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Autistic son on 32 hours school EHCP told only University help is PC with Mic and 1 hour per week support

Andy

Hi, 

I'm not sure if any one can help, but I've been reading about the great support that students have been getting from their chosen universities.

My son has chosen to do a Computer Science degree at a local university which will allow him to stay living at home.

The only problem is the support the University are offering.

I know his EHCP will end when he goes to University and we must get the DSA submissions done for what he needs, but the Uni is saying in spite of what he is granted by the DSA he will only be provided with:- 1.  a laptop with software and a mic       2. A meeting with a Course worker once a week or once a fortnight.  3. A meeting with a mentor once or twice a fortnight.

Even if we get everything we need like a scribe, a note taker, a guide, assistance with private study from the DSA......the university have said that they would not allow outside assistance on to site, let alone into lectures.

I've seen videos of people with guides, mentors, note takers, anxiety coaches, lab assistance, PA's etc at other universities.

Is this possible to get ?

It would be a massive leap to go from 32 hours teaching assistance at school to essentially nothing at university.

He is a very smart cookie but I'm worried he would be overwhelmed.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Andy

  • Hi Andy,

    This is an unusual problem from what I understand, because it's really dodgy and possibly illegal, but as someone using DSA non-medical help in university currently I will do my best to help.

    At the route of the problem, they're not allowed to do that? Many universities have requirements for these people (called by DSA non-medical helpers or NMH), such as that they are appropriately registered and have named contacts within the university, but the university can't just refuse them, as Bunny has said below that would definitely count as discrimination.

    The general DSA guidelines for what are referred to as 'Non medical helpers' is that if they are provided by the university (as is the case for my uni) they are not covered by DSA. So my mentor and study skills advisor are provided by the university, whereas if I was at another university they would be provided by DSA, but they'd still let them in the building, as long as they signed in and followed safety regulations. Most universities that do this have a specific information page about them. For example Birmingham: https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/student/your-wellbeing/disability/nmh-information.aspx, Oxford: https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/Guidance%20for%20external%20NMH%20providers_0.pdf, Essex: https://www.essex.ac.uk/staff/students-with-disabilities/non-medical-support-provider-guidance to give you an idea of what other unis have in place. 

    I'm not usually an advocate for naming and shaming, but I'd be interested to know which university this is, if only so I can have a look at some of their documentation for you to try and work out what might be going on?

  • There are specific and detailed rules about what higher education establishments can allow in terms of outside provision on their premises, and each interprets guidelines differently.  Much of this is in regard to safeguarding in relation to the other students - they have to consider everyone on site.

    I realise it must be a huge change from your current provision to switch to whatever is granted by the Disabled Students Allowance, added to the basic provisions offered.  I strongly suggest you ask to meet with someone at the University to formulate a plan going forward, as they must have encountered similar situations before though.

    There's information on the UCAS website which may help in the meantime.   I do hope you are able to find a satisfactory resolution and that his University time is rewarding & productive.  Regards. 

    www.ucas.com/.../disabled-students

  • Hi Andy and welcome to the community.

    You might find the advice here helpful:

    NAS - Disability discrimination in further and higher education (GB)

    It includes, for example, links to conciliation and mediation services including:

    Office of the Independent Adjudicator -  a free service that caters to students in England and Wales.