The Governemnt annouced yesterday that DSAs are to be extended to Post
Graduates. Skill;s Press Release is detailed below.
For release 10 May 2000
Contact: Martin Sissons (020 7450 0634 or [log in to unmask])
New support for disabled postgraduate students
"Skill welcomes the announcement by the Department for Education and
Employment today of Disabled Students' Allowances for postgraduate students.
Up to £5,000 per year will be available to meet disability related costs on
part time or full time post-graduate courses. This sends a clear message
that high level academic research and professional qualifications are now
real options for disabled people in the UK.
This is a great step forward for some of the most able disabled students. Up
to now they have found it extremely difficult to undertake post-graduate
courses. Skill receives thousands of enquiries every year, many from
disabled people who are surprised to find that the support they had to take
a degree or HND will disappear if they aim for post-graduate study.
"There are three main barriers to disabled people who want to do
postgraduate study: money, money and money," said Sophie Corlett, Policy
Director (Higher Education) at Skill. "Finance has to be found for fees, for
daily living costs, and for the extra costs of studying that disability can
bring." Disabled students often need a particular item of equipment such as
a PC with voice recognition software, or human support such as an assistant
to take notes. Government Disabled Students' Allowances will help to reduce
this extra financial burden so disabled students can concentrate on all the
other challenges of trying to study at the post-graduate level. However,
discrimination continues to exists, and Skill hopes that the new legislation
on Disability Rights in Education due this year will protect disabled people
who want to go onto post-graduate study.
This announcement is another step towards Skill's goal. That disabled people
will be able to do the courses they prefer and receive equivalent levels of
support regardless of mode of study or where they happen to live."
Amy questions please get back to me
Martin Sissons
Information Service Manager
Skill, Chapter House
18-20 Crucifix Lane
London SE1 3JW
[log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|