Lecture on the Facilities for Students with Disabilities - IELTS Listening Sample Answer

IELTS Listening section comprises audio of conversations and monologues. There is a total of 40 IELTS listening questions. This topic - A lecture on the facilities for students with disabilities is IELTS Listening section part two. Candidates can need to answer the following IELTS listening question types:

• Identifying information
• Table completion

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Audio Transcript:

Now, listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 13.

Welcome to student times. The program with all the latest on what's happening at universities around the country. Today, we'll be discussing disabled applicants and the kind of support they can expect to find or not find at the university of their choice. With me to tell us more, is student disability advisor, Sally Taylor. Good Morning Sally.

Sally: Good morning to you. I'd like to start by pointing out that although one in four people has some kind of disability, their proportion among students is much lower. This is partly because most students are under 25 and many people only develop their disabilities as they get older, but it is also because some universities don't do much to encourage access. It is true though that some have quite sticky problems when it comes to, for instance wheelchair access and ancient buildings, cobbled streets built centuries ago and so on. When faced with such a situation, some universities make an extra special effort to provide for students with particular disabilities, while others have specialist accommodations. In fact, all universities should have a written policy statement on students with disabilities, setting out what facilities they have and what their attitude is and what they are prepared to do.

But, having said that only you can properly understand the challenges of any disability you have, and so before accepting a place at a university or even while you're considering applying if only to raise the university's awareness, it’s good to talk to them and find out how much they can and will do for you. The problem is, who to talk to. Most universities and some students’ unions have a disability advisor who is supposed to know what facilities they already have and will help with further arrangements, if necessary or possible. However, all too often this person is a token. Sometimes it's just an extra responsibility given to a secretary. They don't know what the situation is in practice, and they don't have any real authority to change anything. So given that for any prospective student it is best to visit a university before applying, it is especially a good idea for students with disabilities or special needs to check whether the place really does come up to scratch. In general, the university should provide personal care address systems, and there are certain key features to look out for, if you have a particular disability including the following.

Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 14 to 20.

Now, listen and answer questions 14 to 20.

Firstly, if your mobility is impaired, check their ramps and easy access to all buildings, not just accommodation or teaching rooms. Then, when you're inside, look for clear instructions on fire and emergency procedures for the disabled. Also make sure, there are lifts that work, not the usual ones that seem to be out of order half the time and check for suitable laboratory facilities.

There is a different set of things to look for, if you suffer from any kind of hearing impairment. There should be induction loops in lecture theatres, flashing fire alarms in all rooms and in accommodation visual doorbells that light up when somebody calls round to see you.

If it is your sight that is impaired, there obviously need to be translators of books and documents. And all buildings, the stairs, floors, doorways and windows must have clear markings and there will also have to be special fire and emergency procedures for you.

If you suffer from dyslexia, you will need a computer for general use and in exams. And as exams may take you longer to complete, you should be allowed extra time in which to do so. This applies to work in general too.

There are of course many other possible health difficulties that you may suffer from, such as diabetes, epilepsy or heart conditions. If this is the case, check the availability of access to appropriate treatment including medication and or therapy.

Finally make sure that in the event of an emergency, it is clear what you and other people who may be involved have to do.

Section 2
Questions 11-20
Q.11-13

Choose THREE letters A-F.
What does Sally say about universities?

1. Compared to the general population, few students are disabled.
2. Most universities don’t want students aged over 25.
3. Old universities can present particular difficulties for the disabled.
4. All university buildings have to provide facilities for the disabled.
5. There arc very few university disability advisors.
6. Some disability advisors can do little to help disabled students.

Questions 11, 12, 13:

Answer: A, C, F, in any order

Explanation: Sally said three things about universities - firstly, in comparison to the overall population, very few students are disabled. Secondly, old universities can present specific difficulties for the disabled. Thirdly, a few of the disability advisors can do little to help disabled students.

Also check:

Questions 14-19

Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Question 14:

Answer: lifts that work

Explanation: One needs to check if the lifts actually work and not the ones that stay broken most of the time.

Question 15:

Answer: hearing impairment

Explanation: If someone is having hearing impairment then they need to check for flashing fire alarms, induction loops, etc.

Question 16:

Answer: visual doorbells

Explanation: Somebody with a hearing impairment needs to have visual doorbells.

Question 17:

Answer: clear markings

Explanation: The buildings should have clear markings for someone with sight impairment.

Question 18:

Answer: extra time

Explanation: Someone suffering from dyslexia needs to be given extra time for writing or when doing other work.

Question 19:

Answer: emergency

Explanation: During emergency procedures, one needs to be prepared with medication, access to treatment, or therapy as and when needed.

Q.20

Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D

20. What is the speaker’s main purpose?

1. to explain why comparatively few students are disabled
2. to advise disabled students what to look for in a university
3. to describe the facilities for the disabled in a particular university
4. to criticize the facilities for the disabled in most universities

Answer: D

Explanation: The speaker’s main purpose is to criticize the facilities for disabilities in most universities.