DSA Changes

Elaine ShillcockHead of Disability Support – University of

ManchesterVice Chair NADP

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?

‘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

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.

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

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

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)

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)

DSA Equipment

CAN continue to be fundedLow weight computersTablet computersScannersPrintersSpecialised keyboards, mice, headphones if needed for voice dictation softwareLarger monitorsErgonomic equipment (home use)Digital voice recordersAssistive technology

CANNOT be fundedUSB HubLaptop carry caseExtension leadsSurge protectorsPower leadsComputer standsElectronic spell-checkersCourse specific softwareSpecial equipment required because of how a course is run (ag Apple Mac)Wheelchairs / mobility scootersErgonomic furniture to be used at the UniversityBooks Internet connections Special dietsFridges

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

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

Tutoring Support

Note-taking and other support

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.

How might the DSA process change, and what will this mean?

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

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

Challenges

• Little, or no, additional funding• Setting budgets NOW with incomplete

information• Inclusive teaching & learning - crucial• Creative thinking

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.

OFFA Expectations

• Anything that goes beyond reasonable adjustments can probably be included

• Additional expenditure can probably be included

• OFFA guidance due in March?

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

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

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

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

• 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

DSA

Institutional Reasonable

Adjustments

Inclusive teaching and learning environment

References

Draft DSA Guidance www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/about-us/practitioners-news/bis-1516-dsa-draft-guidance.aspxHEFCE Base Level Provision Guidance http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100202100434/http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/1999/99_04.htm