buried in the guidance is this sentence
Their disability will have been identified and documented at an earlier stage, in many cases while they were at school.
so why do dyslexics need to be reassessed after their 16th birthday at exorbitant cost?  we all know it doesn't go away so why can't the needs assessment be enough to establish current needs based on earlier diagnosis.
the whole process seems hypocritical and very discriminatory against dyslexics in putting them to great expense, and often delay.
 
I'm sure we all agree - but how does this get put through to those who make the rules?
 
John

________________________________

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Ian F.
Sent: Thu 20/11/2008 00:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Evidence for DSA



Hi
If the registration certificate is a BD8 form and it clearly states the
student is blind or partially sighted then there's no reason for the funding
body to ask for additional evidence. If the registration certificate was
considered to be sufficient evidence to support a successful application for
disability-related benefits such as DLA then there's also no reason for the
LA to request further evidence.

Below is the guidance provided to LAs about evidence of disability. It
assumes the people reading it are approaching it in the spirit of enabling
participation to higher education and are capable of making common sense
decisions. Experienced awards officers will know the guidance means a formal
registration certificate of a long-standing visual impairment is sufficient
evidence to allow the student to apply to DSA funding so that a specialist
assessment can be carried out. Others could interpret this guidance as
meaning they have to ask a GP - that the student has probably had no reason
to meet with before - to produce a letter that confirms the diagnosis and
describes how the student is affected by the disability. I'd contact RNIB
for advice if this is the case - 0845 766 9999 / 020 7388 252

Frankly, I'm amazed that an LA could query a DSA application from a
registered blind or partially sighted student....

Ian Francis


---------------
The Administration of DSAs
Evidence of a disability

  65.

      For most applicants, there should be little difficulty establishing
their eligibility for DSAs. Their disability will have been identified and
documented at an earlier stage, in many cases while they were at school.
However, it is not essential for an applicant's disability to have been
identified at school in order to be eligible for DSAs. Eligibility for DSAs
is not dependent on an applicant being registered as disabled. Nor is there
any requirement or provision within the Regulations to apply the definition
of disability contained in the Disability Discrimination Act. Care will be
needed for applicants whose disabilities have not previously been
identified. In such cases, LAs should request an assessment of the
disability by a suitably qualified person or body for the purposes of
establishing eligibility for DSAs.
  66.

      Students can become eligible for DSAs at any point during their
course, not just at the start of their first year. Some students become
disabled or have a disability identified after their course has started.
Others may decide to disclose their disability only after their course has
started. Equipment needs may arise later in the course. LAs must not,
therefore, adopt a policy of only accepting applications for the DSAs at the
beginning of a course.
  67.

      Students who are physically disabled, or have a mental-health
condition, will need to provide medical evidence of their condition, such as
a letter from their doctor or an appropriate specialist. Medical evidence
should state the nature of the student's disability and ideally should also
briefly explain how the student is affected by the disability. Students with
a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia will need to provide
evidence of this in the form of a diagnostic assessment from a psychologist
or suitably qualified specialist teacher (see paragraphs 88-95). However,
any costs a student incurs obtaining the necessary expert evidence or
opinion cannot be met from the DSAs. This is because such costs are not
incurred by the student to attend or undertake their course; they are
incurred to substantiate their claim for DSAs. However, students might be
able to receive assistance with such costs from their institutions Access to
Learning Fund.
  68.

      Cases may arise where an LA is not satisfied from the evidence that
the student has a disability. In such cases, the student should be invited
to provide further evidence, perhaps in the form of a diagnosis undertaken
by a body or person acceptable to the LA. In making such an invitation, it
is important that the LA make clear to the student that they will normally
be liable to meet the cost of providing the necessary evidence. Students
can, however, apply for help with such costs from their institutions Access
to Learning Fund..
  69.

      Once the LA is satisfied with the medical evidence, the student is
required to undergo a DSA needs assessment to identify the appropriate
course-related support. The cost of the assessment is met from the DSA. Once
the initial evidence of a disability has been accepted, in most cases there
should be no need for students to provide updated evidence of their
disability at a later stage in the course. An exception would be if the
student's condition changes or if there is reason to believe that the
student's condition may change later in the course. Sometimes an expert may
also include recommendations for DSA support with their medical evidence.
Given that the expert is unlikely to be unaware of course requirements and
technologies, there is still a requirement for the student to receive a
separate full assessment of their course needs.





----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Catt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 3:12 PM
Subject: Evidence for DSA


HI There,

Just wandering if anyone has experience of having a registration certificate
for partially sighted/blind being rejected for entitlement to DSA?   They
have advised that they require an up to date GP letter explaining condition
and impact on studying though the eye condition is very unlikely to change
and I think it is obvious that this will impact his studies.  I would be
interested in views.

Kind regards and best wishes

Mr Tony Catt, BA (Hons), HND, MNADP
Disability Support Officer
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ
E: [log in to unmask]
Monday @ Warrington located in room WMA010
T: 01244 511550
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
@ Chester located in room CBK102
T: 01244 511550




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