In the I have worked on a project designed to evaluate the needs
and assist disabled students and graduates in the workplace for the
DfEE. I would be happy to try and answer any specific questions if I
can.
It should be part of the DSA assessment to ensure that the individual
student is equiped to work as independently as possible. This should
include technology, strategies, tuition in the form of study skills
support and personal support, negating as far as possible the need
for scribes, etc.. There are extensive ranges of technology available
which are targeted at most disabilities that when combined with good
working strategies and the benefits of well delivered study skills
give levels of independence which require minimal amounts of personal
support. Obviously there are circumstances where personal support of
some form or another is essential but this can be transfered to the
workplace folowing an Access to Work assessment where the assessor
will evaluate the need of the individual and introduce appropriate
support.
Access to work assessments are usually more complex as they not only
consider the needs of the individual in compoleteing their work
tasks, they also have to take into account health and safety, quality
standards and staff training, especially relating to an individuals
needs as a disabled person within a group etc. This allows more
complex solutions to be put in place than are often anticipated.
As an assessor for both DSA and Access to Work I am aware
that it is easier for the individual to be supported better in the
work place if they have benefitied from a DSA assessment which has
been designed to generate indepenedence in study and life.
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