I think they the proposed changes to the admissions system are potentially
very worrying for disabled students and I wonder whether Skill (or anyone
else) made any representations during the consultation period.  For many
disabled applicants the time scale will be just too short for them to:
- gather information and make an informed choice
- get their institutional needs identified, agreed and things put in place
ready for the start of term
- get their DSA sorted out

I think we all know how difficult it is when a student with significant
needs gets admitted during Clearing...!

There may be ways around all these things but they will need to be thought
about and strategies developed.  Otherwise many disabled students will be
forced to take a year out while all the support structures etc are put in
place.  This could put them at a 'substantial disadvantage' (in DDA speak)
and be potentially discriminatory.

So lots of work needs to be done because it seems almost certain that this
will now happen.

Caroline Davies

----- Original Message -----
From: "CAMPBELL R.G." <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 8:51 AM
Subject: freelance assessing / university admissions overhaul


> Thank you for your replies, including those off-list. I think I
> misunderstood how the system wil work.
>
> On another note, what are the thoughts on the overhaul of the University
> Admissions process, mentioned in the news yesterday?
>
> http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3495261
>
> Mrs Becky Campbell
> Assessment Officer
> Disability Office, University of Wales Swansea
> Singleton Park,
> Swansea,SA2 8PP.
> Tel: 01792 513000
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian Webb [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 5:46 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: question about freelance assessing
>
> There is no fee. An assessor may assess for more than one centre and
> in fact if they are freelance they are obliged to, otherwise it may appear
> that are not freelance at all but employed solely by that centre.
>
> Ian
>
> Quoting "CAMPBELL R.G." <[log in to unmask]>:
>
> > Forgive my ignorance, I hope I have got this right...
> >
> > Under QAG proposals, a freelance assessor will be attached to a
> > QAG-approved
> > Assessment Centre - is that correct? If so, what happens if they wish to
> > assess for more than one centre - do they have to pay a fee to each?
> >
> > Also, if the assessor relocates, e.g. after six months, is the fee /
part
> > of
> > the fee refundable?
> >
> > Becky
> >
>
>
> --
> Ian Webb
> Disability Adviser
> MNADO
>
> "We lack wings to fly, but we always have strength enough to fall"
> Paul Claudel
>