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Nasser (re your message below following mine) and all, Often disabled students, in my experience, have been through an awful lot to get to where they are now; disbelieved, conveniently ignored, unrecognized as neurologically different, struggling but succeeding, battling for their rights and still not getting an accessible education. They are then encumbered by DSA, the additional needs assessments after diagnosis, continuing exacerbating stress (or CES), the need to consider learning new and more productive/sustainable strategies, management of support workers (although maybe not for much longer), confidentiality issues and additional, well.. additional additional that non-disabled students don't have to deal with. A level playing field? I think some suppliers might say that students have unrealistic expectations. I think that the students expectations are what they are and that is fine and how it should be. The students are forced, almost, to buy a premium service from suppliers and so they should have the best possible service at all points along the way - pre-sale, on delivery, in training (with a trainer of their choice) and then for the remainder of their course If they donšt get that they should be able to complain but where can they really go that is my question. I am raising this on their behalf and NOT pointing fingers - I purely mentioned three suppliers (Microlink, Iansyst and Avantek) who I think have been audited - that's all. I know there are other paid up (or not) DSA-QAG suppliers out there too. I'm just raising questions, debating and trying to gather evidence for positive service development. That is also why I requested suppliers be informed of this in my initial message (via yourself) - to be open. I hope nobody objects to that. Alex Alex Larg [log in to unmask] 07931 561 877 or 07916 175 077 Freelance and Independent Assistive Technology Trainer Freelance study needs assessor Former Disability Officer > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nasser > Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 3:22 PM > > I will naturally be happy to send this message to the supplier's forum > as this affects all of us. I think in gathering such information it > would be extremely important for you to collate the data from both sides > of the fence as I am certain every supplier will contest the version of > the truth told by the students. > > I hope the purpose of this exercise is to improve the quality of the > service and this can only be achieved by active participation of > suppliers and having the opportunity to reply to any unpleasant > accusations they may be facing from a dissatisfied student complaining > to their respective assessor/LEA/DO > > > Best wishes > > Nasser Siabi > Managing Director > Microlink PC (UK) Ltd > Direct: 02380 240 316 > Mobile: 07870603128 > > This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and > intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are > addressed. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please advise the > sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software. > Also destroy and delete the message from your computer. Please note that > any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > author and do not necessarily represent those of Microlink. Finally, the > recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence > of viruses. Microlink accepts no liability for any damage caused by any > virus transmitted by this email. Any modification of the contents of > this e-mail is strictly prohibited unless expressly authorised by the > sender. > Microlink House, Brickfield Lane, Chandlers Ford, Southampton SO53 4DP > (Company number: 3325643) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of alex larg > Sent: 22 March 2007 14:12 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Computer suppliers > > Dear Colleagues > > I have worked as an AT Trainer, assessor and Disability Officer for > around 10 years now. Over that time I have worked with hundreds of > students and some of them seem to have been supplied with unsuitable > computer hardware. This may be due to assessors not recommending > appropriate kit: we all make mistakes - I have made and learnt from many > myself, but this is not my concern here. > > It may, however, be due to the suppliers not providing adequate machines > and/or not providing good and accessible follow up support to their > clients. > > DSA-QAG has been set up, at virtually no cost I believe, to... Well I'm > not sure what for, but the point is they have introduced a service level > agreement (SLA) for suppliers who also have to pay for the privilege of > supplying equipment as a percentage of their turnover. (I'm sure I will > be kindly corrected for my incorrect facts within this paragraph by > colleagues.) > > My point, when I eventually get there, is that DSA-QAG SLA, is dentally > challenged, i.e. there is/are no teeth, or at least none that I am able > to find. (see above.) > > What I would ask of you is to ask your colleagues and students for their > feedback of experiences with suppliers such as Microlink, Iansyst, > Avantek and other DSA suppliers as I wish to collate some information > for evidence to take to DSA- QAG / DfES, as I fear from my experience > some students may be receiving a less that satisfactory service. > > Of course positive feedback is welcome, but I have to be more concerned > with the less satisfactory side of the service too. > > I am sending this message cross-forum, and so apologies for those > receiving this a number of times. > > I also ask Nasser at Microlink, in his position as representative for > suppliers and tier discussion group, to circulate this message on their > list. > > Please pass this onto any other appropriate lists so we can obtain as > wide feedback as possible. I am in the process of rejoining NADP (if > they will have me) and so this has not gone to that list. Maybe someone > at NADP could pass it on if that is deemed appropriate. > > I know that suppliers generally ask clients for feedback, but I feel > that system may be slightly compromised and I don't know whether that > information is published anywhere. > > > Please contact me off-list with your replies. > > Thanks for you time. > Best wishes, > > Alex > > Alex Larg > Freelance Assistive Technology Trainer > Freelance study needs assessor > Former Disability Officer > > Sent using the Microsoft Entourage 2004 for Mac Test Drive.