Hi Léonie, This is a highly specialist, not to say emotive subject, and preferably not one I would necessarily want to go into detailed discussion about publicly on this list. I'll be more than happy to have a private chat by telephone if you want to call me at the office on 01604 792777. However, as others here may have similar concerns, the extremely broad answer is that if the student has recognised disabilities of any kind, then they should be what is called "Statemented" by their local authority. This essentially is a summary of his or her disability, or disabilities, and what is required in an overall sense to see the student through the education system. It need not be set in stone, and covers many aspects from staffing support to equipment. If I'm not mistaken, 13 years of age is not "Higher", but "Secondary" education, so still under the Local Authority wing. In later years, post secondary, support may come under the DSA (Disabled Student Allowance) which is yet another matter. But as I said earlier, I'm very happy to chat privately when perhaps it's possible to be more specific about circumstances, and I can draw on my 30 years or more of working with such cases. Suffice to say that I suspect he may have a good case if the circumstances are right, and the issue is approached correctly. Let's talk. George Bell Managing Director Techno-Vision Systems Ltd 76 Bunting Road Ind. Est. NORTHAMPTON, NN2 6EE, UK. Tel: (01604) 792777 Fax: (01604) 792726 mailto:george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx web: http://www.techno-vision.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Léonie Watson Sent: 28 May 2008 20:06 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Financial assistance for school students. Evening, I'd be grateful if anyone could shed any light on whether there are grants available for school students with disabilities. Specifically, a 13 year old boy who is looking to buy a laptop that will enable him to remain in mainstream school and access information written up to the digital wipeboards that his school uses. I know it's possible to obtain a grant as a higher education student, but I don't know anything about school students. Is the school perhaps obliged to help, or the LEA? Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks. Regards, Léonie. -- http://www.tink.co.uk/ ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq