In the case of the wheelchair using student who wanted help off-
campus, Bernard seemed to think the University's objections to
this might be somewhat arbitrary and that if the student arranged it
for themselves they could have what they wanted. Isn't it possible
the university was drawing a distinction between DSA NMH support
which must have a very specific academic purpose and more
general social or daily-living support that would not be DSAable but
would have to come from Social Services.
Bernard is right to say that it is the LEA which has the ultimate
say, and we can rely on them so do so if they suspect another
Govt department's responsibilities are being unjustly paid for. But
that doesn't stop university staff who know the rules making them
clear to the student from the start.
Any case for NMH support being delivered in the home and yet still
being purely academic in nature is going to have to be very
carefully worded and explained if it's to avoid being rejected. After
that's been achieved the hourly rate is a piece of cake and up to
whoever is willing to deliver it. Sounds to me like two different
support services are going to have to be arranged, independently
sourced, charge rated and paid for.
Dave Laycock
Head of CCPD
Chair of NADO
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5AL
tel. 020 7911-5161
fax. 020 7911-5162
WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
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