Hi
Boyce, Mark wrote:
> 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
>
Yes, I'm afraid so:
DSA is provided to cover additional costs arising from a disability.
Funding for computer equipment, etc, is deemed to be an additional cost.
Insuring it is obviously an additional cost too. I know that many
students do not bother with contents insurance and in some cases, this
is justified where value of contents is low and the risk is low too.
However, where several hundred pounds worth of marketable kit is
involved, insurance is obviously vital.
You point out that a lot of dyslexic students have low self-esteem.
However, even more are probably affected by poor organisational skills -
so getting them to take the initiative for insuring their kit can be
tricky (even where funding is provided). For those, the consequences of
not insuring the equipment can be pretty catasrophic and for that
reason, I quite like the Microlink system - where equipment is
automatically insured.
It's quite liikely that students with dyslexia are at higher risk of
losing stuff (e.g. left the laptop on a bus!) or being burgled (forgot
to lock the door!) - so insurance could almost be regarded as a direct
disability-related cost, though hopefully this is not reflected in
higher premiums.
The benefits of providing cover for insurance surely outweigh the costs.
It's worth pointing out, too, that (in theory) disabled students do
not get preferential treatment for contents insurance - only insurance
for the DSA equipment.
Finally, although it's important to be supportive of your students and
to encourage them to be independent, it's also important to recognise
the range of problems that they may experience. Being a tad
disorganised can be part of the condition.
Regards
Peter Hill
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