Cuts to Disabled Students Allowance

[NoHaudinMaWheest]

I had vaguely heard about this but the only detail I had seen was in relation to technology which seemed fairly reasonable as it is true that all students use laptops nowadays.
However at a university visit last week I heard intimations that it was more extensive and subsequent googling has revealed that universities are now being expected to supply non-medical support workers (note-takers, mentors, readers) themselves. They also will need to fund specialist accommodation.

I am worried about how this will affect ds who is due to start university in September and who will not cope without a mentor at least.

I wondered if anyone else is affected or has more information?

I found this article NoHaudin which seems to suggest that mental health mentoring should continue to be funded under DSA.

When DS2 (ASD, anxiety) was living away at uni he got specialist mentoring weekly and a 'support worker' who took him to the first lecture of each day. He also got a printer, a recording device for lectures, and software to help organise notes. I don't know if the support worker would still be funded under DSA when the cuts begin.

DS didn't manage living independently and the uni workload and left last summer. He has just started an Open Uni course which is part time and could lead to a degree, although ATM he has only signed up for a qualification eqivalent to the first year of a degree. He is still entitled to DSA and has just been asked to go for a Needs Assessment. (The last one was 2.5 years ago) He says he needs the specialist mentoring again - though I imagine this time it will be done over the phone or online.

Thanks for that link pannetone. It is somewhat reassuring though ds will need study support too as he is also dyslexic.

Sorry university didn't work out for your ds. I hope that the OU does.

I am really unsure about whether my ds will manage everything but we can only try and see.