Hear Hear Paddy

Don't give up.

I've been in the happy position of charging LEAs and HEIs for the support
provided, whether or not a student turned up. Didn't realise others were
having this problem

Although difficulties in practice about continually allocating a scarce
resource to an unreliable student...

Have a good weekend.


Sheenagh Hull
Liaison Officer/Interpreter
Deaf START
Blenheim Centre
Crowther Place
Leeds LS6 2ST
Please note new telephone numbers below:
0113 395 1092 (voice)
0113 243 8196 (text) - will change soon
0113 395 1063 (fax)



                    "Turner, Paddy"
                    <[log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask]
                    .UK> cc:
                    Sent by: Subject: Re: payment for missed DSA
                    "Discussion list tutorials
                    for disabled
                    students and
                    their support
                    staff."
                    <DIS-FORUM@JISCM
                    AIL.AC.UK>


                    16/05/2003 17:28
                    Please respond
                    to "Discussion
                    list for
                    disabled
                    students and
                    their support
                    staff."





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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