§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives are being pursued by his Department to encourage disabled people to apply for university courses. [134908]
§ Mr. WicksThe Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is committed to helping institutions to improve and integrate provision for students with disabilities in higher education. The council aims to increase the number of students participating in HE, to improve provision for them, to facilitate the dissemination of good practice and to increase institutional collaboration to ensure that resources are used effectively.
Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs), which help remove barriers to participation, are non-repayable grants available to students in higher education to cover the 499W additional course-related costs they incur because of their disability. Since 1998 the means test for DSAs has been abolished and the maximum amount available for non-medical helpers has more that doubled to £10,505. This year, we have extended eligibility for DSAs to part-time and postgraduate students.