Lead Scotland response to consultation on DSA Reforms in England

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government, are proposing significant changes to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) in England. Under the proposed changes, the majority of disabled students would no longer be able to apply for DSA, a government funded grant, and instead would have to rely on Universities and Higher Education Institutions funding and providing various elements of support and equipment. One of the key rationales for the change is to ensure HEI’s are fulfilling their duties under the Equality Act by anticipating any changes or support required for disabled people in advance as well as making reasonable adjustments as required to aid accessibility to education. DSA would then only be available in exceptional circumstances or for very specialist equipment and support. Lead Scotland are concerned about the impact this could have on disabled English domiciled students studying at Scottish HEI’s. Click on the link to the right to read our response.