Just a thought for the discussion.
There could be problems using DSA as a measure of
disability in an institution. There are several factors
that could influence the number of students applying for the
allowance. One would be the presence or otherwise of an
experienced and dedicated member of staff to deal with and
encourage and assist applications for DSA. I think that it
is also true to say that students receiving DSA do not
necessarily cost the institution anything extra, quite the
reverse in many cases.
DSA should be used as a guide but together with the number
of students in receipt of disability benefit. Many students
who involve an institution with extra costs will be those in
receipt of state benefits - wheelchair users, blind, deaf
etc.
Dyslexia of course is the biggy. The problem here is that
some institutions rely on DSA income to run a whole unit
while other HEIs put their hand in their pocket and fund
the support themselves. Consequently the number of dyslexic
students claiming DSA in the two different institutions
would have an opposite financial impact.
Bryan Jones
Equal Opportunities Adviser
London Guildhall University.
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