I also think the NUS should have a campaign to ensure that the money given
to institutions for every student on DSA they accept goes into an
accountable, disability-specific purpose. This could help with lots of
things, including support for international students who don't get enough
from their home countries.

Catherine Turner

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of John Conway
> Sent: 18 November 2002 08:55
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: SWD Conference and NUS policy
>
>
> Barry,
>
> Can you - and anyone else - perhaps lead a movement to extend DSA
> funding to
> students on courses other than straight undergraduate degrees? I have
> students on a two year diploma recognised in our portfolio of courses by
> HEFCE which LEAs will not fund - and to make it worse, some will
> some won't
> - so I have two students sitting side by side, one with his shiny new
> laptop, the other with nowt.
>
> It seems discriminatory that only degree students get support.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Dr. John S Conway
> Disability officer
> Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 6JS
> Phone +44 (0) 1285 652531 ext 2234
> Fax +44 (0) 1285 650219
> http://www.royagcol.ac.uk/~john_conway/
> <http://www.royagcol.ac.uk/~john_conway/>
>
> Declaration : CONFIDENTIALITY: The contents of this message are
> the views of
> the author, not necessarily the views of the Royal Agricultural College.
> This is a private message intended for the named addressee(s) only. Its
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> please reply to say so and then delete the message. Any use, copying,
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>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Barry Farleigh [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 8:26 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: SWD Conference and NUS policy
>
> Hi Everybody,
>
> The National Union of Students (NUS) Is as you probably all know a
> representational, campaigning and lobbying organisation - the voice of UK
> students. To do the campaign and lobbying work NUS must have policy passed
> by conference - the democratic process.
>
> This is done by our constituent members (student unions,
> guilds and
> associations) submitting motions. The motions can be on any issue
> that has a
> direct or indirect affect on students. As the elected NUS Students with
> Disabilities (SWD) Officer my direct concern are motions passed
> that NUS are
> then mandated to work and campaign on that have a beneficial affect on the
> lives and educational opportunities of all disabled students.
>
> One of the problems NUS face are our student union officers are
> elected and may not be fully aware of all the issues relevant to disabled
> students (that includes myself). If we miss the window of opportunity to
> submit motions to the SWD annual conference we lose another year and the
> officers change - the process starts again. If we have good motions passed
> they then form the policy NUS are mandated to campaign and work
> on and I (or
> whoever) the elected officer is, has to work on. Being a political elected
> animal nice soft fluffy motions / policy makes my life easy. Unfortunately
> for me being a dedicated activist for disability rights 'Inclusion not
> Exclusion' I do not do nice or fluffy and will work my socks off for the
> students I represent.
>
> I am therefore asking for your help as the experts who unlike us
> elected officers who just jet in for a year then out again, you guys work
> everyday at the coal face, day in and day out and are so aware of all the
> issues. At times you must be very frustrated by the system, the restraints
> and the lack of equality you must come across in your everyday work
> supporting SWD students.. NUS can help you, as if we are fully
> aware of the
> issues, pass policy on them, then we NUS are both free and mandated to
> campaign actively on those issue without fear of reprisal, as we are not
> employed - we can rock the boat - I defiantly will rock the boat.
>
> As the sole full time person working on disability issues
> within NUS
> - I have no research or support staff - I'm it. I own up to not being
> totally knowledgeable in all areas. One of the areas my knowledge
> is lacking
> is all the various funding (or lack of) that's available for disabled
> students within FE prior (if ever) they reach the opportunity to access
> DSA's in HE.
>
> Therefore with your help if you are prepared to highlight
> the major
> issues - I will endeavour to make sure they are covered by motions and
> submitted to SWD Conference via the democratic process. Then if
> passed they
> become the policy that NUS are committed to campaign and work on. Time is
> tight the deadline for submitting motions is next Friday
> 22.11.2002 at 5pm -
> here are the Important SWD Conference Dates.
>
>
> Friday 22nd November 2002 Close of Motions
>
> Friday 13th December 2002 Close of Nominations
>
> Friday 24th January 2003 Close of Amendments
>
> Friday 24th January 2003 Close of Registration
>
> Thursday 23rd January 2003 Drafting Commission
>
> Monday 10th February to Wednesday 12th February 2003 SWD
> Conference
> - Blackpool
>
>
>
> If you feel you are able to help highlight the issues - I
> personally
> would be very grateful and so ultimately would all the disabled students
> that policy passed by NUS would benefit.
>
>
>
> If you could also help and assist in facilitating SWD students
> attending the SWD conference from you colleges and universities that would
> be brilliant. You would be amazed at the number of times I am told when I
> phone Student Unions - we don't have any disabled students so cant send
> anyone to SWD Conference (its free for one self defining delegate plus
> enabler if required, also free - from every college / university
> who are NUS
> members). They have the disabled students they just don't see or
> want to see
> them. Whereas you guys see them everyday in your working environment and
> that's why I value your help, advice and options.
>
>
>
> I have attached some information on writing and submitting motions
> to NUS SWD Conference for your information that I have sent to
> some colleges
> / universities who are active - not a lot. So any help you guys
> can give me
> in getting more relevant motions to SWD Conference would be much
> appreciated
> and would ultimately benefit all the disabled students - we all represent.
>
>
>
> Thank you all in anticipation of any help you can give. I am
> contactable via email [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]> or [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]> and my mobile numbers are 07930 556058 or 07967
> 479227.
>
>
>
> Kindest Regards
>
> Barry Farleigh
>
> NUS - SWD Officer
>
>
>
>
> << File: SWD Motions.doc >>