On 10 Apr 2014 15:58, "John Conway" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

But many will make the connection and even imagine a causal connection as every statement taken to mean dyslexia doesn't exist fuels the diminution of support for dyslexic students such as the end of the Disabled Student Allowance for them.

I don't think you are saying it doesn't exist but is how many have perceived it.  Assuming you are not saying it doesn't exist could you clarify your views and help counter this government change to student support???

Regards
John
(Sent from my iPhone)

On 10 Apr 2014, at 09:43, "ELLIOTT J.G.C." <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:


You're mistaken, Daniel, although I can understand your reaction to what is a coincidence.

I only learned about the cuts when you did.

The book was started in 2009 and I have had no involvement with B.I.S.  My focus is much more upon conceptual and operational issues concerning dyslexia and its assessment than disability funding/resourcing.

Best

Julian





Julian (Joe) Elliott AcSS., B.Ed., B.A., M.A., M.Sc., PhD., C.Psychol. A.F.B.Ps.S.
Principal of Collingwood College
Professor of Education
Durham University
South Road
Durham DH1 3LT
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 191 334 5000
email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
http://www.dur.ac.uk/education/staff/?id=2004
________________________________
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] on behalf of Daniel Aherne [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>]
Sent: 10 April 2014 14:08
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: The end of dyslexia in higher education?

Was I the only one who read the title of this message and assumed it was related to the DSA cuts...

On 10/04/14, "ELLIOTT J.G.C." <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:

Dear colleagues



I have read recent correspondence with great interest.



I hope some of you will be attending the conference here in Durham on May 7th.

It is called The End of Dyslexia in HE?



It will build upon my recent book The Dyslexia Debate and I hope that after a discussion of recent findings in the research world, participants can work together to examine the best ways to support students with various disabilities.



In order to maximise participation, I have tried to make this event as cheap as possible - £60 (includes lunch and tea/coffee) Details are on the sites below:



https://www.dur.ac.uk/conference.booking/details/?id=297



https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/education/research/40101_DU_Advert_Dyslexia.pdf



Thanks

Julian



Julian (Joe) Elliott AcSS., B.Ed., B.A., M.A., M.Sc., PhD., C.Psychol. A.F.B.Ps.S.
Principal of Collingwood College
Professor of Education
Durham University
South Road
Durham DH1 3LT
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 191 334 5000
email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
http://www.dur.ac.uk/education/staff/?id=2004
________________________________
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] on behalf of PERRETT C.J. [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>]
Sent: 10 April 2014 13:43
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??

Whilst I am in complete agreement about the source of these statistics (and it seems like an incredibly spurious ‘fact’ to base a substantial policy change on), my major concerns about this reform lie elsewhere.  The proposal to remove funding for any bands 1 and 2 NMH support will have a significant effect on all categories of disabled students.  We currently have a PhD student who is unable to type independently and Dragon is not suitable.  They can only do their thesis with the support of a typist/scribe.  It’s all well and good the government saying that universities need to look at how courses are delivered, but how do you get around that?

The wording of the statement released by David Willetts was cynical at best – advocating independence for disabled students whilst cutting back on the support they need to maintain independence (and I include computer equipment in this).  Whilst I don’t disagree that HEIs need to take their responsibilities for inclusive teaching and assessment and reasonable adjustments more seriously, the reality of the situation is that disabled students will suffer as a result of this move by the government.  Yes, DSA needed a bit of a shake up, but not like this.  Once again the hatchet has been brought out and struck without any due care or attention.  I’m sure the consultation exercises will be interesting and I can’t wait to see what the impact assessment will say!

Catherine

Catherine Perrett
Disability Caseworker/Gweithiwr Achos Anabledd
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From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Litterick
Sent: 09 April 2014 17:42
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??

I’m told it **wasn’t** just Endsleigh customers, which would indeed have been self defining, but from a/the NUS database.

Ian

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melanie Thorley
Sent: 09 April 2014 17:15
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [DIS-FORUM] 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??

I agree with John, the methodology is questionable at best. It may even be the case that only students who had taken out Endsleigh insurance may have been contacted. A bit like Specsavers saying 96% of UK residents wear glasses.....

Melanie Thorley MAUA ANP
*AccessAbility Project  Co-ordinator
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
07931 226599


Sent from my iPad


On 9 Apr 2014, at 16:35, "Ian Litterick" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Evidence-based policy making at its best.

I had a similar conversation. This was a marketing exercise by Endsleigh. The sample was from universities “which work well for us� , ie where Endsleigh do more business, ie where they sell more insurance.  The NUS may be able to shed more light non methodology, but they are having their annual conference.

John’s comments on who is likely to respond are entirely valid.

Regards
Ian Litterick

From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Imogen Bowers
Sent: 09 April 2014 16:11
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [DIS-FORUM] 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??

Hi

Well found out John.

It beggars belief that a whole raft of support is being dismantled on the basis of such flimsy “evidence� . Makes me think that this decision is not based on facts (clearly), or a desire to improve service provision or even to save money but is merely as a result of a political ideology to rid us of that pesky “state�  and “scroungers". I heard the other month that they were assessing as "fit to work�  some people diagnosed with terminal cancers (nice). If that is true then I don’t hold out much hope for DSA and disabled students.

Many Thanks

Imogen

Imogen Bowers
DSA Needs Assessor

Imogen Bowers Consulting Limited
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

Company Registration Number: 6905754



On 9 Apr 2014, at 15:56, John Hodgson <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:

Hi Guys,

Just spoke to the communications manager at Endsleigh. Endsleigh commissioned NUS to undertake the survey and students were emailed at random if they  were happy for marketing materials to be sent to them. The email asked if the student had a laptop/tablet etc.

Not quite ringing someone to ask if they have a telephone but there are parallels.

Might be worth checking this is the case with NUS as I was told that she wasn't totally clear on the methodology. My concern is that:

* Students who don't have a laptop/computer may be less likely to leave an email address and be unable to respond.
* Students who don't have a laptop/computer may not respond.

I was told that these statistics were requested by Endsleigh for marking purposes only.

Kind regards,

John Hodgson
Study Needs Assessor

________________________________
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 11:53:01 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
So, 0.072% of registered students took part in the survey then?


Clearly a definitive figure.


Tim


From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf OfMelanie Thorley
Sent: 09 April 2014 12:22
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??


I am not a statistician by any means. According to HESA, there were 2,340,275 undergrads and postgrads registered for the 2012/3 academic year - the same year the Endsleigh/NUS survey was undertaken which produced the 96% figure.

Melanie Thorley MAUA ANP
*AccessAbility Project  Co-ordinator
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
07931 226599




Sent from my iPad



On 9 Apr 2014, at 12:06, "Tim Symons" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Yes – one would presume it was an ‘online survey’….


That sample is ridiculously small, biased and overtly flawed.


I presume that this will be the keystone in any defence.


Tim


From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melanie Thorley
Sent: 09 April 2014 12:03
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??


Plus, only 1704 students responded to the survey. It is possible the students without a laptop or ready access to a computer may not have completed the survey
Regards
Melanie

Melanie Thorley MAUA ANP
*AccessAbility Project  Co-ordinator
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
07931 226599




Sent from my iPad



On 9 Apr 2014, at 12:00, "Tim Symons" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
One would presume so…..Interesting….What percentage of students in receipt of DSA is of the total student population I wonder? 10-20%?


Tim


From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of ALLMAN Dave
Sent: 09 April 2014 11:55
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??


Would the 96% include all of the students awarded computers through DSAs?

Dave
Dave Allman
Head of
Student Enabling Centre
Student Office
Staffordshire University
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
01782 294982
From Blackberry

From: Kevin Brunton [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2014 11:53 AM GMT Standard Time
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: Re: 96% of students own a laptop or net book - Endsleigh, August 2013 ??

According to this PR release the NUS actually undertook the research:

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130724005816/en/Endsleigh-Students-%C2%A32000-Worth-Gadgets-Possessions-University#.U0Ul54XV6K0




On 9 April 2014 11:45, Ian F. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Hi all

I'm struggling to verify or even find the source of the above statistic mentioned in the recent SSIN

http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/744663/ssin_01-15_apr2014.pdf

Anyone else had any luck?  It just doesn't seem correct in my experience, but maybe the survey didn't cover east london.

Given the NUS's response to David Willetts statement on DSA changes, I'm sure Endsleigh will want their stats to be accurately quoted and not quoted out of context...

Ian





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Daniel Aherne
Disability Adviser
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