Hi

Another issue - which has been covered during previous debates on this
subject - concerns simple business/contractual arrangements. It may
seem fine for the LEA to withhold payment for non-attendance where the
support provider is an HEI. What happens where the provider is a
private organisation? Perhaps this is an example of HEIs needing to
take a more business-minded approach by stating their terms of provision
up front - to the LEA. HEIs set costs, so why are the LEAs dictating
contractual conditions?

Regards

Peter Hill

Turner, Paddy wrote:
> In response to Keith - I'm sure you're right regarding the sharper memory but I think you're missing the point.
> Discrimination takes place for a reason related to a person's disability, doesn't it? None of us would be doing this and certainly the
> interpreter, dyslexia support tutor etc wouldn't be there if that person wasn't disabled - ergo if the student is penalised for not turning
> up/informing someone about not turning up, then they are being penalised for a reason related to their disability - no other student can be
> financially penalised for not turning up or informing a support worker, so it isn't fair to do so just because a student needs support. In a
> truly inclusive environment (admittedly an unrealistic one), an interpreter would be present in every session just in case a deaf student
> turned up!
>
> Courtesy is nice, but irrelevant.
>
> Paddy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keith Silvester [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 16 May 2003 15:11
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: payment for missed DSA tutorials
>
>
> In response to Paddy, I think it is important to distinguish between those instances where the disability itself makes it difficult for the
> student to organise their time and make use of service, and those instances of simple lack of courtesy.
>
> I wonder how many students would suddenly and mysteriously find they had sharper memories if they knew they would have to pay for a
> non-show!!
>
> Keith Silvester
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Turner, Paddy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 16 May 2003 14:55
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: payment for missed DSA tutorials
>
>
> Hmmm an interesting debate, but not one which I believe is thinking clearly about equality of opportunity and discrimination. This seems to
> me to be more about saving a few quid. A hearing student doesn't have to take on any additional responsibility for attending
> lectures/tutorials and will not be penalised for missing them (except by their academic tutor). The interpreter is there in order to ensure
> access and is the students right. Deaf students should not be penalised by the inadequacies of a system that has yet to catch up with their
> rights. By threatening financial penalties for failing to turn up I would argue that there may be a case for discrimination! Dyslexia
> tutorials are slightly different, but are also there as part of a package of support that the student has a right to. If financial penalties
> are threatened for a student whose disability may involve memory difficulties, organisational difficulties and who may be working twice as
> hard to achieve the same ends than other students and who may wake up one morning to find that attending a tutorial that day will be a step
> too far, then either they will refuse the support in the first place or could argue that they are being discriminated against as a result of
> their disability. I would be interested to hear how this position could legitimately be countered.
>
> Paddy Turner
> Disability Support Manager
> Sheffield Hallam University
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keith Silvester [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 16 May 2003 14:36
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: payment for missed DSA tutorials
>
>
> Well, I think it's appropriate to charge the student. I find the increasing tendency to miss appointments is a real pain. Services for
> which the student doesn't have to pick up the tab are very prone to being misused. It is best to set such contractual terms out on paper
> before the support sessions begin. Legitimate reasons for non-show aside, I'm all for toughening up the system on this.
>
> Keith Silvester
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alison James [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 16 May 2003 13:07
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: payment for missed DSA tutorials
>
>
> Dear all
>
> I wonder if any of you are facing the same thorny issue as we are - concerning charging for missed dyslexia support sessions? We provide
> in-house dyslexia support through tutors who are periodically 'left in the lurch' by students, even though our learning support agreements
> flag up acceptable notice periods and tutors are vigilant with reminders.
>
> We also issue progress reports to LEAs, signed by tutor and student detailing the support received and when. Recently an LEA has informed
> us that since one of these sessions was a late cancellation (which we felt should be charged for in fairness to the tutor who had waited in
> vain for the student) they would not pay for such sessions in future and it would need to be charged directly to the student. We have sought
> advice from the DfES but have not found any clear guidance.
>
> Are other colleagues facing similar situations, and what sort of solutions have been found?
>
> I'd be very glad to know!
>
> Alison James
> Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator
> Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College
> Falkner Road
> Farnham
> Surrey
> GU9 7DS
>
> Tel: 01252 892762
>
>
>


--
01905 753439
[log in to unmask]
www.study-pro.com

Dyslexia Consultancy and Resources