Martin Dobson, Parliamentary Candidate for Liverpool Riverside has pledged to support the NUS #DegreesofDiscrimination campaign In an event held at Liverpool Guild of Students on Friday 6th June, Martin pledged that he would not support cuts to Disabled Students’ Allowance.
The Coalition Government has recently announced a series of cuts into vital support that disabled students need to enable their study. This is part of a long line of measures towards students, making Universities the place of the privileged few.
Martin says “Disabled people have worked hard for many years to be able to take part in normal activities the same as everyone else. Cutting these grants is a short-sighted cruel measure. Small grants like these are a really important way for people to gain qualifications that will enable them them to break out of the cycle of dependancy and poverty and give people a chance to live the same sort of worthwhile independent life as most other people” At present disabled students can receive funding:
- of up to £5,161 for specialist equipment
- up to £20,520 for non-medical helpers
- £1,724 for general costs.
Under the proposed cuts DSA would no longer cover:
- standard computers, warranties and insurances on computers,
- non-specialist non-medical help,
- additional costs of accommodation from Higher Education Institutions or
- other consumable items
To find out more about the NUS’ campaign, click here and please click here to view Liverpool Guild of Students’ blog post on the topic.