Andrena McMenemy

Andrena is 36, and lives with her partner in Glasgow. She has been doing electronic notetaking full time for six months. In September she starts a PhD, and hopes that the flexible nature of electronic notetaking will mean that she can combine earning money with studying for a PhD. She has already completed 70 assignments, varying from accompanying students to helping in careers advisory meetings, and says: "I really enjoy electronic notetaking. It was a real eye-opener into the barriers that deaf people face."

"Every job is an exciting challenge, and so much better than the usual jobs students can do while studying for their PhDs."

Angela Smith

Angela, aged 55, is from Llangeitho in mid-Wales. She hopes that being an electronic notetaker will fit in as well with her hectic lifestyle as the course did. Although married with grandchildren, she juggles her time between studying for a PGCE (which she has just completed), teaching Basic Skills to adults, learning British Sign Language, writing a novel, doing voluntary work, being an electronic notetaker and, in her "spare" time, the occasional bed and breakfast visitor.

She says: "I have finished the course, and have gone on practice work placements which I really enjoy. To do electronic notetaking, it is essential to have a good typing speed and to enjoy helping and meeting people."

"I find electronic notetaking so much more rewarding than just typing. If someone has the ability to do a course or contribute to a meeting, why should they not be able to participate as much as anyone else just because they are deaf? It is a fantastic feeling being able to help."