Help for Higher Education Students
About to apply for University?
For help with your application go to www.ucas.com . On the Home page there is a menu on the left hand side which offers these titles:
- Course Search
- Apply
- Track Progress
- Where to study
If you choose any of the first three titles, it takes you to a page where there is a video all about the topic and filling in those forms. The explanation is made in a good clear voice, but you can choose to have subtitles if you prefer.
Good luck with your application and we hope you get a place on the course you want!
University Disability Officers offer specialist advice about all aspects of support. Contact Student Services for an appointment.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). Dyslexic students in Higher Education, who have been assessed as dyslexic, can apply to Student Finance England (SFE) or their Local Education Authority (LEA) for a DSA.
Students should contact the SFE or LEA for Form DSA1.
You will need post 16 evidence of dyslexia from a qualified chartered educational psychologist or a specialist SpLD teacher with suitable qualifications.
Most funding authorities now require students to complete a DSA1 form in order to apply for this Disabled Student Allowance. This is available from the website, www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
The quickest way to apply is for the student to download the form, complete it and send it to their funding authority with a copy of an up to date psychology report. Funding authorities will send out a form but often take 28 days to do so.
If you are eligible for a DSA, you can go to an ACCESS Centre, which can assess the needs of disabled students, including ICT. Wessex Needs Assessment Centre can offer more advice: Tel 02380 597233, email: wessexdsa@soton.ac.uk
The DSA can provide a once only equipment system, such as a PC and recorder, hardware and appropriate software. An annual non-medical helper’s allowance, which can include funding for ICT training, study skills support and an annual general allowance for books etc may be recommended. See Bridging the Gap, below, for full details of funding.
Useful websites and publications.
British Dyslexia Association www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Hampshire Dyslexia Association www.hantsda.org.uk
The DIUS Leaflet Bridging The Gap – A Guide To Disabled Students Allowance (DSAs) in Higher Education gives details of the allowances and can be downloaded from the DfES website. http://www.direct.gov.uk
Tel: 0800 328 8988
Skill. The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. Skill is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of impairment in post-16 education, training and employment. Free Helpline Tel: 0800 328 5050. www.skill.org.uk
Dyspraxia: Information on dyspraxia at http://dyscovery.newport.ac.uk/dyscovery/index.aspx
and DANDA http://www.danda.org.uk/
Coloured Rulers and Overlays: Crossbow Education http://www.crossboweducation.com/
Sue McKenna.
Consultant Dyslexia Tutor
Tel: 0787 6277507
susanmckenna@live.com
