Dear Colleagues
I have worked as an AT Trainer, assessor and Disability Officer for around
10 years now. Over that time I have worked with hundreds of students and
some of them seem to have been supplied with unsuitable computer hardware.
This may be due to assessors not recommending appropriate kit: we all make
mistakes - I have made and learnt from many myself, but this is not my
concern here.
It may, however, be due to the suppliers not providing adequate machines
and/or not providing good and accessible follow up support to their clients.
DSA-QAG has been set up, at virtually no cost I believe, to... Well I'm not
sure what for, but the point is they have introduced a service level
agreement (SLA) for suppliers who also have to pay for the privilege of
supplying equipment as a percentage of their turnover. (I'm sure I will be
kindly corrected for my incorrect facts within this paragraph by
colleagues.)
My point, when I eventually get there, is that DSA-QAG SLA, is dentally
challenged, i.e. there is/are no teeth, or at least none that I am able to
find. (see above.)
What I would ask of you is to ask your colleagues and students for their
feedback of experiences with suppliers such as Microlink, Iansyst, Avantek
and other DSA suppliers as I wish to collate some information for evidence
to take to DSA- QAG / DfES, as I fear from my experience some students may
be receiving a less that satisfactory service.
Of course positive feedback is welcome, but I have to be more concerned with
the less satisfactory side of the service too.
I am sending this message cross-forum, and so apologies for those receiving
this a number of times.
I also ask Nasser at Microlink, in his position as representative for
suppliers and tier discussion group, to circulate this message on their
list.
Please pass this onto any other appropriate lists so we can obtain as wide
feedback as possible. I am in the process of rejoining NADP (if they will
have me) and so this has not gone to that list. Maybe someone at NADP could
pass it on if that is deemed appropriate.
I know that suppliers generally ask clients for feedback, but I feel that
system may be slightly compromised and I don't know whether that information
is published anywhere.
Please contact me off-list with your replies.
Thanks for you time.
Best wishes,
Alex
Alex Larg
Freelance Assistive Technology Trainer
Freelance study needs assessor
Former Disability Officer
Sent using the Microsoft Entourage 2004 for Mac Test Drive.
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