Hi Eleanor,
I successfully argued for a scooter for a student a few years ago.
It was not easy, and I don't think the funding body ever did accept the grounds on which I argued it was DSA eligible, but I think finally accepted that the student was being disadvantaged.
Payment was finally made on the basis that it was exceptional, a one-off and I was advised that it would not happen again. I have a suspicion it was paid from equipment. In hindsight, it would have been more appropriate that it be paid from NMH.
Needless to say, I would argue for a scooter again, in the same circumstances. It was only for use on campus, it was CONSIDERABLY cheaper than paying for a support worker and it provided the student with independence. It has been invaluable to the student, and their ability to access the campus and their classes, and they would not have been able to continue without it.
I do not believe that there are any prescribed items which are specifically excluded from DSA claims. There are probably circumstances in which even a car would be a DSA-eligible item for a particular student in a particular situation!
Catriona Mowat
University of Stirling
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Peter Hill
Sent: 12 January 2005 15:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: Scooters & electric wheelchairs
Hi
No - nothing with a battery. However, I have successfully recommended a
three-wheeled bicycle for a PhD student. He had difficulties walking
from his office to his accommodation and taxi fares for the relatively
short journey were prohibitive by comparison. The student has since
contacted the access centre to say how pleased he is with the freedom it
has provided. He uses it between flat and campus, around campus and for
trips to the Uni library. It was a fairly pricey piece of kit (£650 inc
VAT) - but I'm satisfied that the expense was fully justified. As I
recall, I included it under 'equipment' - but suspect that it might
also fit under 'travel' as a substitute for taxi fares.
BTW I did have one student who requested a car! However, that's another
story.
Regards
Peter Hill
(CATER)
Eleanor Moseley wrote:
>
>Hello,
>
>I know there has been discussion in the past as to whether scooters and electric wheelchairs can be funded through the DSA. If anybody has been successful, have you justified it out of the travel allowance so as not to use up all the equipment allowance? The equipment is specifically for transport around campus.
>
>Thanks
>
>Eleanor Moseley
>University of Plymouth
>
>
>
>
>
>
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