Disabled Students (Hansard, 15 November 1989)

§ Mr. Wigley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will increase the disabled student equipment award.

Mr. Jackson
The disabled student allowance maximum within the mandatory award—which is not confined to equipment—has been substantially increased in recent years, and stands at £765 for 1989–90. My right hon. Friend will consider its level when he comes to review mandatory award rates for 1990–91 in the light of student needs and available resources.

§ Mr. Wigley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met representatives of the Students with Disabilities Bureau; and what was discussed.

Mr. Jackson
My right hon. Friend has not met representatives of the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities (SKILL). Officials in my Department, however, hold frequent meetings with representatives of the bureau.

§ Mr. Wigley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department will undertake a survey to discover how much is spent by visually impaired further education and higher education students on(a) equipment, (b) training on usage of equipment, (c) cost of human assistance and (d) production and storage costs of materials in Braille, large print and tape.

Mr. Jackson
My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so, but will keep the matter under review.

§ Mr. Ashley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total amount spent on the disabled students' allowance.

Mr. Jackson
In 1987–88 local education authorities in England and Wales assessed disabled students allowances totalling some £158,000 within mandatory student awards.

§ Mr. Ashley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of disabled students receive the disabled students' allowance.

Mr. Jackson
All disabled students in receipt of mandatory awards who by reason of disability incur additional expenditure in attending their courses are eligible for this allowance. Information is not collected centrally on disabled students not in receipt of mandatory awards.