If you're thinking DSA should pay for this, the LEA has to conform to 
current DSA guidelines:

------
Using DSAs to support participation in extra curricular activities
  152.. It has been asked whether the DSA can be used to fund extra 
curricular activities and participation in Freshers' week. Advice from DfES 
lawyers has been received on this issue.

  153.. The regulations allow for the DSA to be used for 'additional 
expenditure which the Secretary of State is satisfied he is obliged to incur 
in respect of his attendance at the course'. The advice received is that 
this regulation would not allow the DSA to be used to support a student when 
participating in Freshers' week or other extra curricular activities where 
there is no link with the course of study. However, if it could be 
demonstrated that the extra curricular activity is a course requirement, we 
can see no statutory bar to paying a DSA to allow the student to participate 
in that activity. Examples might be a music student participating in a 
choral society, or a drama student involved in a drama group. It is 
recommended that the DSA can be used to provide support for students during 
induction meetings they might have with their course tutors during Freshers' 
week (as well as during other parts of their course) as this is 
course-related.

-----

So it seems the funding authority can't release DSA to cover the cost of an 
xmas social event, unless you can argue that the student is obliged to 
attend the event as part of the course e.g. if a tutor provides important 
course-related information at the event.

I suspect the institution is expected to use some of their Premium Funding 
allocation in these situations, using some of the extra money they only 
have  because some students with disabilities choose to study there. 
Obviously this assumes the money isn't all  being used to pay for disability 
services that the institutions are required to provide anyway, irrespective 
of whether they receive varying levels of premium funding.

Wonder what other people think.

Ian





----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Callaghan, Brigid" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:14 PM
Subject: heated debate


Has erupted here on this scenario:  BSL user has been invited to a
Christmas social event with classmates and has asked for a BSL
interpreter as all classmates are hearing.



Who should be responsible for funding this?   Discuss!



I know what I think..... what about you? !



[log in to unmask]



***********************************************************
Brigid Callaghan
Senior Disability Adviser
Student Services
University of Bolton
Deane Rd
Bolton
BL3 5AB
[log in to unmask]
To make an appointment: 01204  903733.
Direct line: 01204 903803
Minicom: 01204 903490

Please do not print off this email unless absolutely necessary - save
the planet.
***********************************************************






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