Sadly I think your students are right to be anxious.
The National Autistic Society (NAS) wrote this statement:
http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2017-02-27-pip.aspx
Additionally the government's own equality impact analysis "conditions"
(not people I note!) most likely to be affected by changes incudes those
with autism. p.20 at
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593392/pip-assessment-criteria-equality-analysis.pdf
The government's analysis worries me as they've clearly decided autistic
people's difficulty is about psychological distress which they are
presenting as "less valid" "less real" than physical impacts. A false
dichotomy which most disability organisations are fighting because it's
a false divide.
The only thing I can think to advise is contacting the NAS for advice.
Writing to MPs (both you and students if they can) and support
disability and other organisations campaigning against these changes.
Natalya
On 22/03/17 15:31, Kat Brown wrote:
> I believe these changes went 'live' for new PIP claims as of last week.
>
> I'm trying to ascertain if people with mobility issues, due to being on the autism spectrum, would be considered as a cognitive/sensory impairment, rather than categorised under this heading of 'psychological distress'. I know everyone's claim is 'individual' but I am trying to find some guidance on this for my AS students who are very worried about these changes. Any advice/info?
>
> Kat
>
>
> Kat Brown
> Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Advisor
> Working Hours are Tues,Weds,Thus 12pm-5pm
>
> Student Support Unit
> Bramber House
> University of Sussex
> Brighton BN1 9QU
> T: 01273 877466
> E: [log in to unmask]
>
> Please note that email is my preferred method of communication
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mel Fox
> Sent: 27 February 2017 14:00
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Changes to PIP definitions and descriptors
>
> This is horrific:
>
> http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/194/contents/made
>
> Mel Fox
> Student Wellbeing Adviser
> CU Scarborough
>
> 01723 336708 / 07974 984643
> [log in to unmask]
>
|