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Disabled Student's Allowance -- worth applying for mental health?
Comments
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But many can only get into the library when they're not in a lot of pain. I've spent the last 2.5 years with a pain disorder. I have days where I can't walk because I am in so much pain. How do you suggest I get to the library?
Not every disabled student is in pain. I'm talking in general terms here, with a majority.0 -
The_One_Who wrote: »Not every disabled student is in pain. I'm talking in general terms here, with a majority.
[FONT="]It isn't feasible for the uni to install assistive software on every computer and in most cases it would be impractical. Certain packages require students to speak to the computer or the computer talks to them. Many students choose to scan in pages and pages of text with a view to having it read aloud, or text can be converted into an MP3 so that they can listen to info when they’re out and about. Doing this with uni facilities would take too long but if it is neccessary for a person to assimilate text then so be it, they should be able to do it as the education system is text based.[/FONT]0 -
[FONT="]It isn't feasible for the uni to install assistive software on every computer and in most cases it would be impractical. Certain packages require students to speak to the computer or the computer talks to them. Many students choose to scan in pages and pages of text with a view to having it read aloud, or text can be converted into an MP3 so that they can listen to info when they’re out and about. Doing this with uni facilities would take too long but if it is neccessary for a person to assimilate text then so be it, they should be able to do it as the education system is text based.[/FONT]
At no point have I said it should be on every computer. A small computer cluster (in a different room if necessary) could be set up with the software installed, scanners, etc.0 -
The_One_Who wrote: »At no point have I said it should be on every computer. A small computer cluster (in a different room if necessary) could be set up with the software installed, scanners, etc.
That already happens as part of 'reasonable adjustments' universities are expected to make but if you are dependent on enabling software for everything you do then a demanding course would be unmanageable with such limited access.
To suggest a situation whereby people need to pay if they are to accomodate their disabilities within acadmia is suggesting a situation in which the disabled and in particular the disabled from low income backgrounds are excluded from education.0 -
That already happens as part of 'reasonable adjustments' universities are expected to make but if you are dependent on enabling software for everything you do then a demanding course would be unmanageable with such limited access.
To suggest a situation whereby people need to pay if they are to accomodate their disabilities within acadmia is suggesting a situation in which the disabled and in particular the disabled from low income backgrounds are excluded from education.
A lot of students could make their way to the library, in the same way non-disabled students have to. It is my opinion that a student should buy (or at least contribute) to their own private computer, especially if they can go to the library. If I need access to a software I do not have, I need to go to the library. I also entirely agree with Poet saying that technology does not fix everything and there are better ways to level the playing field. I understand that in some cases, this is not possible, but I would say that those are in the minority.0 -
The_One_Who wrote: »A lot of students could make their way to the library, in the same way non-disabled students have to. It is my opinion that a student should buy (or at least contribute) to their own private computer, especially if they can go to the library. If I need access to a software I do not have, I need to go to the library. I also entirely agree with Poet saying that technology does not fix everything and there are better ways to level the playing field. I understand that in some cases, this is not possible, but I would say that those are in the minority.
I would agree that human support can be highly beneficial and in many cases essential. However, when you consider that providing a note taker can cost several thousand pounds whereas a laptop PC costs one thousand pounds common sense must prevail. Computers are desirable items but in the grand scheme of things the expense is negligible when you consider you are improving that individual's employment prospects, their earning power and they will pay it back in taxes within months.
Human support means paying a reasonable wage for a skilled service – it doesn’t come cheap. In most cases one hour of 1:1 study skills support for one academic year as funded by the DSA is more expensive than a notebook PC (or Mac for that matter). Though once again the expense is negligible when you consider you are providing an individual with the skills to work independently in the future.
Don’t assume DSA funds are thrown around arbitrarily. Every penny must be argued for with a detailed report. In every instance a laptop computer must be justified if a desktop computer will do – the best and brightest bells and whistles do not constitute a ‘standard package’. In most cases students get desktops and choose to pay the difference themselves. The ‘free laptop’ is a misconception. DSA computers recommended are from audited providers who are continuously competing with one and other to ensure value for money for the tax payer.
There are courses where a computer is a prerequisite, such as distance learning programmes, and in such instances students are expected to contribute up to the value of the computer they would have purchased, assuming a higher specification is required to run their assistive software.0 -
Though once again the expense is negligible when you consider you are providing an individual with the skills to work independently in the future.
Being able to go into the library and work is pretty much essential for a university student. Poet's previous points about future work show that spending money on overcoming difficulties (especially mental health) is much, much better than allowing a student to isolate themselves.
All I ask is for a fairer system, which does not provide equipment to students that is already expected for everyone else, or something that advantages them such as book allowances. No one can get through a degree without a computer, and if you cannot afford one you need to use the library, and no one can get through without using the book resources provided by the library. In most cases the same should be able to be said for a disabled student. I would also like to see that no money is wasted on equipment that will not be used, in the case of someone I know who got a dictaphone and has never used it once. I don't think that's too much to ask.0 -
[FONT="]It isn't feasible for the uni to install assistive software on every computer and in most cases it would be impractical. Certain packages require students to speak to the computer or the computer talks to them. Many students choose to scan in pages and pages of text with a view to having it read aloud, or text can be converted into an MP3 so that they can listen to info when they’re out and about. Doing this with uni facilities would take too long but if it is neccessary for a person to assimilate text then so be it, they should be able to do it as the education system is text based.[/FONT]
Doesn't it work out expensive too? I know they have common software like Read Write Gold at my uni, (because I enquired about it) but somehow don't think they'd have something like Jaws.
It would work out much cheaper for them to buy me a laptop with Jaws on than it would be for them to install it on 5/6 different computers. Cost of a decent laptop? Around £3-400. Cost of software? Some can be as much as £900.Sealed pot challenge #232. Gold stars from Sue-UU - :staradmin :staradmin £75.29 banked
50p saver #40 £20 banked
Virtual sealed pot #178 £80.250 -
Doesn't it work out expensive too? I know they have common software like Read Write Gold at my uni, (because I enquired about it) but somehow don't think they'd have something like Jaws.
It would work out much cheaper for them to buy me a laptop with Jaws on than it would be for them to install it on 5/6 different computers. Cost of a decent laptop? Around £3-400. Cost of software? Some can be as much as £900.
It's a different 'them' so it makes little difference. You're university should have a suite of computers availalbe for disabled students with enabling software - and in some cases Jaws is available, it varies from one institue to the next. Multple licences are often a lot cheaper anyway.
The DSA provides funding for individual students by way of grants via the student loans company (SFE) - which is funded by the tax payer not the uni.0
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