Dear all,
I have also been informed by Access to work (Leeds) that they do not pay for a diagnosis test, which they expect to be paid for by the employer/individual. However they will pay for any Reasonable Adjustments required arising from that diagnosis. As they explained to me, they could not pay to certify that an individual has a visual impairment but they will pay for costs of assessment to determine the equipment/other support required.
It seems prudent for institutions to pay for the initial diagnostic test to support their employee (RA) and also protect themselves from possible litigation. If they could be reasonably be expected to know that the individual is dyslexic (i.e. indications from individual/issues arising from work), they may well be liable for discrimination.
Regards
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pamela Graham
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 2:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Hi
Apologies for any confusion caused by my earlier comments. I found out a bit more so this is the final part of the reply from our Access to Work in the North East.
"If a person is having problems at work due to dyslexia and this was affecting their ability to do the job a DEA could arrange Dyslexia Screening followed by referral to a psychologist if relevant. The psychologist would assess how the persons disability was affecting their job and could make recommendations but would not actually give a diagnosis. This will not cost the employer."
Pamela
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alison Preece
Sent: 15 May 2008 11:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
I want to take these issues to our Diversity Panel in June so this has been a great way of gaining further information - a big thank you to all of you who have contributed.
I also wanted to raise the issue of a central fund for adjustments that might be needed when a conference is held - primarily the cost of engaging a BSL interpreter. Do any of you have employees who are able to provide this internally? At present we engage free lance interpreters and this adds to the cost of a conference significantly.
Alison
Alison Preece
Equality and Diversity Manager / Rheolydd Cydraddoldebau ac Amrywiaeth
University of Wales,Newport / Prifysgol Cymru, Casnewydd
01633 432912
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jenny Woodhouse
Sent: 15 May 2008 11:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Dear all
A central budget for any disability-related expenditure seems just common sense - but did they listen to me?
Jenny
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Baxter Chris
Sent: 15 May 2008 11:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Hi Tammy (and all)
I think the alarm bells were started by your post which you did change, but also were mused on by
Caroline:
'If IT skills are essential for the work role, we would ask the School/Department to pay for an assessment, but we probably couldn't justify this if the work role didn't need IT skills. So would these people be expected to pay for their own assessments if they wanted them?'
So, no, you're right, nobody actually said that staff members should pay, I suppose I was just responding to the idea that they might be.
Knee jerking moi? (C'est possible!)
Chris Baxter
Diversity Officer
Student Services
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rich, Tammy
Sent: 15 May 2008 11:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
I don't think anyone - and may have missed something - has said that the member of staff has to pay have they? - apart from my mistake in the first email that started this off - and I'm glad I did now. I am going to present an case to Kingston for a Central Fund based on some of the responses received already but, I'm with Pamela, if anyone has got one and not contributed then please advise as it will help those of us wanting to improve our service.
Thanks
Tammy
Tammy Rich | Diversity and Equality
Diversity and Equality Unit | Kingston University | 53 Portland Road | Kingston | KT1 2SH
DL: 020 8417 4025 | Internal: 64025 | Fax: 020 8417 4159 | Mobile: 07917551846 P Save a tree...
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-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pamela Graham
Sent: 15 May 2008 11:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
I agree with Chris. This is the response I got from Access To Work. "If an individual with dyslexia applies we also require sight of a Dyslexia report, if they have not been assessed and do not have a Dyslexia report they will need to approach a DEA in the first instance." Disability employment Advisers have access to occupational psychologists at the DWP.
On the subject of who pays, where there is a cost to the University our budgeting system requires schools and services to cover these costs. It is not a popular arrangement so if anyone has persuaded their organisation to develop a central funding system it would be good to hear how you did it. We would not require a member of staff to pay.
Pamela Graham
Newcastle
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Baxter Chris
Sent: 15 May 2008 10:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Hi all
This is an interesting discussion and one its clear we need to have!
I think it is interesting how support (for want of a better word) for staff seems to be affected in HE by what is available for students, so we 'need' an Educational Psychologists' report - do we? Or would an occupational psychologists report be more appropriate, and how much do they cost?
Whatever the cost the uneasiness for me is the same, 'the cost must be borne by the member of staff or their department' this seems unfair since this seems to mean a disabled person would have to incur additional costs (for which there is no recompense) in order to 'prove' their condition exists and/or a department, irrespective of its size, must bear the cost.
To reiterate the point made by Anne Mwangi on this list: leaving it to departments could lead to inconsistent responses. departments/faculties may well discriminate or make the individual feel as though they are a burden. Sorry if I have mangled your words Anne but they seemed so 'spot on' that I wanted to recycle them!
The inconsistencies and lack of clarity about AtW across the country worry me greatly and I would like to respectfully suggest that responses of HR departments within HEIs may be affected by the presence of DSA led student support. Perhaps we might seek advice from colleagues outside of the arena?
These are my thoughts as a disabled staff member, not in my professional capacity within Student Services.
Chris Baxter
Diversity Officer
Student Services
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lesley A Gyford
Sent: 15 May 2008 09:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Hello
My experience has been that Access to Work will help with any adjustments but not pay the £300 assessment fee for determining the specific type of dyslexia - this is obviously needed to determine what support is required.
Lesley
University of Derby
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pamela Graham
Sent: 14 May 2008 16:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Dear All
Our approach would be to treat it as identifying and assessing a disability and finding a reasonable adjustment as for other types of disability. We would seek support for funds from access to work, but have not so far had to do that.
Pamela
Newcastle University
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Baxter Chris
Sent: 14 May 2008 10:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Dear all
Just to echo Anne's point and to ask if this has been discussed with your local Access to Work adviser? Initial screening should cost less than a full EP assessment and could be borne by the University, the full EP being met by AtW?
EP - Educational Psychologist
AtW - Access to Work.
Chris Baxter
Diversity Officer
Student Services
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anne Mwangi
Sent: 13 May 2008 18:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
Dear Tammy,
I agree that a central budget to support RA is more appropriate than leaving it to departments as it eliminates inconsistent responses. This ensures that departments/faculties have no excuse for discriminating or making the individual feel as though they are a burden. The other argument for a central budget is that an ET would consider the budget of the whole university rather than a specific department.
Regards
Anne
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rich, Tammy
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
I made a mistake on the previous listing. Our developing procedure for staff suggests that the faculty or department should pay for the assessment (approx £300). This has not been put into practice yet but we have a couple of cases being dealt with currently so we need to get this right.
For instance, we have not had a discussion as to who in the faculty / department would make the decision regarding agreeing to funding.
It has been suggested to me (by another university)that a central university fund is a good idea as it would help to eliminate discrimination and applications may be more prevalent in some faculties / departments than others.
Many thanks
Tammy
Tammy Rich | Diversity and Equality
Diversity and Equality Unit | Kingston University | 53 Portland Road | Kingston | KT1 2SH
DL: 020 8417 4025 | Internal: 64025 | Fax: 020 8417 4159 | Mobile: 07917551846
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From: Rich, Tammy
Sent: 13 May 2008 16:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: Kelly, Lorraine H; Rollins, Tracy; de Casagrande, Peter
Subject: Dyslexia Assessments for Staff
I would like to find out what universities provide/fund for staff in the way of dyslexia screening and funding. We have a very comprehensive service on offer to our students for a long time and are now wanting to develop a consistent approach for staff.
I thought a good starting point would be to ask others working in the field what service they offer their staff so I can get an idea of what is considered reasonable - eg should Kingston pay for screening, assessment, follow up support or is any element of that the responsibility of the member of staff?
At the moment the proposal is that the University should pay for the initial screening and a follow up interview but that the assessment is the responsibility of the member of staff.
Advice sought. Many thanks.
Tammy
Tammy Rich | Diversity and Equality
Diversity and Equality Unit | Kingston University | 53 Portland Road | Kingston | KT1 2SH
DL: 020 8417 4025 | Internal: 64025 | Fax: 020 8417 4159 | Mobile: 07917551846
P Save a tree... please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to
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