To come into this discussion, I would like to begin by agreeing with the
remarks made by Chris Baxter. In particular that LEA officers should
understand that we are as accountable as they are for the DSA applications
we submit on behalf of students, and that they should trust us as fellow
professionals, colleagues even. I am not aware of disability officers et al
trying to 'swing' dodgy claims past unwary LEAs, but this is how they
treat us (I could start to empathise with second-hand car salesmen!).
Would it be appropriate to suggest that LEA's tend to be particularly
over-zealous when dealing with claims concerning students with hidden
disabilities in general, and dyslexia specifically. Are LEA officers
exhibiting too prevalent responses, in treating students with
obvious disabilities with sympathy, pity, fear, admiration,
patronisation... "Deserving" in general.
Students with hidden disabilities it seems are much more likely to be
treated with disbelief, a lack of understanding and an expectation that
they shoud function as 'normal' (whatever that is) regardless of their
actual extra needs....'Malingerers'?
Perhaps we should be aware that we may have a role to play in raising LEA
awards officers' awareness of disability, discussing the social model in
particular to reveal how disabling an environment universities are for
students with hidden disabilities too. (Yes, I know it isn't in your
job-description)
BUT my real purpose in writing is to say that this is not a new debate, and
I believe that this forum will keep coming back to it with little overall
progress UNTIL we get some caselaw - legal judgements in our favour - to
back up our work for students' entitlements. Previously I worked as an
adviser on behalf of international students at UKCOSA where having the
authority of a judgement by Lord Scarman on 'ordinary residence' was of
massive benefit in making even the most adversarial LEAs back down, and
give international students there grants, where due. SO my real call is to
find students denied their DSA, good test cases, and urge them to seek
judicial review of the action of LEAs. I understand that some legal
opinion has been that this is a risky step as a judgement going against a
student in a test case would be counter-productive. What have we got to
lose. Currently it is a timeconsuming, frustrating mess for us all.
Thank you for your time in reading this.
Debbie Gibberd
Disability Officer
0171 477 8806
City University
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
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