Research abstract

Calls for an immediate halt on the proposed changes to a student lifeline

The government is attempting to change the criteria for the Disabled Students Allowance, which could result in fewer specialist services and a narrower definition of specialist support. Many charities, including Dyslexia Action, are protesting these changes. By Mark Lever

Laura Lurns Last updated November 4, 2016 · 1 min read

As if life isn’t hard enough already, disabled students are facing a new challenge. The government is proposing to change eligibility criteria for the Disabled Students’ Allowance. These could mean up to 53,000 disabled students would find themselves unable to get the vital support that helps them go to college.

I feel it is important that the views and opinions of several persons from charities and executive positions are expressed. Getting an idea of where there mindset is and how they feel/think.

The Special Educational Consortium is unhappy with what it calls a “deeply flawed” process of reforms. Its members were not consulted, the SEC says, and so it says it cannot support the reforms as they are now. A whole slew of organizations including the Dyslexia SpLD Trust, The National Autistic Society, The Children’s Society, The Alliance for Inclusive Education, Association of Educational Psychologists, The National Association of Head Teachers and The National Association of Specialist Colleges are urging the government to shelve its plans to reform the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Key takeaways

Government changes to university aid programs for dyslexics and other special-needs people are being protested by various Special Education Needs organizations.
SEC calls on the government to halt their proposed reforms until the process itself is reformed.
The biggest complaint from the protesting charities is that the government’s plan was made without consulting any of the people it will affect.

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Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.

I feel it is important that the views and opinions of several persons from charities and executive positions are expressed. Getting an idea of where there mindset is and how they feel/think.

Key takeaways

Is your child struggling in school?

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