NB: This is general guidance. The assessor will explain any point that is unclear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this page:

General advice

What you need to do before the assessment?

Assessment process check list

GENERAL ADVICE:

The Needs Assessment is an informal discussion in which you will have an opportunity to explore equipment and strategies that might help you in your studies. There are no tests involved. The following advice will help to identify the most appropriate solutions.

Dyslexia: If you have dyslexia, dyspraxia or a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) please bring a copy of your Educational Psychologist's report or other diagnostic report with you or make sure you post it to us AT LEAST 7 DAYS before the assessment.

Bring your spectacles / glasses: If you have been prescribed spectacles or glasses, whether for reading or other use, please bring these with you.

Hearing loss: If you have hearing aids, please bring them with you. If you have a profound or severe hearing loss and would normally rely on an Interpreter you MUST let us know when booking your assessment. We do not have an Interpreter available at all times but we can arrange for an Interpreter to attend if given notice OR we can arrange to pay for interpreting services if you bring your own Interpreter. Please contact us for further information.

Your assessment will be individual to you and your course. To avoid disappointment please ignore what you might have been told by other students, their circumstances could be very different from yours. Sometimes students are given a list of 'what to ask for'. The assessor will not be bound by this list even if it was included in an Educational Psychologist's report or doctor's letter. However, if you have previously tried some equipment or strategies please tell the assessor whether this proved helpful or not.

Please remember that the Disabled Students' Allowances can only be used to cover expenditure and equipment that arise as a direct consequence of the effects of a disability on your studies. It cannot be used to cover costs that might be incurred by all students, such as standard course textbooks, basic stationery and reasonable travel by private vehicle or public transport.

Laptops: can only be recommended if there is a specific reason related to your disability, not for reasons of convenience or preference, such as: lack of space, regular travel or preferring to work in the library.

A book allowance: is not a standard DSA allowance for all students. All students are expected to fund essential course texts.

Funds for photocopying or EXTRA textbooks can usually only be recommended if you have difficulty using the university library for books that students are not expected to purchase.

A photocopying allowance may be available if a disability causes a student to take longer to absorb information from printed sources or if a student has difficulty accessing print.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT:

• Please read the information we send you in the post
• Please complete the forms we send you and post them to us – in the envelope we also send you
• Please send us a copy of the ‘evidence’ provided with your application for the DSA e.g. your dyslexia report or doctor’s letter
• Please make sure you tell us if you change your mobile number, we may need to contact you
• Please check your mobile for TEXT and voicemail messages for a few days before the assessment
• Please make a list of your previous study and qualifications to bring with you – a CV is a good format to use
• Please make sure you have credit on your mobile and have your mobile with you and switched on in case we need to contact you
• Please check the directions and make sure you know how to find us.
• Please call the day before if you have any questions.

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ACCESSCENTRAL: Assessment process check list

DSA Application   Student submits an application for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) to Funding Body.   Student receives letter received from Funding Body confirming eligibility to attend a DSA Assessment of Need. Booking Enquiry Student contacts AccessCentral to make a provisional appointment.   AccessCentral send out Pre-Assessment Form to Student and agree a date for the assessment. Booking Confirmation Student posts the following documentation to AccessCentral at least 7 working days before appointment date:     evidence relating to disability / specific learning difficulty (eg medical letter, Educational Psychologist’s report etc)     letter from Funding Body confirming eligibility to attend a DSA Needs Assessment     completed Pre-Assessment Form   AccessCentral contact Student to confirm appointment, provide other details and send map and directions once required documents above are received Assessment Takes Place We suggest you allow about 2 hours for the appointment for time to discuss your needs. There is no testing involved Draft Report AccessCentral sends draft report (where requested) to Student within 10 working days of the assessment for approval   Student reads through report and sends any comments / amendments to AccessCentral within 10 working days from the date the draft report was posted Final Report AccessCentral sends copy of final report to Student, Funding Body and Disability / Learning Support Adviser at University / College Funding Confirmation Student receives letter from Funding Body detailing whether or not they will fund the recommended support from the DSA Putting in Place Support Student follows the instructions given by Funding Body and are recommended to contact their Disability / Learning Support Adviser for guidance and to help make arrangements Change of Circumstances Student contacts Disability / Learning Support Adviser if circumstances alter which may affect the level of support required   AccessCentral may provide a further assessment or minor alteration to existing recommendations, if requested by the Funding Body For further information, please contact AccessCentral To download a copy of the assessment process checklist in Microsoft Word please click here.

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