I agree with everything Carolyn says in her first para.It does appear to
me (reading between the lines) they're asking if students shouldn't be
expected to own a computer to go to uni these days. If there's no
requirement for this as a condition of taking up a place on a course
then it just can't be assumed. Also, in the consultation they talk about
things being different to back when DSA was introduced in 1990-91 but
it's worth remembering that back then students could hand in
hand-written assignments and didn't use online study resources.
What concerns me is the 'what evidence do you have to back up what your
saying' bit of the consultation. I worry that they'll be able to just
disregard any responses that haven't provided evidence to back up their
statements. I've been looking for evidence of computer ownership levels
but haven't found much apart from sites such as
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20899109
BBC News - A third of poorest pupils 'without internet at home'
http://www.21stcenturychallenges.org/60-seconds/what-is-the-digital-divide/
Facts and figures of the digital divide in UK - 21st Century Challenges
- Royal Geographical Society with IBG
maybe
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/university-funding-per-student-on-the-rise-says-hefce/2001441.article
University funding per student ‘on the rise’, says Hefce | News | Times
Higher Education
(maybe to show how HEIs have invested in providing on-site computers)?
However - just to clarify some other points in Carolyn's email:-
** Audio Note-taker is an aid to producing typed notes from audio
recordings (its possible to interpet from the email that it can
transcribe automatically from audio - it can't),
and
** if SFE does not allow a student to use their own funds to 'upgrade'
(e.g. from a PC to a Mac) please tell the student to contact the
assessor or Access Centre who did their needs assessment so they can
chase this up with SFE - some SFE officers appear to be misinterpreting
the legislation (there is nothing in DSA legislation that can allow SFE
to refuse this).
Hope this helps
Ian Francis
On 26/04/2013 08:54, Carolyn Hunt wrote:
> I do not feel that a computer is something that all students require to
> study at university. Many of our students come in to the Institute to
> use computers as they do not have access at home; others, living further
> away, use local libraries and we also loan computers and other equipment
> when possible; and many others are working full time and stay at work
> for extended hours to complete research and coursework. In the case of
> disabled students, it may be more difficult to use libraries as they do
> not all have accessible computers and transport may also be a problem.
> Many of the disabled students who contact me also have the concern that
> they find it impossible to work and study at the same time so money is
> limited to essential expenses and they cannot afford the outlay on a
> computer.
>
> Students studying with us have had problems getting such programs as
> Audionotetaker which take a voice recording and transcribe it to text.
> This is invaluable to make students more independent as many can use
> this program to record lectures and convert to text. They may not need a
> notetaker if they can use this program or it can be used as a back-up
> when a notetaker does not arrive; in sessions where a student would
> prefer to be private; or when lectures contain sensitive material.
>
> Many students with specific learning difficulties can find it very
> difficult to change operating systems and programs. They find it very
> upsetting that SFE are refusing to allow them to continue to use an
> Apple Mac when it will take them months to learn a new system. Some have
> offered to pay some extra money in order to top up to the price of a
> Mac and this seems to be disallowed now when it was fairly common in the
> past. I have worked with several students who are deaf and also have a
> specific learning difference.
>
> Be really interested in other people's opinions on this.
>
> Carolyn Hunt AMNADP
> Disability & Wellbeing Support
> Institute of Education, University of London
>
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Twitter: @IOE_DWS
> Phone: 020 7612 6108
>
>
> From: Ralph Hartley <[log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
> Reply-To: Ralph Hartley <[log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
> Date: Thursday, 25 April 2013 15:03
> To: "[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>"
> <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
> Subject: Government call for evidence on DSA
>
> Dear all,
>
> The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (DBIS) have published
> a call for evidence as part of a review of targeted support for HE
> students, including DSA:
> https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/targeted-support-for-higher-education-students-review-call-for-evidence
>
> NDCS is keen that the experiences of deaf young people in higher
> education are reflected in the evidence the department receives, however
> we do not ourselves feel in a position to answer the quite technical
> questions the consultation asks.
>
> I think it would be really useful if professionals supporting deaf young
> people in HE could present a united voice and ensure that their
> responses are consistent. I wonder whether this forum would provide a
> good opportunity to share some initial views and discuss responses so
> that everyone can be on the same page? If people aren’t comfortable
> submitting their own responses, then NDCS would be happy to make a
> response based on feedback through this forum.
>
> The part of the consultation relevant to DSA focuses in particular on
> equipment and what is generally required of students and what should be
> funded out of DSA (see the questions below).
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Ralph
>
> *Ralph Hartley*
>
> *Policy Adviser (Education and Training for Deaf Young People 14–25 years)*
>
> The National Deaf Children's Society
>
> 15 Dufferin Street, London EC1Y 8UR
>
> *[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>*
>
> Direct Dial 0207 014 1187
>
> Mobile 07920403197
>
> switchboard 020 7490 8656 (voice and text) fax 020 7251 5020
>
> *www.ndcs.org.uk <http://www.ndcs.org.uk>*
>
>
>
> <http://youtu.be/S7H_Xitdv3Q>
>
> www.ndcs.org.uk <http://www.ndcs.org.uk>
> The National Deaf Children’s Society is a registered charity in England
> and Wales (1016532) and in Scotland (SC040779).
> Company limited by guarantee registered in England no. 2752456
>
> This email and any files transmitted with it may be confidential and are
> intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
> addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify the
> sender and destroy it immediately. The views of the author may not
> necessarily reflect those of NDCS.
|
