Computer costs for students with disabilities

Medical students with disabilities will have to pay for computers under Government reforms described as ‘highly disappointing’ by the BMA. From the 2016 academic year, students in England with disabilities will have to pay the first £200 towards computers following changes to the DSA (Disabled Students Allowance). Printers, scanners and digital voice recorders will no longer be provided, and computer accessories will be funded only in exception circumstances, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills adds. The Government announced the changes this month in response to its consultation on targeting funding for disabled students in higher education from 2016/17 onwards. Commenting on the results, BMA medical students committee joint deputy chair and finance lead Tom Rock (pictured) said: 'The Government's changes to the DSA is highly disappointing. 'It requires students with disabilities to pay for the first £200 towards a computer at a time when [they] are already struggling financially with ever-increasing fee and living costs. ‘The Government's decision to require universities to pay for reasonable adjustments represents another step away from the Government seeing education as a benefit to all of society.’ Mr Rock added that the changes to the DSA followed other cuts to student support, such as bursaries for nurses, which were announced in the Government’s comprehensive spending review. ‘By removing the NHS Bursary ...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news