Paddy,
I'm reminded of the Woody Allen joke: 'I wouldn't want to commit suicide while in psychoanalysis, because I'd have to pay for the missed sessions!'
No, it may not be just about courtesy, but I think there is a 'reality principle' here. Our dyslexia tutors are contracted in from outside on a sessional basis. If the LEA won't pay them for non-shows, and we won't, then they have to be paid from somewhere.
There are many walks of life where we are penalised for things. We can't turn round and say 'sorry I didn't pay my credit card bill because I'm dyslexic and couldn't read the payby date'. Also, I doubt whether Ken's Congestion Charge would be waived because the dyslexic person didn't read the 'C' sign hours. When these students graduate, they have to work professionally - which means turning up for work commitments (in our case, likely to be rehearsals, drama classes, etc.)So, we might as well train them in this aspect of life education too. The best we can hope for is that the conditions are explained beforehand, and that students are encouraged to write appointments in diaries.
Keith Silvester
-----Original Message-----
From: Turner, Paddy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 May 2003 15:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: payment for missed DSA tutorials
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
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