Hi Anthony,
Thank you for your clarification, I appreciate knowing it is higher that
SFE that this issue originates.
Can you advise me where and to whom I could complain about this £200
policy not being waiveable even in the circumstances we're discussing as
that is distinctly unfair and disadvantages poorer students. It's a
double charge which a non disabled student would not face as they
wouldn't need a machine to run Dragon.
I cite as a similar example cases where a hard of hearing student has
purchased a regular stethoscope and discovered (often because they
didn't realise they had a mild hearing impairment) that they cannot use
it. I have been able to get DSA to fund an amplified stethoscope
without the student having to pay a contribution if they can prove they
purchased a regular stethoscope expecting to be able to use it.
Thanks!
Natalya
On 11/11/2015 15:29, Anthony Hill wrote:
> The £200 contribution a student is expected to make towards a computer
> provided through the DSAs, was passed in regulations by the Government. SLC
> have no discretion to wave the contribution based on personal circumstance.
> Whilst we empathise with the student's predicament, I'm afraid "arguing
> strenuously with SFE" isn't going to assist in this particular case. A
> computer bought prior to the Assessment of Need will not be considered as a
> fulfillment of the personal contribution. We have previously clarified this
> matter with BIS policy.
>
> Technical advice could be sought from an ATSP to understand the cost and
> feasibility of upgrading the machines capability. This may be more
> affordable than the £200, but it's not in SLC's expertise to advise.
>
> Kind regards
>
>
> Anthony Hill
> Targeted Support Services Manager
> Student Finance England
> Tel; 01325 215702
> Mobile - 07827449303
>
> The Student Loans Company Limited
> Memphis Building
> Lingfield point
> Darlington, DL1 1RW
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Tim Symons <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask],
> Date: 11/11/2015 15:01
> Subject: Re: Alternatives to Dragon
> Sent by: "Discussion list for disabled students and their support
> staff." <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
> An interesting argument.
>
> I would suggest this also applies to any AT, for those who have bought a
> very cheap laptop prior to assessment which fails the benchmark test. They
> have paid their contribution.
>
> Would colleagues agree?
>
> Tim Symons | Training Co-ordinator/Needs Assessor/AT Trainer | Access
> SUMMIT – Accessibility Resources and Services | St Peter's House | Oxford
> Road | Manchester | M13 9GH
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [
> mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Natalya D
> Sent: 11 November 2015 14:31
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Alternatives to Dragon
>
> I would argue strenuously with SFE that if the student had a laptop which
> was otherwise suitable for a non-disabled students' study needs that the
> £200 contribution for a laptop which will run Dragon is unreasonable.
>
> Get the needs assessor to do this and don't give up, keep arguing this as I
> have got somewhere with this line before where the student has had a thing
> but not one which was good enough for disability needs. You may need to
> escalate this a few times and if necessary take it to the top but the £200
> is supposed to be a contribution and if the student HAS a laptop they have
> in effect paid it!
>
> You will need to show that the original laptop isn't fast enough for
> Dragon.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Natalya
>
> On 11/11/2015 12:39, Helen Stocker wrote:
>> Dear All
>>
>> I just wondered what the alternatives to Dragon would be.
>>
>> I have a student who already bought a laptop (they were assessed only
>> a month ago) and has been told that it's not fast enough to run all of
>> the software they would need.
>>
>> I have attached a copy of the details of their laptop and software
>> requirements
>>
>> They'd need to pay the £200 towards the cost of a new laptop, but the
>> student does not have this and neither do we. Therefore, we trying to
>> work out ways around it.
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Helen.
>
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