Hi
Here at Coventry University we ran a volunteer scheme and this year will
use 25 residential CSV's to support our students with disabilities.
We have minimal problems with getting funding for accomodation from the
non-medical helpers allowance and/or social services as without this the
students would not have the level of support they require.
Faye Langston
Disabilities Welfare Co-ordinator
Coventry University
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Hannah Young wrote:
>
> Dear Emma
>
> We've been looking at this question recently. I'm not aware of being
> able to claim the accommodation costs of a medical or non-
> medical helper through DSA. I think that we are coming round to
> the view that we will underwrite the cost of an additional room in
> order to facilitate a student's personal care, but no more than one
> room (in fact this has arisen because of the need to plan
> appropriate rooms as part of a new student accommodation
> building - and a number of rooms are being built as suites).
> Student's who require 24 hour support would need to have a rota of
> people who would be entitled to use this room, but who would
> probably not live-in. We would try to recruit carers locally, avoiding
> the need to ensure accommodation. Of course, in certain
> circumstances students have wanted a family member or partner to
> act as their sole personal carer, and in that case they would live in.
> If there was a particular reason for a student bringing additional
> carers from outside the local area (perhaps because of their
> particular expertise), we would look at what was possible in the
> individual case. In considering what would be reasonable with
> regard to personal care, we've taken advice from local social
> services and considered the information available from the
> Independent Living Association.
>
> I am curious to know what line other institutions take on this issue -
> we've been trying to work out a reasonable approach and would
> welcome anyone else's suggestions.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Hannah
>
> On 15 Jul 2003, at 13:27, Emma J Price wrote:
>
> Dear all
>
> I'm trying to unravel a complex issue about students' personal
> support
> assistants' accommodation costs. I know in some instances
> LEAs or
> funding bodies have covered accommodation costs for an assistant
> within the Non-medical helpers component of the DSA. I think this,
> however, may be discretionary as guidance appears to be quite
> hazy in
> this area. Social Services, who provide the 24 hour care will pay
> salary costs but not accommodation costs within student halls.
> The
> debate seems to be around clarification of medical and non-medical
> helper. it may be the case that in the past, the carer has provided
> support around the campus and it has been justified that way. It
> would be good to hear the views of needs assessors on this to see
> if
> this is a common recommendation in an assessment report.
>
> I need to advise our Accommodation Dept on a policy in this area
> and
> I'm unsure whether I need to explain that they need to underwrite
> the
> costs for this as a reasonable adjustment for a student with a
> disability. Would this be considered a reasonable adjustment under
> the
> auxiliary aids and services section of the act?
>
> Any advice, comments or general pointers in the direction of
> guidance
> documents would be great.
>
> Thanks
>
> Emma
> ----------------------
> Emma Price
> Disability Assessment and Support Officer
> Equality and Diversity Department
> ******************************
> Hannah Young
> University Disability Adviser
> Equal Opportunities Office
> University of Oxford
> University Offices
> Wellington Square
> Oxford OX1 2JD
> Tel: 01865 280459
> Fax: 01865 280300
> Email : [log in to unmask]
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