We totally agree with you that they should take responsibility but the
reality is that the majority of them, through their disability or lack
of responsible attitude or what ever, they don't. The question became
'How important is this equipment to them?' So we took the view that
unless something fundamental changes within them we have to take that
initiative ourselves. We feel it has been worth while exercise and we
shall continue the practice at least for the first year. Years ago when
I was a warden of a halls of residence I used to deal with numerous
break-ins to student rooms and then as now the majority of students
(disabled or otherwise) had no insurance cover. Of course the losses
were Hi-Fi system which did not affect their studies but nevertheless it
highlights the issue. I am yet to be convinced that attitudes have
changed since then.

Nasser Siabi 
Microlink PC 
Managing Director 
[log in to unmask]

 


-----Original Message-----
From: Boyce, Mark [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 08 November 2002 16:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Insuring equipment

Who is responsible for the equipment once it has been purchased through
DSA
funding? The LEA? The University? Or the student?

All students should be purchasing contents insurance so why are students
with disabilities receiving preferential treatment by getting their
contents
insurance paid through DSA funding? They are not children and as such it
should be their own responsibility to look after their equipment.

I work with a lot of dyslexic students and, while I am always there to
support them in what they do, I actively encourage them to be more
independent in their ideas and actions and this includes them looking
after
themselves.

A lot of dyslexic students have very low self-esteem, holding their
hands
for the whole time that they at Uni will not help to overcome this!

Any views on this?

Mark Boyce

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Childs [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 08 November 2002 15:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Insuring equipment


Just a quick note for every one



We include the insurance for all our student computers/laptops as
standard and have been doing so for 18 month. We receive average 5
claims per week for damages and theft and we feel without it significant
number of students would have been left stranded without any help from
the LEA. Our agreement with the insurers has been very clear that we
replace the equipment with a suitable model with full configuration,
which as you know is not the same with other insurance companies. I'm
pleased to say that we have not yet had a refusal from the insurance
company to settle any of the student claims and we will continue with
them for the foreseeable future.



Our only concern is that the insurers have informed us that the uptake
for the renewals has not been as high as they had hoped and therefore
they may increase our charges. This of course raises the issue that
unless this is organized for the students are they likely to fall into
the situation later on.  To this end we are thinking of sending
reminders to all our students to renew or take out alternative insurance
as a matter of course.



I hope this helps
Peter Childs
Microlink PC
IT Manager
[log in to unmask]




-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Metcalfe [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 08 November 2002 11:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Insuring equipment

We have not heard of anyone being unable to obtain insurance but
some companies are very expensive.  Interestingly, I have just got
off the phone to a loss adjuster who had provided a replacement
laptop for one of our students.  Unfortunately, it was unsuitable for
what it was needed for as the student is Blind.  After much
discussion they are going to send a machine that we know will do
the job.  However, during our discussions it transpired that the
machine was not insured in the student's name but in her Father's
name on the families home insurance.  It looks like the loss
adjuster could possibly have stuck by the original replacement or
not replaced the machine in the first place!  We need to clearly
inform students to obtain proper insurance for DSA equipment, so
as to avoid the possibility that they could end up with no
equipment.  Generally we recommend Complete Computer Cover
who we have found to be quite competitive.

Steve.


On 8 Nov 2002, at 11:27, Emma J Price wrote:

> Dear all
>
> Has anyone had any problems with refusals for insurance costs to
> specifically cover computer, monitor and other items purchased through
> the DSA?
>
>
> ----------------------
> Emma Price
> Disability Assessment and Support Officer
> Equality and Diversity Department


Steve Metcalfe
Head of Disability Access Resources and Technology
Director National Association of Disability Officers
University of Lincoln

Tel:     01522 886400
Fax:     01522 886489
Minicom: 01482 463571
E-mail    [log in to unmask]