I'm probably being synical but if 'they' do bring in part-timers, it will
probably be restricted by age like the Workability initiative being launched
today........for 16-34 year olds. Too bad if you are 35 eh? At the OU our
students don't even get a sniff of DSA.
Bonita
**********************************************
Dr Bonita Thomson
Adviser
Open University East Anglian Region
Cintra House
12 Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 1PF
01223 364 721
**********************************************
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>
>> From: Chapman Val <[log in to unmask]>
>
>> I was under the impression after the post Dearing meeting arranged
>> by SKILL in London that, in addition to the DSA no longer
>> being means tested, as from Sept. 98, PART-TIME students would be
>> eligible to apply for the DSA. Were my ears deceiving me when the Rt
>> Hon MP said this?
>
>Afraid so, just like I'm sure he said I'd won the lottery.
>
>I don't think it is breaking a confidence if I say that when I
>enquired of the DfEE what might be holding things up, I was told
>that, among other issues, the numbers involved was a problem.
>Clearly, the decision must depend upon what it will cost and those
>who were doing the arithmetic were receiving conflicting signals.
>Some told them their estimates were far too low, others that they
>were far too high. It seems that until they are more confident of
>what to expect a decision may be too much of a gamble.
>
>Despite the confidence with which I have heard people trot
>out figures at different times and places, I still think disability
>stats are most elusive. No matter what we think is the case, the only
>reliable figure is derived post hoc. Thus we now know how many people
>have applied for DSAs since 1989/90, but I doubt if anyone could have
>predicted them- consider the impact of dyslexia alone.
>
>Dave Laycock
>
>Head of CCPD, Chair of NFAC
>Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
>University of Westminster
>72 Great Portland Street
>London W1N 5AL
>
>tel. 0171-911-5161
>fax. 0171-911-5162
>WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
>
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