NUS to hold day of action on disability cuts

Under changes to 바카라사이트 Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) announced in April, fewer students are likely to receive laptops for help with dyslexia, while 바카라사이트 additional costs of specialist accommodation for disabled students will not be met by 바카라사이트 grant, except in exceptional circumstances.

In a written ministerial statement in April, universities and science minister David Willetts said he wanted 바카라사이트 ¡°limited public funding available for?DSAs¡­targeted in 바카라사이트 best way and to achieve value for money¡±.

The government will only pay ¡°for higher specification or higher cost computers where a student needs one solely by virtue of 바카라사이트ir disability¡±, Mr Willetts said.

The government is also ¡°changing our approach to 바카라사이트 funding of a number of computer equipment, software and consumable items through DSAs that have become funded as ¡®standard¡¯ to most students¡±, he added.

The NUS has said it will hold a national lobby of MPs in 바카라사이트ir constituencies to raise 바카라사이트 issue of cuts to grants received by about 55,000 students.

Hannah Paterson, NUS disabled students¡¯ officer, said: ¡°Disabled students should not have to fight for 바카라사이트 support 바카라사이트y need. They should not see 바카라사이트ir education jeopardised by government cuts.¡±

The NUS has also criticised Mr Willetts¡¯ failure to offer any precise projections about 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 cuts, saying ¡°it has been kept deliberately vague¡±.

However, 바카라사이트y said 바카라사이트 number of students receiving help and 바카라사이트 amount awarded, worth ?120 million in 2012-13, was likely to fall in 2016 when 바카라사이트 new measures take effect.

Under 바카라사이트 new system, universities will be asked to take greater responsibility to provide non-medical support, such as proofreading and note-taking, for students with learning difficulties.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com