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DSA Changes Elaine Shillcock Head of Disability Support – University of Manchester Vice Chair NADP
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Challenging Questions What do the changes to DSA in 2015-16 and 2016-17 mean for access agreements? How can institutions meet their legal obligations, and ensure that they fulfil the ambition of their access agreements in relation to disabled students?
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‘Rebalancing’ A move away from DSA-funded support towards HEI-funded support No (or limited??) additional funding for HEIs vs Costs Provision of NMH support Universities do not have to fund support for which other funding (such as the DSA) is available
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Extent of the changes These changes currently only apply to students funded by SFE No changes yet announced by SFW, SAAS, RCUK, NILB, NHS Bursaries. Equality Act Duties on HEIs remain the same.
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So …… the impact on students There will be students in a classroom funded by different funding bodies, some with a full DSA package, some with a new-style DSA package, some with no DSA support Siblings who have previously received DSA will have younger siblings who won’t get DSA in the same way for the same type of condition Meeting student (and parent) expectations Student entitlements and demands
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Current DSA Equipment Allowance Laptop, software, printer/scanner, ergonomic furniture Literacy, mind mapping, voice recognition Digital recorder and supporting software NMH Allowance Note taker Specialist tutor / mentor General Allowance Books & consumables Travel Allowance
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Planned changes for 2015 Equipment £200 contribution from student (no high spec computers simply for course reasons) Printers / scanners no longer automatically funded General Additional accommodation costs in HEIs No fridges in HEIs No consumables (course software and special diets not covered) (source : SFE website)
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UoM £200 contributions (SFE) 2013-2014 Total Assessments 474 Laptop/Desktop recommended at initial assessment 246 At ONE assessment centre in M/c 246 x £200 = £49,200 474 x £200 = £98,800 2014-2015 new registrations with the DSO = 1285 students (£257,000)
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DSA Equipment CAN continue to be funded Low weight computers Tablet computers Scanners Printers Specialised keyboards, mice, headphones if needed for voice dictation software Larger monitors Ergonomic equipment (home use) Digital voice recorders Assistive technology CANNOT be funded USB Hub Laptop carry case Extension leads Surge protectors Power leads Computer stands Electronic spell-checkers Course specific software Special equipment required because of how a course is run (ag Apple Mac) Wheelchairs / mobility scooters Ergonomic furniture to be used at the University Books Internet connections Special diets Fridges
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Planned changes for 2016 NMH “Education Institutions will be expected to develop appropriate mechanisms to fully deliver their statutory duty to provide reasonable adjustments, in particular non-medical help, and to improve the processes by which disabled students can appeal against a Higher Education Institution’s decision that an adjustment would not be reasonable for 2016/17” SFE Website
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NMH provision moving to HEIs Practical Support Assistant Library Support Assistant Readers Scribe/Amanuensis Workshop / Lab assistant Proof reader Study Assistant Examination Support Workers Manual note-takers (including for SpLD) Specialist Transcription
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Tutoring Support
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Note-taking and other support
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Complaints / Appeals Institutions are being asked to improve the appeals process for students who have requested an adjustment which has been rejected. Institutions should seek to minimise any delay for disabled students seeking adjustments. Arbitration - Disputes between institutions and SFE on the provision of reasonable adjustments vs DSAs are still to be confirmed.
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How might the DSA process change, and what will this mean?
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Assessments Likely to be a reduction in the number of students having assessments HEIs will need to assess what support they are able to provide The DSA will be for complex needs that fall outside the HEI remit
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Threat or Opportunity? Could be both Are we open to change? Improve efficiency Reduce costs Improves student experience Or could drastically impact negatively on the student experience if we get it wrong
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Challenges Little, or no, additional funding Setting budgets NOW with incomplete information Inclusive teaching & learning - crucial Creative thinking
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OFFA Expectations Access Agreements to set out broad commitments about how you will provide support for disabled students. Costs of making reasonable adjustments is a statutory duty under the Equality Act – therefore NOT countable in Access Agreements.
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OFFA Expectations Anything that goes beyond reasonable adjustments can probably be included Additional expenditure can probably be included OFFA guidance due in March?
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Discussion 1 How you expect to replace the Bands 1 & 2 NMH provision from 2016 How you will maintain disabled student admissions targets Reasonable adjustment appeal process HEFCE Base-level provision guidance, 99/04 referenced in the draft BIS DSA guidance
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Discussion 2 How do we deal with the £200 contribution? Do we absorb the [extra] accommodation costs? Diagnostic SpLD assessments (educational psychologist) Inclusive Teaching & Learning Materials Evaluation of policies and procedures Podcasting lectures – won’t replace note-takers
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Implications 2016 Potentially massive implications on budgets Do we replace like for like or do we come up with new and innovative solutions? Look at staffing profiles – hourly paid vs in- house etc Training needs / upskilling of staff
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1.Specialist support for students with SpLDs and other support – expectation of reducing level – Change to current DSA practice 2.Bands 1 and 2 NMH provision – Institutional responsibility 3.A rigorous whole Institution Appeals Policy for reasonable adjustments – a challenge with a massive impact on students
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Funding through DSAs should be the top of an apex of support, underpinned by an inclusive environment, and institutional reasonable adjustments where full inclusivity is not possible It is recognised that in some cases it may be unreasonable to expect an institution to provide an adjustment for the disabled student and exceptionally the support required may be considered under DSAs. http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/847636/guidance_document_- _second_draft_for_publication_16.10.2014.doc
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DSA Institutional Reasonable Adjustments Inclusive teaching and learning environment
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References Draft DSA Guidance www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/about- us/practitioners-news/bis-1516-dsa-draft- guidance.aspx www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/about- us/practitioners-news/bis-1516-dsa-draft- guidance.aspx HEFCE Base Level Provision Guidance http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/2010 0202100434/http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefc e/1999/99_04.htm
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