North Herts Access Centre

North Hertfordshire College, Monkswood Way Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1LA Tel: 01462 443082 / 01462 424362 Fax: 01462 443054 Opening times: Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm

North Herts Access Centre

How to find us

Welcome to the North Herts Access Centre

North Herts Access Centre is based at North Hertfordshire College. The centre is part of the National Network of Access Centres (NNAC) and is approved by the Disabled Students Allowance Quality Assurance Group (DSA-QAG) to complete Disabled Students Allowance assessments for students in Higher Education.

Stevenage

What is the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)?

The DSA helps students with disabilities to pay for the extra costs of study that are the result of that disability.

How can I get a DSA?

Students need to apply to Student Finance England (SFE): Tick the box on the main application for student finance and SFE will send a short version of the DSA Application Form (DSASL). Apply for a DSA Application Form (DSA1F) Students will need to provide evidence of their disability with their application. These forms can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/sfforms2012 North Herts Access Centre can help students with the forms.

What happens after I apply for a DSA?

After applying for a DSA, students will receive a letter from SFE to confirm that their evidence has been accepted. Once accepted, students will be advised on booking a Study Needs Assessment.

Who can get a DSA?

Students with a long term physical or medical difficulty, a mental health condition or a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), such as Dyslexia are described as Disabled and they can apply for a DSA.

How can I book a Study Needs Assessment?

Students need to ensure that they have received written approval to be assessed for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). This approval has to be obtained from the body that will fund the DSA. It is likely to be Student Finance England or NHS Student Bursaries. Please phone the Access Centre Administrator to make an appointment. 01462 424362. Any special requirements for an assessment should be discussed at this stage.

Students can email dsa@nhc.ac.uk if they cannot phone. North Herts Access Centre will reply within one working day with times that are available. North Herts Access Centre aims to see students within 10 to 15 working days. Please be advised that sometimes students can be seen sooner, but meeting specific dates or times may lead to a longer wait. Please contact the centre for further information.

When is North Herts Access Centre open?

8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Assessments can take place outside of those hours by arrangement. The centre is open Saturday mornings for appointments only.

What can a DSA provide?

A DSA can help pay for a non-medical helper (up to 20,520 a year on a full-time course), specialist equipment (up to 5,161 for the whole course), travel (reasonable additional travel costs as compared to the non-Disabled student) and some other course-related costs (up to 1,724 a year). These costs apply to the 2012-13 academic year.

What is a Study Needs Assessment?

A Study Needs Assessment is a meeting with a DSA Needs Assessor to discuss the students disability, experiences of study, requirements of the course and the difficulties this will present. The areas of research, reading, planning, writing, time management, communication and access to learning and assessments will all be discussed. The assessor will consider the students difficulties and work with the student to find solutions through equipment, aid and other adjustments to create a level playing field amongst other students. The assessor will demonstrate different equipment as appropriate:

Video magnifier; Radio aid system for the hearing impaired; Adjustable chair and electronic adjustable table; Back support cushion / Back friend; Specialist keyboards and mice; Coloured overlays.

The assessor can demonstrate assistive technology that will help: Mind mapping software (Inspiration, MindView, MindManager); Text-To-Speech software (Texthelp Read and Write Gold, ClaroReadPlus); Speech-To-Text software (DragonNaturallySpeaking) and headsets; Notetaking Support software (AudioNotetaker); Digital voice/Video recording devices. Spelling support (electronic spellchecker, Global Autocorrect)

Study Skills Support; Practical Assistant; IT training. The Study Needs Assessment takes approximately two hours.

What happens after a Study Needs Assessment?

The assessor will write a full DSA Needs Assessment Report and include three independent quotes for any equipment recommended. This report is sent to the funding body within ten working days usually. The report is sent to the student at the same time as it is sent to the funding body, unless the student has asked to have a draft report. Students are asked whether they would like the report to go to the Disability Office at University.

The assessor will discuss whether any NonMedical Helpers are necessary for their study: Note taker in lectures; Mentor support; Library assistant;

What happens after the DSA Needs Assessment Report is sent off?
The student will receive an entitlement letter from the funding body. The letter will indicate what has been agreed. If equipment is agreed, the funding body will inform the student who will supply it and ask the student to contact the Equipment Supplier to order the equipment and to arrange delivery.

Will the DSA pay for all the software I will use on my course?
The DSA is not there to provide for any course-related equipment or software that will be used by all students. It will only pay for specialist assistive technology software.

Will the DSA pay for the personal care I need?

No. The DSA is there to pay for anything that a student would use in study and not things used for daily living. Medical support, Social care and living allowances are not covered by the DSA.

Will the DSA pay for my choice of computer?

The DSA will only pay for equipment necessary to support the students needs in study. It may be possible for a student to pay to upgrade the computer, as long as the new choice still meets the students needs.

What happens if my needs change?

Students can contact North Herts Access Centre at any time during their course to discuss changing needs. The Centre Manager may advise the student of the need to contact Student Finance England for an agreement to fund a top-up assessment.

How can I receive feedback about my assessment?

All students are invited to receive feedback about their assessment in two ways: DSA-QAG who oversee the process nationally and also to the assessment centre directly.

What if my Funding Body is not Student Finance England?

DSAs can take place for students funded by: Student Finance Wales www.studentfinancewales.co.uk Student Finance Northern Ireland www. studentfinanceni.co.uk Student Awards Agency for Scotland www.saas.gov.uk NHS www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students The Open University www.open.ac.uk/ financialsupport/apply

How can I give feedback about my assesment?

North Herts Access Centre enjoys lots of positive feedback from satisfied students. Any student who is unhappy with the assessment is invited to contact the Access Centre directly so that any issues can be resolved. All students are given a copy of the Complaints Policy at the time of booking an appointment.

How can I contact Student Finance England?

Students can go to www.direct.gov.uk/ studentfinance at any time or phone 0845 300 5090.