Dear all,
I wonder if it is just because it is Friday or whether I am truly alone here.
I really don't want to labour this point but I am really very worried by what I feel is a fundamental principle underpinning Equal
Opportunites and the rights of Disabled people that it appears is being cast aside in order to satisfy the ever present God of financial
accountability.
We are here providing services because disabled students have a right to equal access. This should happen inclusively but unfortunately it
doesn't and so we are here making the best of a bad job. DSA's are only in existence because it was considered the most economical way of
ensuring students got their rights. In principle, all the costs associated with support should be completely hidden from the student
as should all activity related to the provision of the support. The fact that it can't be is not the fault of the student.
Let's imagine a different model:
1)All students pay the University to provide their course.
2)The University makes sure that all those students can access the course.
3)The government provides the University with enough money (on top of the fees)each year to ensure that it can do that and this includes an
amount to cover support for disabled students.(In other words DSA's do not exist)
4)If any student doesn't turn up for any given element of provision they may be penalised academically but could not be charged extra
because they have already paid for their course. The provision of an interpreter is no different in principle from the provision of a
lecturer.
It should be obvious from this that once the student has paid their fees they have a right to expect the course and the institution itself
to be accessible. Disabled students should never be charged for provision that is there to give them equal access - that is the whole reason
why DSA is there in the first place.
All this talk about disabled students having to pay for not using support whether they are being irresponsible, inconsiderate or downright
rude is nevertheless a fundamental misunderstanding of the basic principles upon which the DDA, inclusivity and DSA's are founded.
Will somebody from the DRC or Skill please back me up on this or I may as well pack up and go home!
......ah - it's Friday....ahem
....see you Monday, then
Paddy
Paddy Turner
Disability Support Manager
Sheffield Hallam University
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Trott [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 May 2003 16:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: payment for missed DSA tutorials
Slightly tounge in cheek ....
HEI's / support workers Here's how to protect your costs/fees.
1. Do not assume that you will provide the support. Be like providers of equipment. Provide a quotation and ask for it to be attached to the
Needs Assessment. Set your terms. If the LEA accepts, ask for an official order.
2. Cost your service properly including backup staff, no shows etc.
Self employed workers
Draw up a contract with the student. Send it to the LEA. Ask for an official order and invoice against that. If the LEA says they can't pay
you outside of PAYE because you can't be self employed because you are only supporting one student then you are an employee of that LEA and
are entitled to a contract of employment, sick pay and holiday pay.
Mick Trott
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