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DSA - laptop reimbursement

hi there! Would really appreciate your help :smile:

I have my DSA assessment next month and on the form it says to bring a receipt of your laptop if you'd like to seek reimbursement. My question is whether they would still consider a partial reimbursement for my laptop considering it was bought in July (with university in mind) or would this not be a recent enough purchase?

Thanks

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What if your assessment doesn't recommend a laptop.
Reply 2
Avatar for veggie4life
veggie4life
OP
17
Original post by hypocriticaljap
What if your assessment doesn't recommend a laptop.


but if it does...
BUMP
Reply 4
Avatar for NJones
NJones
6
Original post by veggie4life
hi there! Would really appreciate your help :smile:

I have my DSA assessment next month and on the form it says to bring a receipt of your laptop if you'd like to seek reimbursement. My question is whether they would still consider a partial reimbursement for my laptop considering it was bought in July (with university in mind) or would this not be a recent enough purchase?

Thanks


SFE will not agree to reimburse any costs of equipment purchased prior to the issue of the DSA2 notification letter, recommended or not. As an assessor I have been told such reimbursements will not be agreed. I suggest you contact your assessor to discuss this.
Original post by NJones
SFE will not agree to reimburse any costs of equipment purchased prior to the issue of the DSA2 notification letter, recommended or not. As an assessor I have been told such reimbursements will not be agreed. I suggest you contact your assessor to discuss this.


this post is 3 years old
Reply 6
Avatar for NJones
NJones
6
Original post by jelly1000
this post is 3 years old


I can see that thanks, but californicationn bumped it 6 days ago for a reason?
Original post by NJones
SFE will not agree to reimburse any costs of equipment purchased prior to the issue of the DSA2 notification letter, recommended or not. As an assessor I have been told such reimbursements will not be agreed. I suggest you contact your assessor to discuss this.


Thank you for replying. Are laptops only given to those who study specialized computer courses
Reply 8
Avatar for NJones
NJones
6
Original post by californicationn
Thank you for replying. Are laptops only given to those who study specialized computer courses


No, currently, if a student is recommended assistive software and has no way of accessing it, a standard laptop (DSA WKH as it's referred to) is recommended. If a student is studying Mac based course, and can't get to the IT labs regularly (physical mobility perhaps) Mac's can be recommended, or for Windows based Graphics/ CAD courses a graphics spec can be recommended.

From Sept 2015, however, there are proposals for this to change.
Original post by NJones
No, currently, if a student is recommended assistive software and has no way of accessing it, a standard laptop (DSA WKH as it's referred to) is recommended. If a student is studying Mac based course, and can't get to the IT labs regularly (physical mobility perhaps) Mac's can be recommended, or for Windows based Graphics/ CAD courses a graphics spec can be recommended.

From Sept 2015, however, there are proposals for this to change.


What is the standard laptop that is recommended, if you happen to know?
Reply 10
Avatar for NJones
NJones
6
Original post by Delphinus
What is the standard laptop that is recommended, if you happen to know?


Its not a make/ model but a specification known as DSA-WKH or workhorse.
Original post by NJones
No, currently, if a student is recommended assistive software and has no way of accessing it, a standard laptop (DSA WKH as it's referred to) is recommended. If a student is studying Mac based course, and can't get to the IT labs regularly (physical mobility perhaps) Mac's can be recommended, or for Windows based Graphics/ CAD courses a graphics spec can be recommended.

From Sept 2015, however, there are proposals for this to change.


What kind of change? :smile:
Reply 12
Avatar for NJones
NJones
6
Original post by Wick3d
What kind of change? :smile:


Students are expected to have their own laptop and DSA will only fund such equipment if the student requires a higher spec machine related to their needs, e.g. a mobility impaired student who can't get to their course to use specialist software. Allegedly the DSA equipment fund is being cut from £50 million to £2.5 million. It's been in all the press.
Original post by NJones
Students are expected to have their own laptop and DSA will only fund such equipment if the student requires a higher spec machine related to their needs, e.g. a mobility impaired student who can't get to their course to use specialist software. Allegedly the DSA equipment fund is being cut from £50 million to £2.5 million. It's been in all the press.


Ouch. I'm guessing they are trying to shift more responsibility regarding DSA towards the universities as well.
Reply 14
Avatar for ElizS
ElizS
1
They offered me a HP or something like that (wasn't amazing, but I guess their point was it gets the job done), I still opted for a Mac Book Pro for £500 though :biggrin:
Original post by ElizS
They offered me a HP or something like that (wasn't amazing, but I guess their point was it gets the job done), I still opted for a Mac Book Pro for £500 though :biggrin:


So did they pay for part of it?
Also has anyone been offered a laptop bc of mental health problems?
Reply 16
Avatar for NJones
NJones
6
You can pay the extra amount for the mac, and any associated additional insurance/ warranty/ software costs that MUST be included. DSA will pay for what is on the quote, then the supplier will provide you with the additional cost prior to placing an order. DSA WKH laptops tend to be around £300, and mac's start around £800 for a 13 inch or £1200 for a 15 inch so expect to pay an additional £500- £900.
Reply 17
Avatar for NJones
NJones
6
Original post by Wick3d
Ouch. I'm guessing they are trying to shift more responsibility regarding DSA towards the universities as well.


Yes, same way Access to Work went a few years ago.
Reply 18
Avatar for ElizS
ElizS
1
Original post by Christyjanexx
So did they pay for part of it?
Also has anyone been offered a laptop bc of mental health problems?


Yeah, basically. They refer you to a provider and they know you're on DSA so will offer you what you've been recommended. But if you want something better, you can get it at a discounted price.
I think what they do is use the money they would pay the the other laptop and put it towards whatever you want (Mac, for example), then you pay the difference.


I've heard of people getting laptops for Dyslexia.
I had my DSA assessment last week, the lady was lovely and she's putting forward lots of recommendations in my report, including a laptop. The only problem is that currently it's taking 6-8 weeks for students to get the equipment, and my course starts in 4. I need a laptop from the beginning, so do you think they'd reimburse me if I bought one now? Obviously only the cost of the laptop they provide, but I was going to upgrade to a mac anyway...

Sorry if this doesn't make much sense!

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