I think the problem with this point, Claire, and some of Ian's suggestion and to a certain extent Natalya's thoughts is that the funding body are not suggesting that the Genie isn't needed - only that it is outwith the scope of DSAs. They are suggesting that the HEI should pay for the fmGenie system!

" it would fall to [the HEI] to make up for this
> shortcoming by providing the student with this equipment [the
> fmGenie]. In effect [the HEI] are discriminating against this
> student by not providing her with the same level of access to
> tuition as the other members of her course."

So - the focus of this and Natalya's points must be that since this is an individually focused piece of equipment it is a cost that would not be an HEI responsibility but one borne by the student. HEIs are not expected to pay for equipment for one individual only (see my previous posting) and thus the Genie IS within the DSA remit!

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Claire Wickham
Sent: 25 October 2010 14:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: refusal of an fmGenie system via the DSA

Hi,

Yes, while an induction loop might suffice were the course ONLY to consist of lectures, in order to ensure communication in all the other teaching and learning activities e.g. small groups, field trips etc a personal radio aid is the only solution. 

ATB

Claire

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian F.
Sent: 25 October 2010 13:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: refusal of an fmGenie system via the DSA

Hi

I think this is a worrying interpretation of the legislation which the 
funding body need to be educated about as they're not thinking through 
the full impact of a severe hearing loss on participation in all aspects 
of higher education. However, to resolve the issue for this particular 
student - is it possible to argue the case based on the specific 
requirements of the individual student e.g. the nature of their hearing 
loss meaning an inductive large loop won't provide sufficient accuracy 
of hearing for academic purposes? The course expects student to 
participate in group work activities and these might be held in various 
locations, including other student homes, requiring use of fmgenie 
conference mike features? the course requires participation in practical 
activities where loops cannot be fitted e.g. labs, studios, etc??

Loop systems have been required in lecture theatres for a while now to 
meet DDA legislation regarding their use for external functions where 
members of the public might use them. Are they now required by law for 
education purposes? Even if this is the case, it's unlikely to be 
reasonable to expect an HEI to fit a loop in every single room a student 
might participate in a taught session e.g. rooms used occasionally for 
seminars and tutorials?


Good Luck
Ian Francis


On 25/10/2010 10:43, Stephanie Horne wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I'm afraid this turned into a rather long email in the writing, but
> I thought would be useful to have the whole story....
>
> I recently assessed a student with a hearing impairment and
> recommended that the DSA  provided her with an fmGenie system, which
> included a direct input shoe for her hearing aid and a digital voice
> recorder (DVR) to connect to the system. I mentioned in the report
> that although some teaching spaces have loop systems not all do. Her
> funding body (which isn't SFE) refused the recommendation as follows:
>
> "I do not feel it falls to be funded through the DSA as it is the
> responsibility of the HEI to deliver lectures to their students. It
> is mentioned in the report that in order to facilitate this  loop
> systems are available in some but not all lecture areas and I would
> see this item of equipment as supplementing  that expected college
> based  provision. I would therefore expect that it be provided  and
> funded by the HEI as in my opinion it falls outside the scope of the
> DSA."
>
> I responded making a number of observations which included pointing
> out that providing a loop system in all teaching and learning
> locations could not be considered a reasonable adjustment since not
> only would it be prohibitively expensive, loop systems cannot be
> installed in adjacent rooms or rooms above / below as the sound
> 'leaks' and causes interference. That there are situations where the
> student will need an individual solution (e.g. meeting with a
> personal tutor etc), that she will need to use it in group
> discussions, group work done in libraries, exams to hear invigilator
> etc. I also reiterated the fact that it would need to be set up for
> her personally, and that the direct input shoe is for her particular
> type of hearing aid.
>
> The second refusal came back thus:
>
> "I still maintain that this is the responsibility of the HEI, the
> DSA cannot be used to provide facilities that  clearly fall within
> [the HEI's] remit. I am not suggesting that [the HEI] go down the
> route of fitting loop systems to all rooms but rather as this
> facility is provided by the HEI and not available to this particular
> student that it would fall to [the HEI] to make up for this
> shortcoming by providing the student with this equipment [the
> fmGenie]. In effect [the HEI] are discriminating against this
> student by not providing her with the same level of access to
> tuition as the other members of her course."
>
> Has anyone come across a similar situation, or have any suggestions?
>
> Any feedback/ info would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Stephanie
>