In actual fact the service has been moving away from the technology fix
and more to the holistic needs of the individual student. If you are in any
doubt check out the new template for assessment reports promoted by
QAG. The introduction of the Non medical helpers allowance way back
also adds evidence to the diverse nature of the assessment service
away from the simple technology solutions which were available in the
early 90s.

Ian

Quoting Terry Hart <[log in to unmask]>:

> This problem of the student and their parent demanding the supply of
instant
> technological fix is not new but has been growing over recent years. I
> believe much of the problem is caused by the very availability of the free
> support and how it is administered. Given the tendency to rely
progresively
> more on technology to address the problems of the disabled and
dyslexic
> student it is hardly suprising that they and their familly should equate
the
> instant availability of technology to potential success or failure.
> I recognise that this view will be far from popular but the sooner the
> service recognises that technology is a tool that has to be applied to
> strengths and natural abilities instead of trying to supplement areas of
> weakness  the better the long term future will be. As I have been saying
for
> many years any idiot can supply technology that matches disabiulty with
> technological facility, no special skill is required for that. Being able to
> identify each individuals learning style and natural learning abilities and
> linking simple, useable, non invasive technology to that is the area
which
> requires skill.
> I am afraid the service has moved more toward the technology of
service,
> being driven by a gadget ridden society and the skill of analaytical
review
> is being lost. The student and the service itself seems to be more
convinced
> that success can only be equated with every available technical facility
> being instantly available and the student is the minor participant in the
> learning process and that the student is doomed to failure because the
> assessment review has taken longer than they believe it should. The
DSA and
> it's application is being made vulnerable to the accusation that it's poor
> delivery is the cause of the problem - when the real culprit is a failure to
> identify and develop solutions based on individuals strengths.
> Terry Hart
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on
> behalf of Jo Whaley
> Sent: Thu 16/09/2004 07:58
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: DSA 2004/05 Delays
>
>
>
> Oops. Sorry about smug-meant to be internal email on surviving
freshers
> week.  As you can see it's taken it's toll and I can't tell the
> difference between forward and reply!  I'm hoping that we have got the
> most crucial cases dealt with now- set up with support workers, but
> we're using a loan scheme to cover the delay in equipment provision.
>
> Good luck for all those still to hit freshers week!
> Jo
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support
> >staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of George Bell
> >Sent: 15 September 2004 23:48
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: DSA 2004/05 Delays
> >
> >
> >I don't think you are alone, Ian.
> >
> >We are at the end of the chain, and quite frankly whilst
> >we're on the one hand happy for the business, on the other,
> >we're beginning to get more than a shade impatient with the
> >demands for immediate supply.  And it doesn't just come from
> >the students either.  We're also getting calls from parents,
> >thinking that of they yell at us, we'll respond better.
> >
> >George Bell
> >Techno-Vision Systems Ltd., U.K.
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
> >support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> >Of Ian Francis
> >Sent: 15 September 2004 22:41
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: DSA 2004/05 Delays
> >
> >Hi
> >I've had some serious problems with email over recent months
> >so haven't been able to keep up with dis-forum discussions.
> >I notice Andy Verlade brought up the issue of the delay in
> >processing DSA applications this summer back in August but
> >there doesn't seem to have been much discussion about this.
> >
> >There seems to have been some serious problems with
> >referrals for DSA assessments to Assessment Centres this
> >summer. There was a point in the summer when assessment
> >referrals almost dried up. Now I'm seeing some students with
> >complex needs very late in the summer who I should have seen
> >weeks ago. They are unlikely to get their DSA sorted out until
> >way into the first semester. Are other assessors finding this
> >or are my students just the unlucky ones?
> >
> >This suggests disability officers will have some pretty
> >desperate students to support this year. Imagine if every
> >student with a serious physical or sensory disability applied
> >through clearance.
> >
> >What arrangements are people making to ensure at least
> >personal assistance needs can be funded at the start of term
> >if the DSA assessment has yet to be received, never mind
> >approved, by the LEA? Are people planning to use the Access to
> >Learning Fund to cover interim 'emergency' payments for
> >personal assistance, travel costs etc? Are people using
> >Premium Funding to build up stocks of loan equipment? Am I
> >just over-reacting?
> >
> >It puts an incredible amount of pressure on assessors,
> >assessment centre administration, LEA awards officers and
> >disability officers to sort this sort of mess out. Can we seek
> >some assurances from the "powers that be" that this problem
> >won't occur again next summer?
> >
> >Ian Francis
> >
> >
> >
> >This Message has been scanned for viruses by McAfee Groupshield.
> >
>


--
Ian Webb
Disability Adviser
MNADO

"We lack wings to fly, but we always have strength enough to fall"
Paul Claudel