Assess 2014:
DSA Developments
26 November 2014
British Library, London
Ian Litterick
Executive Chairman
Where we started: April 7th
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“25 years without review”
“modernisation”
“Rebalancing” – HEI’s to be more inclusive,
responsible for reasonable adjustments;
Transfer of students with “simple dyslexia”;
No longer pay for:
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“standard computer”;
computer needed for course (eg Mac);
most NMH (“most specialist” only);
Equality Act Definition.
Equality Act 2010 Definition:
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A person has a disability for the purposes
of the Act if he or she has a physical or
mental impairment and the impairment
has a substantial and long term adverse
effect on his or her ability to carry out
normal day to day activities
Actually in effect now;
Still uncertainty over SpLD??;
Learning is a day to day activity.
What we thought:
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Equipment grant going from £46m
2011/12 (“peak oil”)
To c £27m 2013-14 (40% drop)
To c £2.5m 2015-16 (90% further drop);
ie computer only funded for VI and
mobility issues;
Otherwise mainly software;
And then only “complex” dyslexia.
What happened:
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Stakeholder revolt;
Westminster Hall debate, Julian Huppert;
A lot of consultation/information;
Greg Clark replaces David Willetts;
Clarification of SpLD funding for
“complex support needs” (only)(?);
All students to have NA (even if no
further DSA provision).
Sept 12 Minister’s update
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NMH changes deferred 1 year;
Computer stays for 2015/16;
Student contributes £200 to computer;
Not “automatically provide” printers and
consumables;
“explore bulk purchase” for computers;
Consider “Streamlining” the assessment
process
What we have achieved(?)
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Continuing provision of AT “standard
computer”;
Acknowledgement that AT requires more than
basic high street “standard computer”;
Continuing payment for insurance,
maintenance and support;
ie BIS recognise the value of the “one-stopshop” and course-long support to allow
disabled students to minimise the burden of
overcoming their disability;
Abandoning of simple v complex needs??
2015-16
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BIS expect 20-25,000 computers (not very
different);
So £20m + spend?
What will be the deterrent effect of £200
on DSA claims?
Are they intending to keep computer
funding centrally (rather than HEIs for
“simple” SpLD needs)?
(Draft) guidance document and disability
impact assessment.
2015-16 (Draft) Guidance:
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Individual scanners and printers will no
longer be provided other than in limited
circumstances;
Books
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All down to the institution – accessible and
digital.
Therefore HEIs to provide electronic
documents and scanning – BY SEPT 2015 –
documented by March???;
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Library services for printing and scanning;
DSA will fund:
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Standard Computer (WKH) (-£200)
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Assistive Software
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. . . should not recommend a standard computer
unless it is essential and full justification will be
required in each case. . . . must not recommend a
standard computer where an entry-level computer
will meet the needs of the student.
where individual access to that technology is essential
for the student and a reasonable adjustment cannot
be made by the institution to meet the student’s
needs.
Ergonomic furniture
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that is required for study at home (otherwise for HEI).
“Limited circumstances only”:
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DVR, mics, recording pen:
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Handheld electronic spellchecker (Exceptional Circumstances
Process);
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“no longer generally provided” (?!)
“an entry-level computer will provide the same functionality”
Standard computer peripherals (ergonomic) (ECP)
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Solely due to the student’s disability;
“DSA assessors should identify the cheapest available computer that meets the
student’s needs” ??? (Also for standard computers)
Tablet computers (ECP)
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specialist keyboards and mice, wheeled laptop bags, wrist rests, foot rests and
neck rests.
High cost computers/ low weight computers
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“fulfilled by assistive software on a computer, or on a smart phone”;
Ergonomic equipment
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“whether lecture capture facilities have been put in place” (for every teaching
event that might need to be recorded???)
standard keyboards, standard size monitors (up to 15”) and mice
Large or specialist monitors
Never:
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Entry-level computer (no AT);
USB hub / laptop carry cases / extension
leads / surge protectors / computer
stand/risers;
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Course Specific Software;
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(ergonomics? RSI?)
(disability reasons?)
Wheelchairs / mobility scooters
Internet Connection (but ECP)
Others:
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Additional costs of specialist
accommodation:
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Not if HEI or Local Authority Care plan;
Consumables (limited circumstances):
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[no printers] . . . will therefore no longer
be provided for personal equipment;
“Exceptions will be considered
under the Exceptional Case Process”
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“a formal process for dealing with them
will be put in place [details to be
confirmed in due course and flowchart]”.
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worryingly laborious and will inevitably add
to delays for students who, by definition, are
exceptional cases. It is really important that
this process be simple and time limited.
There should be a threshold value for an
ultra-simple process (say £50), or SLC will be
paying much more on the process than the
potential savings/costs.
Appeals to the OIA
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Office of the Independent Adjudicator
But Disability Rights UK concerns:
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time
legal resources and free advice
there being a guarantee that HEIs will
have regulations requiring them to comply
not just with their own procedures (as at
present – see OIA rule 6.4) but with the
policy
Appendices:
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B: Examples of reasonable adjustments
in HE;
C: New NAR structure
£200 contribution:
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48% of DSA claimants get full grant;
60% some grant;
What if they can’t pay?
Last straw for DSA hassle?
Bradford laptop Top Up grant from ALF
(if on full grant) (but by April 2015??)
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Will this be the norm?
It’s a draft:
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1 comment is ignorable;
2 is a mass movement?
2016+
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Bulk Purchasing;
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Streamlining;
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Tender for the whole of DSA Equipment?
Open Source and “free” software?
End for ATSPs and AT industry?
End DSA as a “Beacon of Excellence” in AT provision;
Standard solution for dyslexia?
Trial software system?
End for assessors?
Exploring support for computer not supplied by
ATSPs.
A single tender would:
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Serve students less well;
Kill the UK AT industry, its SMEs and Assistive Technology
innovation;
Reduce future AT exports;
Remove AT expertise and future competition;
Risk tender failure pre award because it is too complex
Be challenged for transparency, equal treatment and nondiscrimination.
Fail to meet its timeline, and so need saving by existing ATSPs.
Risk tender failure post award through under-bidding, overpromising;
Risk raising costs, whether initially or later;
Remove any vestige of personal choice;
Risk making the government even more dependent on its usual
limited range of large outsourcing providers – who have a history of
failing;
Ossify provision with old, lower functioning, stigmatising
equipment;
If it works, don’t fix it.
Government Regulatory Reform
agenda:
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Contrast the DSA!
QAG and QAFs;
Ever tighter guidance;
NAR.
References:
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https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/higher-educationstudent-support-changes-to-disabled-students-allowances-dsa (7
April)
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-voteoffice/September%202014/12%20September/2-BISStudentSupport.pdf (12 Sept)
http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/847636/guidance_docume
nt_-_second_draft_for_publication_16.10.2014.doc (Guidance 2015-6)
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/2765/pdfs/uksi_20142765_
en.pdf (2014 (Regulations: Statutory Instrument)
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachme
nt_data/file/364182/bis-14-1108-higher-education-disabled-studentsallowances-equality-analysis.pdf (Equality Analysis)
https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/sites/default/files/shared/Bradf
ord%20College%20-%20ALF%20-%20DSA%20-%20Computer%20top-up.pdf
(Bradford £200 top-up a/f)
disabledstudentsallowances@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Feedback please!
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Ian Litterick
Executive Chairman
ian@iansyst.co.uk
01223 436680
07860 926159