On 15 May 2014 16:23, "Ian F." <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Sorry I meant to add, both students who bought their laptops already did so because they were struggling to keep up with the workload due to having chronic medical conditions that severely limits the amount of time they are able to spend working on campus outside time-tabled taught sessions. I'm not sure how even the most inclusive of university campuses could resolve that problem.

Ian

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Changes to DSA query
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 16:11:30 +0100
From: Ian F. <[log in to unmask]>
To: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. <[log in to unmask]>

I guess as I spend my life asking people if they own a computer I could
look through all my reports and compile some stats to see if my gut
feeling is actually supported (groan). It would be useful to have some
real figures to work with.

I have notes from five students seen this week in front of me, two
currently use a shared family-owned desktop (both quite old machines),
one won some funding to buy a laptop last september, one just bought a
laptop from her own funds (from a Littlewoods catalogue, paying it off
monthly) one doesn't own a computer.  In effect, three out of five don't
have their own computer. Not very scientific I know.

My point though was his comment about 'young people...' [last I checked
DSA was open to students of all ages and backgrounds not just young ones
(with parents who can buy them a laptop...??)] AND the assumption that
students have to own a computer to go to university - if this is the
case it needs to be stated in course admissions documents etc and will
have an implication for general HE IT funding in future.

His comments about band 1 and 2 support used the example of library
support - he said it'll be library staff who have to help a blind
student find the books they need. Assuming all students should be able
to browse through the tables of contents and indexes of books to find
information they might need for research (rather than just look up the
titles online beforehand) that should be an interesting addition to the
duties of a librarian.

I found the following document on the EHRC site that provides quite
detailed guidance on the EA for FE/HE

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/EqualityAct/technical_guidance_on_further_and_higher_education.pdf

Ian





On 15/05/2014 15:24, Simon Jarvis wrote:

I listened to the interview and was quite surprised at his stance on the ending of the Band 1 and 2 NMH support, specifically the comments about ending library support. They may well have a point about universities doing more to anticipate the needs of disabled students, particularly it terms of making curricula more accessible, but in a time of decreasing funding for universities it is going to be interesting how this is managed, assuming it all goes ahead.

At the risk of sounding deliberately controversial I seriously doubt there are many, if any, young people arriving at university without a computer. Whether that machine is strong enough to run the software they've been recommended, let alone last for three years, is another issue, but I can't say I am surprised that someone has finally decided that a system that awards most of its applicants with a brand new laptop needs reviewing.

Simon

Simon Jarvis
Head of Disability & Dyslexia Service
Queen Mary University of London

Room FB 2.30, Francis Bancroft
Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Tel:  020 7882 2765
Mob: 07500825597
Fax: 020 7882 5223
www.dds.qmul.ac.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]UK] On Behalf Of Ian F.
Sent: 15 May 2014 13:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Changes to DSA query

David Willets was on In Touch this week attempting to justify the proposed changes (it's still up on iplayer).

Apparently there will be detailed guidance and it's all out with 'stakeholders' at the moment. Also he's still arguing on the basis that
   'most young people arrive at university with a computer' (or words to that effect) - so we really need an independent yougov-style survey to confirm or challenge this assumption, especially that people who've been supported by DSA are these "young people who already have a computer"
... certainly not the case in my experience.

I thought the point made by one (blind) student that if all students are now expected to own a laptop why should disabled students get one for free was interesting. It seems to support Willetts' position and suggests there is an assumption out there that you now have to have a computer to be able to go to uni.

I'd assume if this is now the case this must also mean there's no need for all these campus-based computer labs stuffed full of expensive computers anymore. I'm sure the big IT firms who love to lobby govt for these contracts will be very pleased to hear this :-)

There were some interesting points about the Equality Act v DSA regarding NMH support raised though. Has anyone done a thorough (legal) review of the implications of the EA in the context of what's previously been considered DSA territory? I've looked but it all seems a bit vague.


Regards
Ian Francis




On 15/05/2014 12:54, Lesley Morrice wrote:

You’re quite right David!

Lesley

Lesley Morrice

ACCESS Centre Manager

Student Services Centre

Portland Building

University Park

Nottingham

NG7 2RD

Tel:0115 8466114

Fax:0115 9514376

My hours of work are:

Mon - Thurs 8.a.m. till 5.00 p.m

Fri 7.45 a.m. till 12 noon

*From:*david@cambridgeaccesscentre.com
[mailto:david@cambridgeaccesscentre.com]
*Sent:* 15 May 2014 12:47
*To:* Lesley Morrice; Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff.
*Subject:* Re: Changes to DSA query

Are these not still */proposed/* **changes?  Not a ''new regime' yet.

David

     On 15 May 2014 at 11:24 Lesley Morrice
     <[log in to unmask]UK
     <mailto:Lesley.Morrice@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK>> wrote:

     Dear Hannah

     I would suspect that they would come under the new regime, as their
     course wouldn’t start until 2015, however I expect that this will
     need to be put to the test!

     Regards, Lesley

     Lesley Morrice

     ACCESS Centre Manager

     Student Services Centre

     Portland Building

     University Park

     Nottingham

     NG7 2RD

     Tel:0115 8466114

     Fax:0115 9514376

     My hours of work are:

     Mon - Thurs 8.a.m. till 5.00 p.m

     Fri 7.45 a.m. till 12 noon

     *From:*Discussion list for disabled students and their support
     staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]UK] *On Behalf Of *Hannah French
     *Sent:* 15 May 2014 10:33
     *To:* [log in to unmask]
     *Subject:* Re: Changes to DSA query

     Hi Lesley,

     Thank you for your response.

     We had seen that guidance but felt it needed further clarification.
     For example, if the student applied for DSA in 14/15 and had their
     needs assessment/entitlements agreed,  but then had to defer due to
     a change in circumstances would they still be affected by the changes?

     As obviously in this case, 15/16 would not be the first time they
     had applied. But if they were awarded DSA in line with the 14/15
     regulations there is potential for a two tier system.

     Any thoughts?

     Best wishes,

     *Hannah French*

     Student Adviser (Disability)

     Student Wellbeing

     B Block

     University of Derby

     Kedleston Road

     Derby

     DE22 1GB

     [log in to unmask] <mailto:Studentwellbeing@derby.ac.uk>

     cid:image001.jpg@01CEAB04.31C201E0

     Tel: 01332 593000

     www.derby.ac.uk/student-wellbeing
     <http://www.derby.ac.uk/student-wellbeing>

     You can speak to an Adviser on our helpline on 01332 592000 2-4pm
     Mon-Fri or email: [log in to unmask]
     <mailto:studentwellbeing@derby.ac.uk>

     This email is intended for the addressee(s) named above. As this
     email may contain confidential or privileged information, if you are
     not the named addressee or the person responsible for delivering the
     message to the named addressee, please telephone me immediately on
     01332 593000.  The contents should not be disclosed to any  other
     person or copies taken

     *From:*Discussion list for disabled students and their support
     staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]UK] *On Behalf Of *Lesley Morrice
     *Sent:* 15 May 2014 09:53
     *To:* [log in to unmask]
     *Subject:* Re: Changes to DSA query

     Hi Hannah,

     The information states that:

     *This change will apply to all full-time, full-time distance
     learning, part-time and postgraduate students applying for DSA for
     the first time in respect of an academic year beginning on or after
     1 September 2015.*

     So unfortunately this student will be affected by the changes.

     Regards, Lesley

     Lesley Morrice

     ACCESS Centre Manager

     Student Services Centre

     Portland Building

     University Park

     Nottingham

     NG7 2RD

     Tel:0115 8466114

     Fax:0115 9514376

     My hours of work are:

     Mon - Thurs 8.a.m. till 5.00 p.m

     Fri 7.45 a.m. till 12 noon

     *From:*Discussion list for disabled students and their support
     staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]UK] *On Behalf Of *Hannah French
     *Sent:* 15 May 2014 09:28
     *To:* [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]UK>
     *Subject:* Changes to DSA query

     Morning,

     We have had a query today from a pre-entry student about the changes
     to DSA.

     Does anyone know if students apply to study this September, but then
     defer to September 2015 - will they still be able to access the
     support *as it is* or will they be affected by the changes from
     15/16? I cannot find this information anywhere.

     Any thoughts would be appreciated.

     Thank you,

     *Hannah French*

     Student Adviser (Disability)

     Student Wellbeing

     B Block

     University of Derby

     Kedleston Road

     Derby

     DE22 1GB

     [log in to unmask] <mailto:Studentwellbeing@derby.ac.uk>

     cid:image001.jpg@01CEAB04.31C201E0

     Tel: 01332 593000

     www.derby.ac.uk/student-wellbeing
     <http://www.derby.ac.uk/student-wellbeing>

     You can speak to an Adviser on our helpline on 01332 592000 2-4pm
     Mon-Fri or email: [log in to unmask]
     <mailto:studentwellbeing@derby.ac.uk>

     This email is intended for the addressee(s) named above. As this
     email may contain confidential or privileged information, if you are
     not the named addressee or the person responsible for delivering the
     message to the named addressee, please telephone me immediately on
     01332 593000.  The contents should not be disclosed to any  other
     person or copies taken


     The University of Derby has a published policy regarding email and
     reserves the right to monitor email traffic. If you believe this was
     sent to you in error, please select unsubscribe.

     Unsubscribe and Security information contact: [log in to unmask]
     <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
     For all FOI requests please contact: [log in to unmask]
     <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
     All other Contacts are at http://www.derby.ac.uk/its/contacts/

     This message and any attachment are intended solely for the
     addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have
     received this message in error, please send it back to me, and
     immediately delete it.   Please do not use, copy or disclose the
     information contained in this message or in any attachment.  Any
     views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not
     necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham.

     This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an
     attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage
     your computer system, you are advised to perform your own checks.
     Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be
     monitored as permitted by UK legislation.


     The University of Derby has a published policy regarding email and
     reserves the right to monitor email traffic. If you believe this was
     sent to you in error, please select unsubscribe.

     Unsubscribe and Security information contact: [log in to unmask]
     <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
     For all FOI requests please contact: [log in to unmask]
     <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
     All other Contacts are at http://www.derby.ac.uk/its/contacts/

     This message and any attachment are intended solely for the
     addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have
     received this message in error, please send it back to me, and
     immediately delete it.   Please do not use, copy or disclose the
     information contained in this message or in any attachment.  Any
     views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not
     necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham.

     This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an
     attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage
     your computer system, you are advised to perform your own checks.
     Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be
     monitored as permitted by UK legislation.




David Austen
Cambridge ACCESS Centre
7 & 9 Orwell House
Cowley Road
Cambridge
CB4 0PP
Tel: 01223 223701
Web: www.cambridgeaccesscentre.com
<http://www.cambridgeaccesscentre.com>