At UCSE we have a dedicated Disability Services team, within our wider UCSE Student Support team, that can offer information, advice and guidance about the different types of support available at UCSE for students with disabilities.
We are primarily located on the 3rd floor of the Forum in Southend, but will at times be located at our other campuses.
We can also be contacted via the UCSE Student Support team email HESupport@southessex.ac.uk
What do we mean by disability?
The Equality Act 2010 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995 define this as below:
'A person has a disability if: they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.'
Examples of disabilities are:
- Long-term medical conditions
- Mental health conditions
- Specific learning difficulties, e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD
- Autism
- Hearing or visual impairments
What can we help with?
- Sharing your disability information with your course tutors
- Understanding and requesting reasonable adjustments (including in-class, assignments and exams)
- Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA): please see further information below
- Diagnostic assessments for Dyslexia and Dyspraxia
- Screenings for ADHD
- Study skills strategies
- Assistive technology recommendations
- Disability advocacy
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
DSA is a non-repayable grant for students with a disability, funded by Student Finance England. The aim of the grant is to help students with the cost of any extra essential equipment or support they may need as a direct result of their disability
- Examples of DSA support include: assistive technology, study skills support, mentoring support, printing allowance, ergonomic equipment, support towards travel costs (directly related to disability)
To be eligible for DSA, a student needs to have a diagnosed disability with supporting evidence
- Examples of evidence include: report/letter from a GP or consultant, a diagnostic assessment report, a post-16 EHCP
There are two ways to apply for DSA:
- Online: via your Student Finance account (Apply online for student finance - GOV.UK)
Or
- Postal: using the physical forms (Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability: How to apply - GOV.UK)
Key next steps:
- Arrange a meeting with the Disability Services team to discuss your disability and what reasonable adjustments you may require
- Apply for DSA as early as possible if you have a diagnosed disability and supporting evidence as the application process can take up to 14 weeks to complete
- If you are currently in Further Education (Sixth Form/College) and have an EHCP, make sure you attend your Annual Review; as the education aspect of your EHCP ceases when entering Higher Education.
If you require any further information:
- Please email us: HESupport@southessex.ac.uk
- Further information about the definition of disability: Equality Act 2010 - GOV.UK
- Further information about DSA: Disabled Students' Allowance - GOV.UK
DSA stands for Disabled Students’ Allowance.
This is a non-repayable grant for students who have a disability, specific learning difficulty, mental health condition or long-term illness that affects their ability to study.
The aim of the grant is to help students with the cost of any extra essential equipment or support they may need as a direct result of their disability/condition.
Students will need to meet the criteria for DSA, including providing the required evidence:
- A report or letter from a consultant or doctor is needed for a medical or mental health condition.
- A diagnostic assessment report is needed for a specific learning difficulty.
- A post-16 EHCP can also be used as evidence (please be aware the education aspect of an EHCP ceases upon entry into higher education)
For more information about eligibility, please see www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa/eligibility
DSA can pay for:
- Hardware technology, e.g. laptop, printer/scanner, noise cancelling headphones, microphone.
- Assistive technology, e.g. audio reader software, mind-mapping software, dictation software.
- Specialist non-medical helpers. e.g. study skills tutor, mentor, notetaker, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
- Support towards travel costs (due to your disability).
- Support towards printing costs.
- Ergonomic equipment.
Students will not receive any money directly via DSA. This is paid directly to the companies providing the designated equipment or support required by the student.
The equipment and support a student needs will be determined during a Needs Assessment. This is an opportunity to meet with a Needs Assessor who will demonstrate different technology and go through all the different support options in relation to the student’s disability.
If it is decided that the student requires a new laptop, the student will be expected to contribute £200 towards this. Contact your HE Student Services team to see if this can be reimbursed.
The type of support and how much a student receives depends on their individual needs rather than their household income.
The University and DSA do not provide or fund support with daily living tasks, therefore you will need to think carefully about any non-academic, disability-related support requirements you may have, e.g. assistance with shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry or personal care. Funding for care support is via your own Social Services. If you need this type of support you will need to liaise with your existing Social Services department to put support in place. This can take time and early contact with them around your needs is essential.
You are unable to access DSA support from Student Finance England if you are an EU or International student. If you have a disability please contact our team to discuss your individual needs and any reasonable adjustments you may need.
To apply for DSA, students will need to log on to their Student Finance account. There will be an option to apply and upload supporting evidence.
Alternatively there are paper forms available at https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa/how-to-claim
If you are applying to UCSE and require support with your DSA application, please contact the UCSE Disability Support Team HESupport@southessex.ac.uk