A few points:
- It is important that value for money is not divorced from quality.
- A good quality training service should report back any problems with equipment - to the access centre/disability officer, possibly even the funding body in the last instance; in any case, someone with the authority to ensure that details are attended to and that the system is fit for purpose. This is not likely to happen effectively if the training is provided by equipment suppliers. This is apt to be a systemic problem, as the suppliers' main interest is somewhere else.
- Simon's makes some clear points, which suggest that if you have a preferred local trainer, who offers a good quality service and value for money, then contact with the assessment centres would be a good idea.
It may also be a good idea for the sector to set up a website where suppliers of training, perhaps even other Non Medical Helper Services, could be registered.
Regards,
PG
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on behalf of Barry Hayward
Sent: Wed 25/02/2009 16:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: IT training
I've recently had a needs assessment carried out (for my own needs) and two
equipment suppliers are recommended, both offering the relevant training.
What concerns me is that the supplier offering the equipment at a lower
cost is also offering the training at a (much) lower cost.
Whilst the equipment is likely to be of a similar quality regardless of
supplier I don't think the same applies to training.
My local authority is likely to select the lowest cost option (quite
reasonably) - can I ask that the training provider be considered separately?
Barry Hayward
Disability Coordinator
Student Support Services
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
London
SE14 6NW
T: 020 7717 2292
E: [log in to unmask]
www.goldsmiths.ac.uk
--On 25 February 2009 14:07 +0000 Julia Tait <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear colleagues,
> We were recently informed by Student Finance England that DSA training
> has to be carried out by one of the suppliers recommended in the Needs
> Assessment and cannot be carried out by a locally based trainer. Is
> this a new regulation or has this been the case for a while? Does
> anyone know if Needs Assessment Centres are allowed to carry out
> training or if that has been changed as well? We find that being able to
> use a local trainer is often extremely helpful to the student.
>
> Thank you.
>
> --
> Julia Tait
> Senior Adviser & Co-ordinator for Students with Dyslexia
> & Other Specific Learning Difficulties,
> Student Services,
> Oxford Brookes University
> Helena Kennedy Student Centre,
> Headington Hill Campus
> Oxford OX3 0BP
>
> 01865 484659
>
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