Petition Opposes England DSA Tech Cuts for 88,000 Disabled Students as Consultation Nears June 18
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
Petition Opposes England DSA Tech Cuts for 88,000 Disabled Students as Consultation Nears June 18
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 3
Summary
Nearly 10,000 people have signed a petition urging the government to drop plans to stop routine DSA funding for specialist assistive software in England.
The Department for Education says free mainstream tools now match much of that software’s function, with funded support still available only in exceptional circumstances.
BATA and student users say generic tools cannot replace individually assessed software for text-to-speech, speech-to-text, note-taking and planning, warning of wider attainment gaps, poorer mental health and more dropouts.
Disabled Students’ Allowance supported more than 88,000 students in 2023-24 at a cost of £203 million, making the proposed change significant for higher education access.
The consultation closes on June 18, with campaigners and assistive-tech firms pressing ministers to halt the plan and publish a full impact assessment.
As student disability numbers rise, will cutting specialist tech funding create higher long-term costs for the UK?
With no clear criteria for 'exceptional' cases, are disabled students facing educational inequality disguised as modernization?
DSA Funding Cuts Threaten Disabled Students: Why £203 Million in Specialist Tech Support Must Be Defended by June 18, 2026
Overview
The government has launched a consultation on changes to Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), proposing to cut funding for specialist assistive software and suggesting a shift toward free, generic tools. This move threatens vital support for disabled students in higher education, as DSA currently provides substantial financial help to thousands of students each year. The consultation is open until June 18, 2026, making immediate action essential. Engaging in this process is crucial to protect the unique and necessary support that specialist technology offers, ensuring disabled students are not left without the resources they need to succeed.