Michael Trott in <[log in to unmask]>:
I am in the process of getting my friend signed up to the list, so
hopefully he can fill you in.
>Hi Andrew,
>This is not anm insurmountable problem. But I'd best explain why a situation
>like this may arise.
>
>If, as I suspect, the student has had a needs assessment and it has been
>passed on to the LEA the assessor may have been asked tyo obtain quotes from 2, or
>even 3, suppliers.
[...]
>Alternatively, the Assessor may have selected the supplier you mention
>becuase they have given good service in the past for DSA work. Neither party may be
>aware of the particular problem you mention.
I have no idea what contact has taken place, but I would point out
that there are lots of companies willing to supply equipment to VI
people, and in some cases people can shop around for the equipment
themselves. Since it was three years ago when I did my application, I
am not sure what happens now, and luckily mine went successfully, but
in my case the LEA were very flexible. In the situation I outlined I
can see money going to waste because the wrong equipment is used or
more importantly the wrong combination of equipment is used.
>
>I would say that DfES are encouraging assessors to recommend/obtain quotes
>from suppliers who are willing to sign up to a Service Level Agreement. The
>supplier mentioned is one who is involved in this.
By SLA I take it you mean a support contract?
>
>One way to resolve the 3 quotes problem is for the assessor to state that the
>equipment must come from a sole or specialist supplier. However, the software
>mentioned is not exclusive so that is unlikely to be accepted.
Fair point, although it does answer the question of how to purchase
specialist products such as braille notetakers etc, which usually are
exclusive to individual suppliers. however, the term exclusive could
mean many things, and I wonder how many pieces of equipment are
"exclusively" sold?
>
>With all DSA equipment the student has the same rights as any consumer and
>the supplier must provide equipment that is fit for purpose and works properly.
>If the chip set you mention causes this problem then it would probably not be
>fit for purpose.
Ok, this is what I imagined.
>
>I suggest that you email them and point out the problem. IanSYST read this
>list anyway and will probably have something to say by Monday. I am sure that
>they will be interested in your comments and be prepared to address any concerns.
That is fine, however, I am concerned that (regardless of company)
this mistake is open to happen again, i.e, there are several VI
companies who probably wouldn't know where to start with supporting
the equipment required for Dyslexic students.
>
>As regards the interface. Most suppliers will also obtain and supply one-off
>items that are not on their website such as the interface to hook Dragon and
>Jaws together.
If they do not sell the product, who then supports the product? If
the SLA has been obtained with the main supplier, would they then be
in a position to support this ad-hoc product? Surely if the supplier
doesn't know the product (because they have had to buy it in etc), how
are they then in a position to then sell or support it and the
relevant hardware the product runs on?
>
>I hope this explains the situation and offers a way to resolve any concerns.
Thanks, I don't have any problem personally with the Iansyst LTD
organisation, but I do feel this issue needs discussion to try and
stop problems from occurring with specialist equipment in the future.
Andrew.
--
Andrew Hodgson, Bromyard, Herefordshire, UK.
Email: [log in to unmask]
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