New support system for disabled students

YUSU Disabled Students’ Officer, Thomas Ron has joined with the University to create a new system of support for disabled students which ‘will not burn a hole into people’s pockets.’

The aim is to improve the way dyslexic, dyspraxic, and dyscalculic students receive their diagnostic assessment. Ron has described the current system as “expensive and very confusing for any student, an issue which has dogged my predecessors.”

It is claimed that around 5% of students are dyslexic, dyspraxic or dyscalculic. Ron however argues that the figure is in reality higher, telling Vision: “Some students (like myself) have dyspraxia but are classified under another area, so for all intents and purposes are classified as autistic.”

He added that the current system is ‘strange’, noting: “A student who is autistic and dyspraxic pays nothing, as the government covers autism assessments. However, a student who is dyscalculic has to pay. We can’t change how the Government works, however this has added more urgency to create a more affordable system.”

Although there is currently funding available to students from low-income backgrounds to help relieve the expense of the screenings, the University is now aiming to help middle-income students who don’t qualify for the benefit.

Following a meeting last week with Ron, YUSU President Kallum Taylor and Head of Student Support Services Pete Quinn, the University has agreed to four main changes to the current support system. Ron told Vision: “I think the changes will be a great improvement, which will provide a level playing field for students.”

Firstly, the current cost of the assessment is £400, and the University will attempt to reduce the cost whilst maintaining their quality, meaning that less students will be forced to ‘stretch their student loans’.

The University also proposes to shorten the waiting list for these assessments, since many students are currently forced to sit their January exams without their required extra arrangements.

In addition, a payment plan will be implemented whereby a student will pay the cost over the duration of the academic year, rather than in one large payment. According to Ron, this will allow students to “have a payment plan that goes along with their loans, rather than having to cough up the money immediately.”

Finally, the University is planning to make their website more accurate and informative to prevent new student’s confusion on how to get their recommended benefits.

The changes are to be implemented at the beginning of the next academic year, and Ron argues that they will “create an efficient, progressive and cost-effective system that will not penalise students.”