Hi Andy
Just wanted to raise a couple of points about your comments. I don't know
how anyone could do an assessment (never mind research then write up the
report) in 1/2 an hour - if you have examples of this I think you (or
others in a similar situation) should get in touch with the the
centre/service and let them know. Assessor's should be working
with/helping disability officers, not creating them more work!  This is a
pretty serious quality control issue that should be resolved, but it
won't be unless there's more feedback. (hope it's not one of my
reports!!).

Also, I'd like to see how an assessor managed to justify a laptop in the
report on the basis that the student just preferred it without any
reasonable explanations based on course/disability, and how this was
approved by the LEA. There are quite a number of problems with laptop
computers (not least their ergonomic design) that should mean the reason
for recommending one is made very clear. The current double-check system
where Awards Officers query anything in the report they're not sure about
works well and I hope it continues to stop this kind of thing happening.

There are problems with making equipment recommendations during the
summer. My main problem has been that there's often no-one around at the
university to talk to about what's the most appropriate platform or what
course-related packages are needed, if appropriate. I even had problems
getting hold of disability officers, and this was a particular problem if
they were on leave when the 'A' level results came out and trying to deal
with 'clearing' students.

Despite these problems, I hope the ability to arrange early assessments
for students who have serious physical/sensory or other disabilities can
continue so that everything is as much in place as can be reasonably
expected to be for the start of term.

Ian Francis




On 22 Nov 2002 at 15:21, Andy Velarde wrote:

> Many thanks David/Joseph. As a disability coordinator my main concern is in
> the quality and standadads of the assessments of needs. I have seen many
> reports witch have clearly been done with the only aim of 'pleasing' the
> student with a laptop to keep him/her happy and no thought about anything
> else (appart for the bill of £440 for their 1/2 hour report). Disability
> officer then will have to pick up the pieces and restructure the assessment
> with the help of LEA officers and some simpathetic assessors. The whole
> process is very time consuming and let you wonder why the students/the tax
> payer paid in the first place. Best regards, AV
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Laycock" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, November 22, 2002 12:47 PM
> Subject: a request from the DfES concerning the effects of early assessments
>
>
> > One of the outcomes of the SKILL review is
> > that students are now able to undergo an
> > assessment of their course-related needs
> > prior to the start of their courses. The
> > assessments can be carried out once
> > students have been notified they are an
> > eligible student under the Student Support
> > Regulations. This means that assessments
> > canusually be carried out from May
> > onwards.
> >
> > Iwould like some feedback from LEA
> > Awards Officers, HEI Disability
> > Advisers,NeedsAssessors and suppliers of
> > DSA equipment on the impact of thisnew
> > arrangement, i.e. how well it has worked and
> > if there are any issues arising . In particular,
> > I would be interestedto hear whether the
> > earlier needs assessment has:
> >
> > 1. requiredmany students to undergo a
> > second assessment,probablybecause they
> > did not attend the course/HEI for which they
> > were originally assessed;
> >
> > 2. required a change in equipment already
> > supplied; and
> >
> > 3. whether many students assessed early
> > did not take up a place in HE.
> >
> > I would be grateful if feedback could be sent
> > to me at the following address:
> >
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> > I am unable to promise individual replies, but
> > I will collate responses for consideration by
> > the DSA forum looking at the
> > recommendations in the SKILL report.
> > Thank you for your help.
> >
> > John Joseph
> >
>