Rett Syndrome who spells by blinking, was not allowed by Scotland's exam authority to take her National 5 history exam with needed adjustments. Her family requested that she could answer one question at a time over several weeks and use a pre-agreed list of words, but this was denied, even though similar accommodations were made in England for students using eye-gaze technology.Key Facts
- Romi has Rett Syndrome, a condition that makes speaking and moving difficult.
- She spells by blinking, taking about 30 minutes to write one sentence.
- Romi passed National 4 history last year and aimed to pass National 5 this year.
- Qualifications Scotland rejected her family’s request to let her take the exam gradually with special help.
- Similar adjustments were allowed in England for students taking GCSE exams using eye-gaze technology.
- Romi’s family wanted her to answer one question at a time and use a "bank" of words to avoid spelling everything out.
- Qualification Scotland worried Romi might get an unfair advantage but did not consider her physical challenges.
- Romi and her family believe the exam system should adapt to give disabled students fair chances to show their knowledge.
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