Assistiveitsolutions Anmeldelser 

I have mentoring through another company, thankfully, as my experience with Assistive Solutions did not make me feel very good about myself. I felt rushed and belittled. I am dreading the next sessions I have and really don't want to continue, but I feel I can't say anything. Although I was doing what was asked it was almost as if it wasn't quick enough. Along with my ADHD and struggles to concentrate I really feel as though this wasn't taken into account. I felt stupid and this impacted the rest of my day. I thought this was supposed to support those who are neurodivergent, but it felt like I was just a hindrance. I was rushed through the portal to sign to say the lesson went ahead as planned and felt obliged to give 5 stars on there as my screen was constantly being viewed, I was told to scroll down to the bottom as soon as it loaded, completely bypassing the rating system. There was an unhelpful comment in regard to the number of emails I have, and I felt a complete lack of privacy during the session. These sessions now fill me with dread.

Horrible experience with Assistive Solutions Ltd been waiting 3 months for a laptop repair with no communication at all. Just keep getting put on hold for an hour to then be cut off and have to start again. Told manager will call me back over 10 times and no response. No response to official complaint, No update on repair. Really not great for a disability friendly company. Been without my much needed software for ages now! if you can, Please avoid this being your Disability equipment supplier as they really just don't care 😔.

I tried to rectify and made a query about the low audio on my laptop . I'm deaf as explained and the technicians were not considerate and I felt humiliated . I explained that the audio was low almost inaudible,whilst listening to online classes . The technician signed into my laptop at his end and put the sound up on YouTube video whilst I was speaking, I couldn't hear myself . He didn't respect the fact I wanted to get my point across, or my genuinity about the sound on the laptop, he made me felt as if I was lying.I wouldn't introduce my enemy to use this company , they haven't got the students interests at heart, only the amount of orders they receive from Dsa. I wish I don't have no more encounter with this company.

If you're assigned these guys, RUN. Email DSA and get a new supplier ASAP. They're a SCAM.
They need to be held accountable and removed from DSA's supplier list as they're taking advantage of disabled students by WITHOLDING VITAL SOFTWARE and effectively forcing them to pay out of pocket.

DSA WILL NOT reimburse these costs (I tried asking) because they are paying Assistive Solutions to give the students access to the software, which Assistive Solutions is not doing. I wonder where all that money is going then? Maybe lining the inside of some fat cat bosses' pockets while disabled students are being DISCRIMINATED AGAINST by not having access to reasonable adjustments they are ENTITLED TO and which are recommended by a government grant? When I complain to Assistive Solutions, I will ask them that with an FOI request.

It's not only discriminatory, but disgusting considering there's a cost of living crisis impacting people including students and, on average, it costs £550 more a month to be disabled.

Short version of my story: I was not given access to my DSA funded software until I asked my disability advisor to chase them up, 33 working days in (I have it in writing in an email that my equipment would be organised to be delivered within 10 working days). Probably would not have got a response had my Disability Advisor not asked if I had my software when discussing another issue with me. Still missing some of the software I'm entitled to and it's been 63 working days so far.
By the time my foundation year ends in a 3 weeks I would've spent over £100 on software which should have been free. A lot of money which I'm unable to recover from DSA, or from this scam company unless I go to the small claims court.

Spoke to the person running my assistive technology training sessions over Zoom, and he said I'm not the first person he's spoken to that this has happened to who had Assistive Solutions as a 'supplier', if they can be called that. How many more people has this happened to that we don't know about?

Long version of my story:

Despite having it *in writing* on an order acknowledgement document/email on 06/12/22 that they would contact me within 10 working days to arrange delivery, took 33 working days (from 06/12/22 - 23/01/23) to get a response, only magically getting an email confirming times to organise delivery date when my disability advisor chased it up. They blatantly lied to him, saying they'd already sent the email and would re send it. They had not sent it at all; I had been checking my inbox and spam every day and would have seen it.

Finally got most of my software by the 27th Jan & my one physical item by the 30th, but was missing 2 invites for subscription software. Emailed 31/01/23 asking them to resend those emails, 26 days later no response. Because of their gross incompetence I have had to pay £82.08 for software which DSA cannot reimburse me for as its not an agreed reimbursement, and DSA are PAYING THEM to supply the software, which they never did until now and still aren't! By the time I finish my foundation year, I will have paid over £100. In a cost of living crisis, where students are struggling with the basics, them having to shoulder costs because this fraudulent company can't be bothered to give them the recommended equipment, is digusting.

I got the email saying it would take 10 working days for organise delivery on the 6th of December 2022. It is now the 24th of March 2023 and my foundation year ends thr week of the 7th April.
I emailed on the 31st of January to ask about 2 missing email invites for software. Heard absolutely nothing. Still haven't. Still haven't got one piece of software. Only seem to get a response when I bring it up to my disability advisor (but I feel awkward having to burden him to chase these frauds up). Very odd they ignore the very people they're supposed to be working with.
So glad I decided to upgrade my laptop on the open market last minute, otherwise I would not have had a working computer for the entirety of my foundation year. Also glad I got my mentor from another supplier, otherwise it would have been an absolute disaster.

Genuinely considering small claims court to get what I'm owed plus emotional distress, as this has been an anxiety inducing NIGHTMARE and I just WANT THE SOFTWARE I'M ENTITLED TO. What the hell are they doing with the money DSA is paying them if they're not using it to supply disabled students with the software you're contractually obliged to? Probably lining some fat cat CEO's pocket.

I still have not had any contact from these disgusting charlatans 3 months later.
I'm serioulsy considering going I public with my story to the media and calling them out for their shocking incompetency, as they are putting disabled students at even more of a disadvantage.

I ordered a DSA upgrade and was told I should have the equipment within ten working days, but usually sooner. DSA regulations state that suppliers are obligated to deliver all entitled equipment within 10 working days.

It is now the 15th working day after the order (three weeks) and I still do not have the order.

Assistive Solutions have been completely useless in advising me. I have been told that the delays are due to the stock availability of the upgrade.

My questions to them is:

If you can’t deliver within your obligated timeframe, then why do you list low stock items on your upgrades info? Or why do you even bother taking DSA orders at all?

This is not acceptable, nor is it professional. You are supposed to deliver the equipment within 10 working days so that students have their assistive equipment for when they need it and move to different cities. Many students will suffer due to your delays.

Get my equipment delivered ASAP, or I want my
money back!