THE amount of extra cash given to support students with dyslexia has plummeted by £300 per applicant since the turn of the decade, new figures have revealed.
More than £3.8 million in grants, which are given out to help those with dyslexia in higher education purchase helpful equipment such as laptops or computer software, were approved in 2010-11.
However, the total dropped to around £3.25 million by last year, despite a slight rise in applications. Students at universities received £1,200 each on average in 2014-15, compared to £1,500 in 2010-11. Average funding for those at college with dyslexia, which can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling, dropped by a larger amount - from an average of £1,800 to £1,400 per person.
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The Scottish Liberal Democrats expressed concern at the findings, obtained at Holyrood. However, the Scottish Government insisted the drop was not a result of budget cuts. It said technological advances, potentially meaning equipment had become cheaper, and increased support services meant students needed less cash than they once did.
Tavish Scott, the LibDem MSP, said: "The hard fact is that dyslexic students who need extra support are likely to start the year hundreds of pounds worse off than would have been the case in previous years.
"On the SNP's watch we have seen student bursaries and grants cut and students forced to take out extra loans. If students need specialist support they should get it. Cutting grants will not help a single student with dyslexia achieve their potential. We need assurances that these reductions will not prevent people accessing the equipment they need to learn."
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Those with dyslexia in higher education can apply for a grant from Student Award Agency Scotland, and are required to provide an up-to-date Educational Psychologist’s assessment.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said there has been no cut in the overall Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) budget, the pot of cash with pays for the dyslexia awards and grants for people with other learning difficulties or disabilities. The money is designed to help with extra expenses incurred because someone is studying.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "The DSA is a demand-led budget and the amount available each year for students is based on their need. In recent years, under the Equality Act and with technological advances, universities and colleges have increased the support and services they provide for disabled students, therefore the requirement for DSA has lessened.
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"We continue to work closely with higher and further education bodies, as well as local authorities and organisations like Dyslexia Scotland, to ensure anyone with dyslexia receives appropriate support to get the most out of their learning."
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