Dear Tim,
Conundrums are welcome, as they allow us scope to entertain a question,
rather than rush to plug it's gap with a hasty answer.
You say: "your interest in all this is financial business".
I have had a problem of conscience over the quality of services available to
students under DSA funding for many years. As a disability officer, I would
repeatedly hear from students as to the problems they were having with
inadequate products and services, particularly with computer equipment and
training. This concern is well-documented in postings to various lists over
the years. Setting up an independent company has provided scope to take this
logic further. My position on ethics has not changed in the process; in
fact, with that increased privilege comes greater responsibility. What I am
suggesting here as an ethos is that companies be prepared to accept a loss
sometimes, rather than pressing the sale to the detriment of student trust
in our services. For those that need a financial motive for doing so, I am
also pointing out that this is good business strategy. Goodwill is priceless
and money can't buy it off.
And, yes, John, it would be a great development if we could come to operate
a bursary for students who need further assistance than the DSA is able to
offer.
The principle aim of the Association for Ethical Practice is to place
students at the centre of what we do and allow their reports of their
experience to help us to get it right.
The Association will find it's own shape with those who participate in its
operation and its development, students and practitioners alike. It is open
to anyone who wishes to invest in ethics, with the profits and losses that
come with that.
Kind regards,
Penny
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Conway
Sent: 24 April 2012 21:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Association for Ethical Practice (DSA) - Preview and
Preparation
I don't suppose there are any "not for profit" companies operating in this
arena, or charities donating their 'profit' to the benefit of those students
who cannot get DSAs or can't afford the dyslexia assessment or the DSAs
aren't sufficient to cover all their costs???
Sent from my iPhone
On 24 Apr 2012, at 21:16, "Tim Franklin"
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Dear Penny
According to the record you direct a company that runs service from the DSA
so your interest in all this is financial business. There is a clash between
that and the ethics association. others do the same thing of promoting a
business through a cause or club, like an industry trade group, but can the
leaders of the associations take up the stance of judging while also
promoting their own business? A conundrum.
Tim
________________________________
From: Penny Georgiou
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>;
To: 'Tim Franklin'
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>;
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>;
Subject: RE: Association for Ethical Practice (DSA) - Preview and
Preparation
Sent: Mon, Apr 23, 2012 8:09:12 AM
Dear Tim,
I appreciate the questions that you raise, and will try to respond.
The Association will aim to engage with two key questions:
1 - What are the key obstacles to delivering the bespoke support promised by
the DSA scheme?
2 - How can we best resolve these issues for all concerned, students and
practitioners?
Some of the obstacles arise from the logic of sector practices. Certainly,
these are the obstacles that are most amenable to our efforts, and we need
to be in conversation with those affected (whether practitioners or
students) in order to find the best way through for all concerned.
Aggressive business tactics are part of the problem that needs to be
treated, so that the logic of DSA funded support is not repeatedly distorted
in favour of particular business models. When this happens, the process of
delivering support to students is stalled both for students and for those
businesses. The work doesn't run smoothly and profits do not rise
significantly, if at all.
This is where the Ethical is Practical comes in. It is a response to those
businesses who justify their (less than best) practices as being forced on
them by the competition.
Such business models lack efficacy; they do not serve either their own or
students' best interests. Real wealth creation has to be underpinned by
ethics, otherwise it is not sustainable. The Credit Default Swaps
demonstrated this in extreme form, resulting in a collapse of the global
banking system.
It will take time and care to establish the trust and the operational
efficacy that is possible, but this is our challenge. Moving to a mindset
that better serves what we want to achieve is also a perennial challenge for
each of us.
Moderation - the site will be moderated. The aim is to be fair both to
students and to practitioners alike, not to sacrifice one to injustice in
order to save the other. At the moment, the system relies on students to
make a complaint, and many do not feel able to do so. Mediation is a much
better way to respond to issues rather than a complaints system, as the
latter places students and practitioners into a false and unnecessary state
of antagonism.
The terms of the blog will allow situations to be reported without naming
the parties (best or worst). The star rating will be a cumulative scoring
based on a survey across a range of factors. This part will take longer to
bring about in any case, so we have time to consider further refinements
that don't compromise on the aim of bringing to light both best practice and
problems in realising it. There are legal limits to assist us, and we can
learn from both the best and worst of other rating systems. If we find that
something is not working well ethically, we will change it.
Consequences: These follow whether we act or don't. The current issues on
the ground that the Association aims to formally acknowledge are, in part, a
cumulative consequence of our inability to respond to infringements and
breaches of ethics and best practice across the lifetime of DSA. This is not
a criticism, just a statement of perspective. The sector is better placed to
respond now than it was in the past. We have an accumulation of experience
as well as a better infrastructure to us; with the resources that both a
major funding body is investing in working with DSA-QAG and sector
organisations. What has been missing is institutionalised acknowledgement
that sector practices are a key obstacle to the efforts of the many
dedicated practitioners and students out their who are trying to do their
best. This effort cannot succeed without the participation of either.
If there is anything else that you would like to discuss, please do join us
when the services go partially live, probably within a couple of weeks.
Kind regards,
Penny Georgiou
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Franklin
Sent: 22 April 2012 20:29
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Association for Ethical Practice (DSA) - Preview and
Preparation
Dear Penny,
What does 'ethics is practical' mean in real terms in your opinion? This
association is setting up a situation where businesses are invited to
participate in aggressive marketing, or may dragged into an arena of
criticism without wanting to be part of it and without even a moderator of
any kind. Your manifesto says antagonism is a mind set. OK. Can it be ow is
it WhyW"best practice" to be setting up a mind set scenario that facilitates
hostility though?. Things played out in the 'mind set' of the association
website could have proper and true consequences for innocent or even
completely unaware people.
Tim Franklin
From: Penny Georgiou <[log in to unmask]<javascript:return>>
To: [log in to unmask]<javascript:return>
Sent: Thursday, 19 April 2012, 13:22
Subject: Association for Ethical Practice (DSA) - Preview and Preparation
Dear Colleagues,
The Association for Ethical Practice (DSA) will be formally launched in a
few days' time, inviting Disability Practitioners and Students to
join/participate in the constructive conversation that it aims to foster.
When the preliminary material for the website is ready, the attached
document will be re-circulated formally inviting participation. The website
address is: http://afep-dsa.org.uk
Many developments have led to this.
1 - List Forum: The initial idea was to create a list forum with a remit to
facilitate constructive discussion of ethical issues and the move towards
operational and procedural solutions for both students and practitioners. It
is particularly important for students to have a place in which to actively
participate in this discussion of sensitive matters.
In the event, the web designer understood the reference to forum in a more
sophisticated way than was initially intended and has produced a beauty with
user profiles etc. This will be called the: "Fair Point Forum".
2 - Blog: There will be a blog where students can post their comments about
their individual experience directly. This is so that practice can be more
directly and promptly informed about how we need to tailor services to
better achieve clear pathways to effective study for Disabled Students.
3 - Star rating: As soon as logistics permit, the function of a star rating
function will be added -where students can rate the service that they
receive from Access Centres, Equipment Suppliers, Assistive Technology
Training provision, Specialist Learning Support etc.
4 - Information for students: will be posted on the website that includes
details of what students ought to be able to expect from a good quality
service from
- Access Centre (including admin, follow-up)
- Needs Assessment Services
- Equipment Supplier Products and Service - I am asking Equipment Suppliers
to provide their version.
- Assistive Technology Training
- Specialist Learning Support
- Notetaker support
We are working on the drafting some of the initial documents, which will
develop as both practitioner and student contributions enrich the material.
The crucial point is to institute a 'work-in-progress' approach to best
practice.
The aim here is to raise expectations, so that they can drive best practice.
SFE have been steadfast in this effort in recent years; responding to sector
feedback developing the service they offer to better facilitate both
increasing volumes and complexity of our processes. Over the last 15 years,
I have grappled with the gaps in my practice and have seen the effects when
we come to be able to actually do what we say we will do. I also now know
that this can be delivered in volume, provided the will is there: "All of
old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail
again. Fail better." Samuel Beckett (Worstward Ho, 1983)
If you have examples of best practice that you would like noted in the "What
students can Expect from" section, or other contributions please contact me
off list. [log in to unmask]<javascript:return>.
Kind Regards,
Penny Georgiou
For Association for Ethical Practice (DSA) "We cannot solve our problems
with the same thinking that created them" Albert Einstein.
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