JiscMail Logo
Email discussion lists for the UK Education and Research communities

Help for DIS-FORUM Archives


DIS-FORUM Archives

DIS-FORUM Archives


DIS-FORUM@JISCMAIL.AC.UK


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Proportional Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

DIS-FORUM Home

DIS-FORUM Home

DIS-FORUM  March 2007

DIS-FORUM March 2007

Options

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password

Subject:

Re: Computer suppliers

From:

alex larg <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.

Date:

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 02:26:56 +0000

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (156 lines)

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.

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

JiscMail Tools


RSS Feeds and Sharing


Advanced Options


Archives

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996


JiscMail is a Jisc service.

View our service policies at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/ and Jisc's privacy policy at https://www.jisc.ac.uk/website/privacy-notice

For help and support help@jisc.ac.uk

Secured by F-Secure Anti-Virus CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager