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The ALF has a variety of rules of entitlement attached to it - maybe
many dyslexics don't qualify.  Also, their claims are just one type of
many so why should they take priority?  After all [devils' advocate
here!] they're going to benefit enormously from a free computer.......


-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Francis
Sent: 14 October 2004 02:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments

The DfES advises students "If you need a test to establish your
eligibility
for DSAs, but cannot afford the fee, you can apply to your university or
college for help in meeting the costs through the Access to Learning
Fund. "

Students don't expect to have entered a lottery when applying for
funding to
cover diagnostic tests.

Smaller, specialist (arts) colleges may attract a higher proportion of
potentially dyslexic students but receive a much smaller ALF. Larger
institutions with certain demographics may find they are asked to
allocate a
large proportion of the ALF to cover dyslexia testing, reducing
available
funding for students with other problems.

If the ALF is considered the best source of funding for diagnostic
testing,
I think the DfES needs to consider some way of adjusting allocation of
the
ALF to HEIs to take this into account. Maybe additional funding for
diagnostic testing could be provided to HEIs (on top of the basic ALF)
on a
'case by case basis', assuming the HEI is acting responsibly when
screening
students for referral? Maybe increased funding could be allocated based
on
the number of referrals in the previous year?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Curtis, Cindy" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 12:36 PM
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments


..... At Falmouth we are supporting 400 dyslexic students in
a student population of 2,000 - consequently we cannot fund many
assessments - and can only provide for those who would qualify for ALF
anyway.

Cindy Curtis
Disability Service Manager
Falmouth College of Arts