I am currently about a month into a post graduate course as a disability practitioner/consultant and trainer. Disabled students can apply for a grant/allowance that covers disability related costs which can pose a financial barrier to education.

To get the grant you have to have an assessment and confirmation that you have an impairment e.g. GP letter etc. My consultant once again confirmed that no miracle had occurred since the last two times I had this grant to study and all that remained was the assessment.

I spent quite a few hours with an understanding person trying to make sure I was applying for all the right personal assistance and equipment I would need to complete the course on an equal footing with a none disabled person. Much emphasis was placed on how I use electronic formats e.g. e-mail and web forums for communication, notes from a laptop I also hope to get, I read journals on-line and can't write much more than a few words.

Now, due to difficulties in holding books and papers (and looking down to read the things which effects my neck) I have documents I can read on a computer screen - nothing special, just word or pdf documents sent via e-mail.

My assessor wrote all this down and what happened next.....

he sent a several page report on my access needs - in print copy only.

This is typical - and the fee for this person to write that report is deducted from my grant!!

Tags:alternative formats | disabled | education | access