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Hi Imogen My understanding is that the new evidence requirement is for SFE to decide whether a student is eligible to receive DSA (and therefore in a position to arrange a needs assessment in due course). The conversations I have been party to have indicated needs assessors will be required to indicate where the 'balance' of reasonable adjustments lies between DSA and HEIs - in effect instructing HEIs which adjustments they will be required to put in place. But this development is one of the changes to be introduced in 15/16, so should not be an issue at present as far as I understand. NADP have been key to voice their concern that assessment centres are not necessarily in a position to fulfil this expectation (though I would not want to speak for NADP here!). Phil From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Imogen Bowers Sent: 03 July 2014 17:11 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: SFE implementing proposed DSA cuts/changes already? Hi Phil Does this guidance apply to how assessor make recommendations within DSA reports or just to the nature of the medical evidence being provided by students to be deemed as eligible for DSA? Will assessors now have to consider how the disability impacts on day to day life and/or access to HE as this SFE staff member seems to be suggesting that assessors need to demonstrate how the disability impacts on day to day life in order to have recommendations approved. This has huge implications for how assessors conduct assessments and how they make recommendations. This needs urgent clarification. 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 3 Jul 2014, at 16:51, Phil Davis <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: Hi Imogen I am currently the Chair of the National Association of Student Money Advisers - at recent meetings of the BIS Student Finance Stakeholder Interest Group, and the SLC Operations Group it has been confirmed the Equality Act 2010 definition is to be used for 2014/15 (this is reflected in the 14/15 DSA Guidance Chapter on the Practitioners website). It has also been confirmed that there has been an increase in the number of applications being pended awaiting evidence where the evidence does not explicitly state the equality act definition is met. We (and NADP) have expressed concern this will inevitably cause detriment to disabled students seeking to access HE by requiring them to source replacement evidence, sometimes with costs attached, and without any generally available published guidance either to students, GPs or other agents issuing such evidence regarding this requirement, or that the requirements have changed mid-application cycle. We understand the SLC are in conversation with BIS regarding these concerns, but ultimately SFE are acting on BIS instructions. Regards Phil Phil Davis National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA) c/o Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln LN1 3DY T:01522 583602 www.nasma.org.uk<http://www.nasma.org.uk/> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Imogen Bowers Sent: 03 July 2014 14:52 To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: SFE implementing proposed DSA cuts/changes already? Apologies for cross posting Hi One comment made by an MP (I forget whom) at the recent debate by MP's on the cuts to DSA said that some universities are reporting that SFE appeared to be implementing the proposed changes to DSA now. I can also state that SFE seem to be implementing the changes when considering the recommendations made in DSA reports. I am a DSA Assessor and have today received an email from SFE disputing the DSA recommendations I have made for a student with VI. Amongst the many infuriating queries, one relates to my recommendation of an adjustable natural daylight task lamp recommended as the student struggles to see when reading or working (typing/writing) in standard lighting (much more justification than this given in the DSA report). SFE have responded by asking..... "Why does it have to be a daylight lamp, can't XX use her own lamp? I would also say that it is the HEI's responsibility to provide adequate lighting. Please can you confirm how XX copes in every day life and can I also ask that you provide a further disability justification. There are so many things wrong with this statement. Firstly, since when has it been HEIs responsibility to provide adequate lighting (?!) in the homes of students with VI?. But more worrying is the assertion by SFE that the HEI is "responsible" for this support (surely a reference to the proposed DSA changes and the "rebalancing" of support from DSA to the HEI?). Also, and this is really obviously a reference to the cuts I think, asking me to justify how the student copes in her "everyday life". As far as I am aware, I do not (currently, at least) have to show how the students disability affects their day to day life, but rather how it affects their access to higher education. It seems that, by posing this question, SFE are asking me to show how she meets the Equality Act definition of disability? Give that she has already been approved for DSA why are they asking me to provide further disability justification? Why are SFE asking for this information unless they are trying to get these proposed cuts in by the "back door"? Is this a widespread new policy and practice or is this just a "rouge" SFE person?! There has been no consultation and no Impact Assessment on these changes/cuts and yet SFE seem to be going right ahead and implementing the changes, on the ground, right here, right now. How can this be right? Many Thanks Imogen Imogen Bowers DSA Needs Assessor Working free lance for Staffordshire Regional Access Centre, Lancaster University Assessment Centre, Pennine Lancashire Access Centre and Broadbents & Co. Imogen Bowers Consulting Limited [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Company Registration Number: 6905754 Scanned by iCritical. Bishop Grosseteste University values people and promotes equal opportunity. 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