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I totally agree with the sentiments. My own view is that if a person
receives high rate mobility component from DLA and choose to use this to
avail themselves of the motability scheme, with all the cost free benefits,
they should be prepared to pay for the fuel. DSA is designed to provide
funds for elements which relate to disability and, if other students have to
pay travel costs to reach their college/campus, then it is not an element
which is related to disability. Equality is one thing, but advantage is
another - I feel that I can say this as a disabled person and post grad
student.
John Gregory
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Hart [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 December 2003 15:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DSAs & DLA (mobility)
No John I would not take the same approach the disabilities are
quite different and I was aware that those with visual impairment get lower
rate support under DLA.
My observations refer to those with mobility / physical
difficulties, that is why I refer specifically to mobility allowance and
vehicles etc.
Please do not misinterpret what I am trying to say. My only concern
is for the long term support of individuals with special needs, irrespective
of whether it is in higher education or in the workplace. I do not believe
that we are serving this group well by contunually looking at the cost of
everything. The biggest changes we can make is in the hearts and minds of
people irrespective of whoever they are, showing what every individual is
capable of in higher education or in the workplace NOT the cost of allowing
them to achieve. We do not make things any easier by continually demanding
more and more finances for support alone, even though it is very important.
More needs to be done to see the individual behind the disability NOT the
cost of disability which seems to be the current role of assessment.
Terry Hart
UOP
( I should add these are my own opinions and views and may not
reflect the opinion of others in UOP)
-----Original Message-----
From: John Gregory [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tue 16/12/2003 15:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: DSAs & DLA (mobility)
It appears from your narrative that you consider that all
people with a
disability receive high rate mobility component of DLA.
Blind and vision
impaired people receiving this benefit are restricted to low
rate mobility
component which does not take into account transport costs,
but to pay a
third party to 'guide' the blind or vision impaired person.
Would you take
the same approach whilst assessing a blind or vision
impaired client for DSA
who required travel costs?
John Gregory
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Hart [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 December 2003 15:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: DSAs & DLA (mobility)
Skills response is very interesting to DLA etc .
I wonder how they view the supply of a vehicle or
funding fro a
vehicle under DLA?. What should the DSA pay for in such
circumstances where
the student has a DLA vehicle. The DLA covers the cost of
the car,
Insurances, road tax AND maintenance. Should DSA pay for the
fuel alone, if
so how should that be calculated? Does a disabled person
drive more or less
economically than an able bodied person?
It still seems to me that funds have already been
made available for
travel whether it's in the shape of a car or an allownace if
chosen to be
received in that form.
I make these observations from the point of view
that the majority
of assessments I do will be affected by this. My time is
spent undertaking
DSA assessments and Access To Work Assessments, two very
different
activities but still comparable. The truth of the matter is
that the Access
to Work assessment is more cost effective in terms of
delivering results
than the DSA probably because the governing body is acting
from a position
of understanding and knowledge. Before I am critised for
being biased and
uncaring I can also talk from the other side of the coin
where a familly
member is in reciept of DLA and from that point of view I
believe the
allowances are generous and as the DLA may confirm
over-exploited already.
I am deeply concerned that we are viewing these
funds as Cash Cows,
just waiting to be milked to support our own needs. Is there
an element of
the more that can be claimed in the way of support the more
we as a group
become justified?. I have raised questions before about the
spiraling cost
of support, not based on need but based on the perception of
need justified
by the introduction of technology alone.
I believe we have a responsibility not only to the
disabled but also
to the tax payers of the country, and as such we need to be
seen to be fair
and even in our actions.
Am I the only one with such concerns?
I suspect I may have ruined a few holidays with my
observations but
they are made with genuine concern.
Terry Hart
UOP
-----Original Message-----
From: disforum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tue 16/12/2003 14:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: DSAs & DLA (mobility)
Sue
Skill has had a query about this and is
discussing the issue
with the DfES.
Skill's view is that these are separate
costs - one for
living and one for study. Travel for going to study becomes
a cost in
addition to the travel for living cost, so the DLA should
not be considered
for the purposes of assessing DSA travel.
We'll let you know response from the DfES.
Best wishes and happy holidays too!
Dee Juneja
Information and Research Worker
Skill: National Bureau for Students with
Disabilities
Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London
SE1 3JW
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020 7450 0650
Information Service: 0800 328 5050 (voice),
0800 068 2422
(text)
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Promoting equality in education, work based
learning and
employment for disabled people.
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Of course, if you are already a member
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thanks. You make this possible.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Green
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 December 2003 13:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: DSAs & DLA (mobility)
Has anyone else had an LEA asking for
evidence that a
student has applied
for DLA (mobility component) before they
agree to pay
transport costs? We're
not sure at this stage if it's designed so
the LEA can
satisfy themselves
there is a need (which surely would already
have been
addressed in the needs
assessment) or, more cynically, so the LEA
can say the DLA
should pay for
travel.
Happy Holidays!
Sue
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