Regarding the last two paragraphs of Martin Fletcher's contribution to the
ongoing debate, as follows:
>The mere notion that there needs to be an intermediary between the
>student and the process of claim/award as well as a set of professional
>assessors merely emphasises the lack of trust and the resultant
>oppressive barriers that are contained within this system.
>
>The phrase 'I have a student who ....' should simply not exist - why are
>we "making claims on behalf of students"?
I agree with Martin's sentiment, entirely, and our students still apply on
their own behalf. However, I noticed a kind of "watershed" about four years
ago (perhaps earlier, time passes!). Before that time I could point
prospective students in the direction of their LEA (for DSA) and Social
Services (for daily living care funding, if relevant) and relax in
confidence that they would get appropriate advice, assistance, and funding.
Then quite quickly it became obvious that if we didn't thoroughly learn all
the regulations and criteria (where published, and that's another story!)
and be prepare to support a student's case when necessary (sometimes by
"throwing the book" at the officer concerned) students were going to miss
out on their entitlements.
I fully appreciate the fact that most of these LEA and Soc Servs staff are
being severely squeezed financially, but being unfair to individuals is not
a valid way of saving money. Fortunately there are shining exceptions, and I
am dealing with one Soc Srvs Dept that has gone significantly beyond the
theoretical Soc Servs and ILF combined total to support a seriously disabled
student now approaching Finals.
Yours, Ron Hinton
Dr R.A.L.Hinton
Director, Tactile Diagrams Research Unit &
Senior Tutor to Students with Disabilities
Education Dept.
Loughborough University,
Leics. LE11 3TU
United Kingdom
Tel: 01509-222770 Fax: 01509-223912
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