Scottish Government

REVIEW OF PROVISION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES INTERNATIONAL PAPER

Introduction

The Review of Provision for Students with Disabilities was initiated by the Funding for Learners ( FFL) division of the Scottish Executive in spring 2005 in order to examine the support available to students with disability-related additional needs studying at Further Education ( FE) and Higher Education ( HE) level in Scotland. The main aim of the project is to consider options to improve the efficient and effective use of the existing financial resource for individual support for disabled students, within the context of institutional funding to support widening access. We will also consider the feasibility of introducing a single system of support, which would be based on need, rather than level of study.

This paper offers an international overview of the systems of funding for students with disability-related additional needs in:

• Scotland
• England & Wales
• Northern Ireland
• New Zealand
• Denmark, and
• Canada

Where appropriate, the paper covers the support arrangements for students studying at both FE level and HE level, although of the majority of countries researched as part of the project, only Scotland has a particularly highly developed FE sector.

SCOTLAND

FURTHER EDUCATION

Individual Support

Disabled students who incur extra costs arising from their disability whilst undertaking a course of Further Education can apply to their college for an Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance. This allowance is administered by colleges, and is paid to disabled students to help with the additional expenditure they often incur in order to attend and progress on their course, for example, computer software or Braille paper. This allowance is not means tested.

Students with disability-related additional needs studying at FE level may also be eligible to receive an Education Maintenance Allowance ( EMA). EMAs are targeted at young people from low-income households, and provide a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30 to help students continue their education.

Institutional Support

The Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance is paid from a college's bursary funds, which are allocated to the college on an annual basis by the Scottish Funding Council ( SFC).

In addition, the college will receive additional support per capita for each student enrolled on a course defined by SFC as Dominant Programme Group ( DPG) 18, and for each student receiving Extended Learning Support ( ELS) from college funds. At FE level, student activity is weighted according to the 'dominant programme' of the course of study, and these weightings are divided across 18 groups. Students within the DPG 18 category attract an additional weighting of 1.8, whilst students within the ELS category attract an additional weighting of 1.5.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Individual Support

At Higher Education level, the Disabled Students Allowance ( DSA) provides additional support towards the costs of study for individual students who, by virtue of a disability, incur additional expenditure as a result of attending college or university. The DSA comprises three allowances:

• A basic allowance, to help meet the costs of general expenditure, for example, tapes, Braille paper, and other small items of equipment. The maximum amount payable for this allowance is £1,565 per year (2005-06 figure).
• A special equipment allowance, for the purchase of major items of equipment, such as a laptop computer, or portable loop. The maximum amount payable for this allowance is £4,680 to cover the duration of the student's course (2005-06 figure).
• An allowance for non medical personal help, to help with the costs of, for example, British Sign Language ( BSL) interpreters, or note takers. The maximum amount payable for this allowance is £11,840 per year (2005-06 figure).

Help with travel costs may also be available through the DSA for students who incur additional transport costs as a result of their disability. Students apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland ( SAAS) for this non means tested support.

Institutional Support

The Scottish Funding Council provides funding to all Higher Education institutions through the main teaching grant, and also provides Disability Premium Funding ( DSP) to HE institutions to support widening access for students with disability-related additional needs. The amount of funding each institution receives is calculated on a formula basis, using the number of students at the institution in receipt of DSA as a base. The DSP allocation is not ring-fenced.

ENGLAND AND WALES

FURTHER EDUCATION

Individual Support

There are no specific funds dedicated to the support of FE students with disability-related additional needs in England and Wales, however, students with disabilities are a priority group for support from the Learner Support Funds. The Learning and Skills Council ( LSC) provides Learner Support Funds to students to help them meet the costs of FE level study, including the costs of transport, books and equipment, childcare provision and residential charges. Other priority groups for support from these Funds include students who are leaving care, probationers, and students who reach the age of 19 during their course, thereby losing their access to benefits.

Students with disability-related additional needs are also a priority group for access to Home to School Transport. This scheme aims to ensure that no student should have to drop out of education because the public transport system is inadequate, or because they cannot afford the costs of transport. The Home to School Transport scheme is managed by Local Education Authorities ( LEAs).

Disabled students may also be eligible to receive an Education Maintenance Allowance ( EMA). EMAs are targeted at young people from low-income households, and provide a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30, to enable students to continue their education.

Institutional Support

Institutional funding is provided to colleges to enable them to meet the extra provision costs for learners with disability-related additional needs in the form of Additional Learning Support ( ALS). The Learning and Skills Council ( LSC) provides ALS to institutions to help with the costs of providing direct learning support necessary to meet students' learning needs, such as additional teaching, specialist staff, speech therapy, physiotherapy, personal counselling and transport.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Individual Support

In England, students with disability-related additional needs studying at HE level may be eligible to receive a non-means tested Disabled Students Allowance ( DSA). Like the Scottish DSA, the English DSA comprises 3 allowances: an allowance for the purchase of specialist equipment, an allowance for non-medical personal help, and a general allowance. All three allowances are paid at the same rates as in Scotland, but English and Welsh students may also be eligible to receive a separate, additional allowance to cover travel costs. The DSA is pro-rated for students who elect to study part-time, however, as in Scotland, the student must be studying a minimum of 50% of an equivalent full-time course in order to receive DSA.

Students in England and Wales must apply for their DSA through their Local Education Authority ( LEA).

Institutional Support

The Department for Education and Skills ( DfES) has provided capital funding to HE institutions for learning, teaching and IT since academic year 1998-99. This funding is not specifically targeted at students with disability-related additional needs, however, in some years, part of this funding was ear-marked for projects to improve access for disabled students.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England ( HEFCE) also allocate annual funding to institutions in recognition of the extra costs of recruiting and supporting students from disadvantaged and non-traditional backgrounds, and students with disabilities.

HEFCE have allocated £12million this academic year to institutions for the support of disabled students, calculated pro rata to 2005-06 weighted full-time equivalents. HEFCE assign each institution to one of four weighting bands according to the proportion of their students who receive a DSA, based on data gathered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA) and the LSC.

NORTHERN IRELAND

FURTHER EDUCATION

Individual Support

Like England and Wales, there are no specific funds dedicated to the support of FE students with disability-related additional needs in Northern Ireland. However, students with disabilities are a priority group for support from the Learner Support Funds. A student applies to their institution for an award from these Funds to help with the costs of FE level study.

Disabled students may also be eligible to receive an Education Maintenance Allowance ( EMA). EMAs are targeted at young people from low-income households, and provide a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30 to enable students to continue their education.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Individual Support

In Northern Ireland, students with disability-related additional needs may be eligible to receive a Disabled Students Allowance ( DSA), which is non means tested. The Northern Irish DSA (like the DSA in Scotland and in England and Wales) comprises 3 allowances: an allowance for specialist equipment (a one-off payment to cover the entire period of the student's course), a general allowance (which is paid annually), and an allowance for non medical personal help (which is also paid annually). The amounts paid for each allowance are the same as in Scotland and in England and Wales in academic year 2005-06.

The DSA in Northern Ireland is pro-rated for students who elect to study part-time, however the student must be studying a minimum of 50% of a full-time equivalent course in order to be eligible to receive DSA.

Students apply to their local Education and Library Board for their DSA, however this support is paid directly from the Learning and Skills Council to the student, or the supplier of the student's services or equipment.

NEW ZEALAND

Individual Support

Student support In New Zealand is administered by the Ministry of Social Development, and is delivered through the benefits system. Eligible students can receive a student loan to help with the costs of fees, as well as course costs and living costs. Eligible students can also receive a Student Allowance, a weekly payment to help with living costs associated with full-time study. Students who are entitled to receive a Student Allowance may also be able to receive Accommodation Benefit to help towards rent costs. Some students may also be entitled to receive an Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship allowance, a weekly payment to help students to cover their living costs during study breaks. In order to qualify for this allowance, a student must be actively looking for work, and should be registered with 'Student Job Search'.

Students with disabilities may also be entitled to receive the Disability Allowance, which is paid to all eligible people in New Zealand with disabilities or medical conditions which are likely to last at least 6 months. The allowance can help with the costs of ongoing visits to doctors or hospitals, medicines, extra clothing and travel. The amount of Disability Allowance a person receives depends on their costs, and is income-assessed. This allowance is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Students with disabilities may also be eligible to receive an award from the Workbridge service. Workbridge is an employment service contracted by the New Zealand government's Department of Work and Income to deliver work-focused services and support funding to help with additional costs directly related to a person's disability when entering education, training or employment. Eligible students can receive a Training Support award from Workbridge, which will help to pay the costs of employing a support worker, access to a training course, and transport costs to attend education or training. The Training Support Award will also help towards the costs of special equipment which is not available through the education or training provider. This support is not means-tested, but payment levels are based on individual need. The funding limit for awards from these funds is $15,600 per person.

Institutional Support

Each institution in New Zealand receives a Special Supplementary Grant for Tertiary Students With Disabilities. The amount each institution receives is based on the number of all full-time and equivalent full-time students enrolled at each institution, and the allowance paid per capita is $32.18. Institutional Disability Offices administer this funding, and use it to provide services and equipment for disabled students, such as signers, scribes, computers and specialist software.

DENMARK

UPPER SECONDARY & EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Individual Support

Danish students aged over 18 and following a general or vocational upper secondary course, or a programme of Education and Training will be eligible to receive means tested grants from the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme ( SU), administered by the Danish Ministry of Education.

Students with disabilities who choose to study on an upper secondary course or a programme of Education and Training may be entitled to receive Special Pedagogical Support. Students apply to their college for this support, and the school will then contact the Danish State Education Grant and Loan Scheme Agency to request funding to meet the student's additional needs, for example to provide technical aids or additional teaching support. In addition, colleges and college staff are expected to adapt their teaching methods in order to take account of the needs of students who receive Special Pedagogical Support.

The Danish government also maintains a number of support schemes designed to support students with special needs who have completed an upper secondary course or Education and Training programme in their transition from education to work. Some schemes offer certain preferences to students with special needs working within the public sector, e.g. guaranteed interviews, whilst other schemes provide financial support to employers who choose to employ a person with additional needs, should the person's working abilities or hours be less than that of their co-workers.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Individual Support

Danish students enrolled in a course of Higher Education are entitled to receive a package of support from the Danish Ministry of Education, which includes free tuition, as well as student grants and supplementary state loans. Two thirds of a student's support for course costs and living costs comes from monthly government grants, while the remaining third is made up by a student loan. In some situations, for example illness, pregnancy and maternity/paternity leave, students can be eligible to receive additional monthly grants.

Students with a disability studying at Higher Education level can also apply to their institution for Special Pedagogical Support. The institution is responsible for identifying the student's needs and for administering the support to the student, however, this support is provided by the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme Agency. In order to receive this support at Higher Education level, a person must be able to provide evidence that they are an active student, for example, through regular attendance at classes and passing exams.

Students may also be eligible to receive additional support and advice from their local social services department in obtaining special housing and aids for daily life. Social Services may also be able to arrange transport for students to get from their home to university.

UPPER SECONDARY & EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES, HIGHER EDUCATION

Institutional Funding

In addition to providing free tuition and student grants to all students on Upper Secondary courses, Education and Training programmes and Higher Education courses, the Danish Ministry of Education also provides Special Pedagogical Support to students with disability-related additional needs through the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme Agency.

In addition, the Danish government operates the Danish Standards Association, which sets rules and regulations for physical accessibility standards in Danish public buildings, including schools, colleges and universities. The Standards Association works to ensure that all new-builds comply with set accessibility regulations, and that, as far as possible, renovation and alteration of older buildings is also carried out in compliance with these regulations. The Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman is entitled to inspect buildings to gather information on their levels of accessibility and, if necessary, request improvements.

SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Young people and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities have free access to Special Needs Education for Adults in order to learn independent living skills, and to learn about the technical assistance and equipment which may be available to them for use in everyday life. This training is structured in the form of long and short-term courses, and varies in accordance with the student's individual needs.

The aim of the course is to develop the student's skills for independent living, and to enhance their interpersonal skills through education and in some cases, employment. Courses are carried out at county special schools and communication centres, and many students go on to further education or employment after completing the course.

CANADA

Individual Support

Student support is administered by both the Canadian Government and State Governments in the form of grants and bursaries to students with disabilities.

Two grants are administered by the Canadian Government. Firstly, the Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities, which offers support to students studying at postsecondary institutions. Students can receive a grant in the amount of $2000 or the student's assessed financial need, whichever is the lowest amount. This grant can be used to cover education costs such as tuition, books, and supplies and also living costs. To be eligible for this funding students must have a permanent disability, and must qualify and apply for a student loan.

The second grant administered by Canadian Government is the Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities. This is a non repayable grant of up to $8000.

When applying for a grant, students are required to provide proof of their disability, which can include one of the following: medical certificate, report or assessment (e.g. learning disability assessment) completed by a qualified practitioner or documentation providing receipt of federal or provincial disability assistance.

The province of Ontario provides a Bursary for Students with Disabilities ( BSWD) (up to $2000) along with the Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities (up to $8000). These are non repayable grants, paid to full and part time students for disability related services and equipment needed to participate in postsecondary education.

To be eligible to receive this support, students must meet the residency criteria, have a permanent disability and have additional education-related expenses which result from the disability and are not covered by another agency. Students with a temporary disability will only be eligible for the BSWD funding.

Some of the education expenses which can be funded by the BSWD and/or Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities are as follows: Tutoring services, readers, notetakers, interpreters, attendant care for studies, tape recorders, vision / learning aids, hearing amplifiers, learning disability assessments, computers and software, counselling, specialised chairs.

Areas where these grants and bursaries are not able to cover the funding for are: services already provided by the institution i.e. approved disability accommodation, expenses that are provided by other sources of funding i.e. accessibility fund and income support.

Within the college sector, the College Committee on Disability Issues ( CCDI) give students information on other avenues of support in which they might apply to for extra assistance. These are independent scholarships provided to students wishing to student in postsecondary education and have a registered disability. Examples of these courses are as follows:

• Terry Fox Humanitarian Awards ($2500 - $4000) to help with study in amateur sport, health and community services.
• Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf Scholarship (($500 - $1000) - to help the profound hearing and impaired to enrol on a postsecondary programme

Institutional Support

Once a student with additional needs has been accepted onto a course within a College or University, they can access non financial additional support from the Disability Support Offices ( DSO). Prior to accessing any additional support students must provide evidence of their disability, similar to that when access grants. Additional support offered to the students can be in the form of the following:

• Reading materials in alternative formats
• Referrals for adaptive technology and equipment
• Special examination arrangements and modifications
• Specialised tutoring
• Course extensions
• Information on financial aid.
• Diagnostic assessments - through referral to appropriate body.
• Access to computers and other adaptive devices (when feasible).

Specific Support for Students with Disabilities- An International Comparison