Information for Students and Needs Assesors

Information for Students and Needs Assesors

Information for new students starting in September 2016 and for DSA Study Needs Assessors

Information for Students and Needs Assesors

Introduction

The department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been reviewing the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) scheme and a number of changes have already been implemented for academic year 2015-16. Some aspects of the DSA will be cut further and it is likely that there will be new criteria for students accessing DSA funds in future. These changes will mainly be implemented during the 2016-17 academic year. The latest details of the proposed changes can be found on the UK government website:

DSA Consultation Response

Continuing students already claiming Disabled Students’ Allowances will remain on their current system of support for 2016-17. Currently, these changes only affect those students applying from England and NHS Bursaries. For students applying from Scotland, Wales and for specific courses there are no changes at the current time.

For the 15-16 academic year, the main changewas that students assessed as requiring a computer to help them study effectively wouldbe asked to contribute the first £200 of the computer’s cost – broadly equivalent to the cost of a basic computer. Additional items such as course specific software, printers and consumables would also not be automatically providedand there was a reduction to the DSA book allowance. A quick guide and short film can be found on the Student Finance England website: DSA Quick Guide (Film+Guide)

It is recommended that you contact Disability Support to discuss any further questions that you might have about the DSA and the services provided by the University of Chester.

How is the University of Chester responding to the changes for 2016-17?

Financial Support and Advice
To support students who may have difficulty funding the £200 contribution to digital or any other type of course equipment, the University offers the following support, advice and facilities:
Financial Support and Information – please see Student Welfare’s intranet pages for further details or access our webpage Student Welfare Money Matters. For details of other possible grants and bursaries available, including the Financial Assistance Fund, please go to the Other potential funding sources page.
Support to apply for external funding to assist you with the cost (charities, grants & scholarships) – please contact Disability Support to discuss.
Digital Equipment

To help students who arrive at the University with no digital equipment, the University offers the following options:

  • Computers and Laptops - The University has a partnership with John Smith’s bookshop where a student can purchase all types of digital and course equipment. For more information contact John Smith's Bookshop
  • Loan equipment such as laptops and digital recorders -These are held in Seaborne library, please note that stocks are limited. These laptops have some assistive software available such as ‘Mindview’, ‘Read&Write Gold’ and ‘My Study Bar’. Each item can be booked out for 6 weeks and can be renewed as long as the item has not been reserved by someone else. Further software is available on request, ask the Seaborne helpdesk for more details.
  • On campus computer and other facilities - For open access resources available to all, please look at the open access resources page. All University computers have ‘Mindview’ and ‘Read&Write Gold’ loaded onto them. The PCs also have ‘My Study Bar’. Students can use the printers in the open access areas to print onto coloured paper.
  • Assistive Technologist – For advice on what software or technology can be used for a specific requirement, an appointment can be made with the Assistive Technologist via the Helpdesk or Disability Support.

If you have been recommended assistive software to support your studies, you may wish to ask your needs assessor to provide this on a memory stick. This will enable you to use the software on any of the University’s computers.

Software

Students at the University of Chester are entitled to a copy of Microsoft Office for the duration of their course. Once you have a University log-inyou can go to the link on our intranet page to download the Microsoft Office apps onto your laptop or computer.

Library Services

In light of reductions to the DSA book allowance, the University offers the following to support you to access books and reading materials:

  • Accessible formats are available if you have a visual impairment and for those who are not physically able to manipulate books. Where course materials/extracts from books are provided by the academic department, the team will scan extracts and will request entire books through RNIB Bookshare (formally Load2Learn) and the publishers. You should first contact Disability Support who will refer you to Digitisation Services where agreed.
  • Induction sessions available with subject librarians to learn how to access databases, books and information in the library and online. Inductions are typically organized by each individual faculty at the beginning of each course. Also, the Disability Supportteam can make a recommendation for a student to have a one to one induction course with our Specific Needs Librarian in how to use the library and support with research.
  • The library offers a ‘pre-order and collection’ service forstudents who have difficulty finding or accessing books due to a disability.
  • There are bookable rooms in the Library, which can be booked at the helpdesk of each library or by contacting the main Helpdesk.
  • At John Smith’s Bookshop, there is a scheme called ‘Aspire books’ which canprovide recommended coursetextbooks to certain students. For more information contact John Smith's Bookshop.
Inclusion Plans

Students who wish to access support from Disability Support will be required to provide evidence of theirdisability, eitherin the form of medical or diagnostic evidence such as an educational psychologists/suitably qualified teacher’s report.You will have the opportunity to discuss appropriate reasonable adjustments with staff in Disability Support. With your permission, anInclusion Plan will be created and shared with other key staff in the University. If you have a placement element to yourcourse (for example Teaching, Nursing and Midwifery etc)you are advised to complete a Reasonable Adjustment Placement Plan with your Department to agree reasonable adjustments in the placement setting.Adjustments can include:

  • Support for formal learning, such as:
  • Reading material / lecture outlines / hand-outs in advance
  • Advance warning or requirements to read out loud in class
  • Permission to record lectures
  • Support for examinations / in class tests / assessments, such as:
  • Extra time
  • Individual or separate shared room
  • Use of a computer
  • Use of specialist software or equipment
  • Library requirements, such as:
  • Extra time for library loans
  • One to one library induction course
  • Books / Journals in accessible formats
  • Adjustments to the environment, such as:
  • Classes to be held in accessible (level access) rooms
  • The University has many campuses distributed across Cheshire. Most buildings havestep-free access, although some are heritage or listed so may have limited access. We advise you to contact Disability Support as soon as possible so that any potential access issues can be addressed.
Other Services for Disabled Students

The University also offers a range of other facilities and provisions, to meet the needs of disabled students:

  • If you suspect that you may have a Specific Learning Difference such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, Disability Support may arrange an assessment with an Educational Psychologist for a subsidised price. This assessment would take place on campus.
  • Onsite Academic Skills Tutors(based at Parkgate and Warrington provide specialist information, advice and guidance around specific learning differences such as dyslexia. Support to apply for funding towards the student contribution of a diagnostic assessment (means tested).
  • Independent onsite Needs Assessment centre.(based at Parkgate and Warrington).
  • Prioritised accommodation on the basis of disability related needs.
  • Support applying for a parking permit on disability related grounds.
  • Dedicated Disability Support team to provide advice and guidance in the department.
  • Arrange reasonable adjustments for placements.
  • Disability Link Tutors for each department.
Additional services for All Students

The University provides the following additional services to support all students:

  • Student Skills Development
  • Accommodation Advice
  • Student Welfare
  • Student Counselling
  • Chaplaincy
  • Childcare
  • Careers and Employability
  • Student's Union
  • International Students

Information for DSA Needs Assessors

Non-Medical Helper Provision

The University of Chester provides some in-house Non-Medical Help (NMH) support, specifically study skills support for those students with a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD). Please be advised that this is limited provision. Further study skills support is typically recommended through DSA.

The NMH provision is co-ordinated by a dedicated team member of Disability Support.

See DSA QAG website for further details

Contact Details

For any queries or to request further information, students and DSA Needs Assessors should contact Disability Support:

Disability Service:

Email:

Phone: (01244) 511059

Address: Disability Support, Room CBK101, Binks Building (floor 1), Student Support and Guidance

University of Chester, Parkgate Road Campus, Chester, CH1 4BJ

Non-Medical Helper Service:

Email:

Phone: (01244) 511059

Address: Disability Support, Room CBK101, Binks Building (floor 1), Student Support and Guidance

University of Chester, Parkgate Road Campus, Chester, CH1 4BJ

Disability Services Manager: Heather Blundell

Email:

Phone: (01244) 511059

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