Changes to DSA Policy for 2015/16

The Government is determined that anyone with the aspiration and ability can go onto higher education regardless of any disability; it is important that as wide a consensus as possible is built on the role of Disabled Students’ Allowances. The Government has been consulting on the draft Disabled Students’ Allowances guidance for 2015/16. There are concerns that some institutions are not yet in a position to deliver a fully accessible service to students, and that this may result in a negative impact for some students. In addition, the Government would prefer to move forward in a consensual manner as far as is reasonably possible.

It has now been decided that the proposed changes set out in the draft guidance concerning accommodation, peripherals and consumables - that would have required additional reasonable adjustments from institutions - should be deferred until 2016/17 and that these changes would only be made once continued consultation with the sector and stakeholders has taken place to ensure the changes are introduced effectively.

The Government has been in regular contact with stakeholders, including higher education institutions, regarding these measures. Deferring these proposed changes until 2016/17 will help give institutions the time to review the services they offer to disabled students and make appropriate improvements to meet their needs.

The annual guidance for study needs assessors, setting out the approach to managing applications for Disabled Students’ Allowances for 2015/16, will be published in due course.

Any comments and enquiries should be sent to the dedicated BIS mailbox at disabledstudentsallowances@bis.gsi.gov.uk