If you start suggesting compromise positions and same strategies using
cheaper kit then that undermines the argument that the NAR has identified
the student’s additional costs in relation to disability/course
requirements.
However, if a compromise position route is taken then I would suggest do
it on the computer – switch the laptop to a desktop (thus making the
computer entirely different from the PDA in both form and possible
function in study environment and countering the argument of 'they do the
same thing'). Add a portable keyboard to the PDA if not already included
(thus still attempting to meet any arguments for constant access to diary,
Word, internet etc). On the PDA bear in mind also that the original NAR
would have assumed access to the laptop so -check the functions/probable
use of PDA under the new condition of ‘no laptop’.
Assuming the LA then agrees to the recommendations of desktop and PDA ,
the student then adds money to the DSA allocation and pays the difference
between the desktop price and the laptop equivalent. If the HEI have
decided that they fully support the identified needs and therefore also
acknowledge the additional disability-related costs, then they might want
to consider sources of funding for meeting that difference in cost between
the desktop and laptop. But the HEI should ask ‘why?!’ because is the DSA
not intended to meet the additional costs the student is obliged to incur
as a result of effects of disability on study??
For complaints against Local Authorities, postcode locator for the correct
point of contact see:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4018266
Amanda Kent
DSA needs assessor
On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 16:31:39 +0100, Claire Wickham
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Well I guess the student could suggest to the LA that he will be taking
>them to court invoking the DDA as the LA is refusing to meet his access
>requirements as recommended by a neutral and suitably qualified
>assessor. He/she could perhaps get support for his case from the NAS or
>similar organisation. The LA must have a formal complaints procedure and
>it might be worthwhile the student initiating a formal complaint.
>
>Perhaps the student/you should suggest to the LA that they fund a second
>assessment to see if a different support package is recommended? Would
>they move if you offered a compromise of using a mobile phone as a
>reminder device?
>
>If the LA will not move then the student could well ask your Uni to fund
>the equipment as otherwise his/her access requirements will not have
>been met. Do you have a fund to support such requests? (ALF seems a
>sensible suggestion). It might also be possible for the student to
>approach trusts/charities. But it does seem invidious if you are
>expected to provide equipment that the LA has turned down when an AESN
>recommends this and, on the face of it, all the recommendations seem
>logical. And what is the "principle" that they are adhering top when
>they refuse the recommendation? Is it "Always refuse reasonable
>requests"?
>
>Good luck,
>
>Claire
>
>Claire Wickham
>Senior Disability Officer
>Disability Resource Centre
>University of the West of England
>Frenchay Campus
>Coldharbour Lane
>Bristol BS16 1QY
>
>Tel: 0117 328 3737
>Textphone: 0117 32 83644
>Fax: 0117 32 82935
>
>Please note that this e-mail was written using speech input and may
>contain some small voice recognition errors.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adrian McDonald
>Sent: 04 September 2008 16:17
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: recommendations refused by funding body
>
>Just to give some further information, the arguing and backing up of all
>the recommendations has already been done, it is more a case of what can
>we possibly do now?
>
>The reason for the PDA is so that it will remind the student of
>appointments/lectures etc. The funding body is saying that the student
>can get the laptop out, boot it up and use that as an organisation tool.
>It has been pointed out that a laptop will not remind the student if it
>is turned off, whereas a PDA will actively remind the student.
>
>The funding body refuses to agree to the recommendations on principle
>and refuses to look at the students individual needs. The assessor
>still stands by the recommendations, is there any way of getting this
>decision overturned?
>
>
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>
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