Possibly, some of the understandings about this matter come from the
differences between the U.S. and U.K, approaches to funding university
students..
Although many state-funded U.S. universities receive extra funding on
the basis of
their aggregate disabled student population, it is the university
generally that is expected to provide accessibility for all people with
disabilities. This covers students from other nations as well as U.S.
students, and covers proprietary as well as
state-funded programs. This approach diverts attention, at least at the
level of student contact with the regular academic process, from the issue
of a disabled student's being a costly burden. And it doesn't place what
we call "international students" (or even visitors to a campus) in a
second-class position
On the other hand, the process of increasing disabled students' allowances
so they
have more discretion over their own selection of accommodations
is a great benefit.
U.S. universty students don't receive allowances - except if they win a
scholarship such as a Pell Grant. Public universities are subsidized
directly, and this is supposed to keep the cost of education down.
Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. Governments uncommitted
to providing citizens with a university education can damage wither system
with ease.
- a.s.
On Fri, 21 May 2004, Claire Wickham wrote:
> I'm sure Peter Handley can him speak for himself but I'd agree with this interpretation: there are usually additional costs involved and these have to be budgeted for and implemented. Universities were not given any additional funding to meet the access requirements of disabled students who are not eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowances - they have had to squeeze this money from existing budgets.
>
> ATB
>
> Claire
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Allan Sutherland
> Sent: 21 May 2004 19:25
> To:
> Subject: Re: re. the East Anglia issue
>
>
> It is at least possible, Keith, that he's talking about things like the cost
> of facilitation, so, rather than imposing discriminatory extra costs, he's
> actually referring to a process of removing barriers to the student's
> participation on equal terms.
>
> Hope you're well.
>
> All the best
>
> Allan
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "keith armstrong" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 3:18 AM
> Subject: Re: re. the East Anglia issue
>
>
> > "international students, as here, our early involvement also helps the
> process of dealing with the issue of any additional costs that such students
> may be liable for."
> >
> > Giving people with impairments extra charges because they have impairments
> is blatant discrimination in my book.
> >
> > In the UK higher education so often means buildings with large amounts of
> steps without accessible alternatives, of course as everybody knows people
> have brains in their feet rather than above their necks.
> >
> > Keith
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 18 May 2004 10:38:32 +0100 , Peter Handley <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> > >Dear Professor Amundson and other list subscribers,
> > >
> > >First of all, let me apologise for not contributing to this issue on
> > >behalf of the Dean of Students office at the University of East Anglia
> > >before now. Persistent email problems etc. etc.
> > >
> > >Turning to the matter in hand, though, let me say that UEA has a
> > >long-standing policy of taking the needs of its disabled students
> > >extremely seriously. Therefore, we strive to communicate with applicants
> > >who self-identify as disabled during the application process as early as
> > >possible in order to establish what students' specific requirements are
> > >so that we can begin the process of trying to meet them. In the case of
> > >international students, as here, our early involvement also helps the
> > >process of dealing with the issue of any additional costs that such
> > >students may be liable for. Our role is not, nor has it ever been, to
> > >vet disabled students.
> > >
> > >I hope this clears up any misunderstandings,
> > >With best wishes,
> > >Peter Handley
> > >
> > >Dean of Students Office,
> > >University of East Anglia,
> > >Norwich,
> > >UK
> >
> > --
> > War makes people ill.
> >
> >
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