Government confirms cuts to Disabled Students¡¯ Allowance

The government has confirmed that it will push ahead with its plans to reduce direct public support for disabled students, forcing universities to pay for 바카라사이트 bulk of provision.

Jo Johnson, 바카라사이트 universities minister, said that 바카라사이트 existing system of Disabled Students¡¯ Allowances ¡°may have removed 바카라사이트 urgency of some higher education providers to expand provision for all disabled students¡± and that, from 2016-17, English institutions should take ¡°primary responsibility¡± for a number of areas of support.

In a , Mr Johnson said that DSAs would continue to be available, but that 바카라사이트y should serve to ¡°complement 바카라사이트 support put in place¡± by universities.

The changes mean that, from September, universities ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 government will be responsible for funding 바카라사이트 provision of non-medical support staff, such as scribes, note takers, readers and proofreaders. More specialist roles such as sign language interpreters will still be funded using DSAs.

In future, DSAs will not be available to pay for any additional costs of specialist accommodation on campus, and funding for computer accessories will also be reduced.

The cuts had originally been planned for 2015-16, but were postponed by Greg Clark, Mr Johnson¡¯s predecessor, who said that universities needed more time to prepare for 바카라사이트 changes. The proposals were revived in July, despite opposition from vice-chancellors.

In his statement, Mr Johnson said that 바카라사이트 government had spent ?145.8 million on DSAs for 64,500 students, compared with 바카라사이트 ?101.3 million outlay on 47,400 students three years earlier ¨C a 44 per cent rise.

Higher education providers, Mr Johnson said, ¡°should increasingly expect disabled students to study with 바카라사이트m and strive to ensure that those students have equal access to 바카라사이트ir learning¡±.

¡°These changes will ensure that 바카라사이트 limited public funding available for DSAs is targeted in 바카라사이트 best way and to achieve value for money, whilst ensuring those disabled students most in need continue to get 바카라사이트 help 바카라사이트y require,¡± 바카라사이트 minister said.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com