Crumbling cuts schedule announced by BIS

More of the cuts to Disabled Students Allowance scheduled to hit those entering university this September (2015) have been postponed until next year (academic year 16/17). The specific areas mentioned are additional disability-related accommodation, peripherals (which is likely to mean printers, scanners and ergonomic items related to computers), and consumables (which in DSA terms would mean printing and photocopying costs).

This follows on from the stalling announcement made in September by Greg Clark, which halted the threatened massive reduction in funds available for a wide range of non-medical helper support (such as practical assistants and note-takers).

This time round we have again an announcement written in terms of the universities getting a reprieve, the delay is to “help give institutions the time to review the services they offer to disabled students and make appropriate improvements to meet their needs”. This suggests that the universities, not students nor DSA itself are the intended victims of “rebalancing” and therefore universities would have felt some sort of unacceptable impact as a result of reductions in the number of goods and services available via the DSA. Those of us work with actual students are more used to thinking in student-centred terms so this emphasis on the protection of the welfare of institutions is somewhat strange.  

Bearing in mind a judicial review has been granted to two disabled students, the phrase “the Government would prefer to move forward in a consensual manner (as far as is reasonably possible) rather than through litigation” leaps off the page.

Greg Clark (BIS Minister) says he would not want to do anything to put off a disabled student applying for university

Greg Clark appeared hesitant and non-committal about where things go next with the planned cuts to Disabled Students Allowance in last night’s HE Hustings event organized by HEPI, Universities UK, OU and the Times HigherEd.

In response to a question about access to education for disabled students in the context of DSA cuts and the forthcoming judicial review. Mr Clark noted that he had stalled the proposed DSA plans when he came to office. He suggested that things had perhaps needed some more consideration.

For those of us working with disabled students on a daily basis, Mr Clark’s wistful desire for more thinking time was expressed on the day that we had been told final Guidance for DSA administration would be released. No Guidance seen. DSA applicants for academic year 15/16 still cannot have an assessment of need because the administrative guidance has not been released. Instead, we had a long awaited new computer specification document that includes items supposedly on the ‘cuts list’ under DSA modernisation (laptop stands, USB hubs).

Liam Byrne for the Labour Party called for more emphasis on students rights, a suggestion that perhaps reflects the current draft DSA Guidance students that places disabled students without adequate support in conflict with universities without clear or credible means for swift and fair dispute resolution.

Julian Huppert, Lib Dem instrumental in securing a Westminster Hall debate on DSA just before David Willetts left office, continues to support a more rational and steady approach to DSA change.

What now? The judicial review has been granted because the consultation has been challenged as inadequate. The Minister responsible for stalling on the initial modernisation has implied more consultation may be indicated and expressed a sense of what seems almost like a duty of care towards disabled people applying for university. An announcement from BIS soon, surely?