Levels of funding for equipment

Three levels of support

Access Fund - Intended for capital works to improve access to and within a school building

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 LEA’s and schools are required to plan strategically to increase access to education at school for disabled pupils. This planning duty applies to access to premises, the curriculum and to written information in alternative formats. From April 2003 each school has had a statutory duty to have a written access plan. (For details see Accessible Schools: Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils) Training was provided for Headteachers at the end of 2002 in preparation for this duty. Once this plan is in place, Linda Wanbon Head of Islington’s Inclusion Support Service will be able to advise on the current criteria for schools to bid for this capital money.

Equipment for Inclusion

The SEN Section holds a small budget to support schools with specialist equipment and furniture. Principally this is to purchase equipment identified in a pupil’s Statement to enable access to a mainstream school or in support of a pupil’s transition from a special to a mainstream school. Schools may also request support from this budget for equipment identified in the school’s Access Plan. Requests should be made to the SEN Section detailing the work already undertaken, supporting evidence, where appropriate, from the schools Educational Psychologist, Occupational, Physiotherapist or Speech and Language therapist along with a copy of your School Access Plan.

From schools own delegated resources

Schools are now expected to provide reasonable adaptations to enable a pupil to access the school and the curriculum this may include services such as the Centre for Micro Assisted Communication’s (CENMAC) Assessment Service minor works and small items of furniture and equipment such as slope boards and AlphaSmart keyboards.