The British Assistive Technology Association (BATA), supported by third-sector organisations including the British Dyslexia Association, appointed Whitehouse Communications to build and deliver a public affairs campaign in response to government changes to the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The changes were introduced without adequate consultation with the higher education sector and relied on inaccurate information that significantly underestimated the impact on disabled students. Whitehouse developed a clear policy narrative, engaged ministers and senior civil servants at the Department for Education, and built cross-party parliamentary support – securing backing from Select Committee Chairs and opposition higher education spokespeople, and engaging more than fifteen MPs and peers through parliamentary drop-in events.
The campaign has exposed government inaccuracies and brought to light the detrimental impact these changes will have on disabled students, with momentum continuing to build across Parliament.
The challenge
The government introduced changes to the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) without adequate consultation with the higher education sector. In doing so, it relied on inaccurate information that significantly underestimated the potential negative impact on disabled students who depend on assistive technology to study.
BATA, the leading not-for-profit organisation representing assistive technology across education and work, engaged Whitehouse Communications to raise awareness of the issue among policymakers and to influence government decision-making before further, more damaging changes could be made.
Our approach
Working closely with BATA and coalition partners, Whitehouse Communications developed and delivered an integrated public affairs programme designed to bring sector expertise directly into government and parliamentary decision-making.
The campaign focused on:
- Developing a clear policy narrative that translated complex, technical issues into accessible briefings for parliamentarians.
- Engaging directly with the government, meeting ministers and senior civil servants across the Department for Education to present sector concerns first-hand.
- Building cross-party parliamentary support, securing backing from senior parliamentarians, including Select Committee Chairs and higher education spokespeople from major opposition parties.
- Hosting parliamentary drop-in events, engaging more than fifteen MPs and peers and generating wider awareness of the issue across Westminster.
The outcome
The campaign has successfully raised the profile of the DSA issue in Parliament and within government, and created strong, long-term supporters of BATA among parliamentarians.
As a result, the minister – who had repeatedly refused to meet with BATA – agreed to meet with the organisation to hear its concerns. Whitehouse has also gained the support of over 30 parliamentarians, all of whom have been active in pressing government and civil servants to explain their decision-making process.
