When a student has been approved for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding
What should you be aware of?
You should be aware of students who have received a letter confirming that they are eligible for DSA (an individualised support package funded by the Disabled Students’ Allowances).
What should you do?
The student’s DSA eligibility letter invites the student to book a Study Needs Assessment at an Assessment Centre.
Students can book a Study Needs Assessment at the Access Centre on campus. Bookings can be made in person, by phone or by email.
North London Regional Access Centre (NLRAC)
Middlesex University
Lower Ground Floor, Sheppard Library
The Burroughs, Hendon, London, NW4 4BT
Telephone: 020 8411 5366/07792 663197 Email: adminac@mdx.ac.uk Website: www.mdx.ac.uk/access-centre
The Access Centre (NLRAC) is open weekdays 9am-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
(Please see campus map on p75)
What happens next?
At the Study Needs Assessment the student will discuss with a Needs Assessor what type of disability-related support they may be eligible for. The Needs Assessor will write a report recommending any appropriate support for the student. The funding body will then consider the Needs Assessor’s recommendations and will write to the student confirming their approved DSA funded support package. The letter will contain very clear instructions of how to access the support. If students need assistance at any stage of this process, they can ask their Disability Advisor for help.
The DSA application process takes between two and four months in total and follows these stages:
1. The student sends an application form and medical evidence to DSA
2. The student receives a Letter of Eligibility (DSA1) from DSA and is invited to book a Study Needs Assessment
3. The student attends a Study Needs Assessment in a registered Access Centre
4. The student receives a Study Needs Assessment Report detailing the Needs Assessor’s support recommendations
5. The student receives a Letter of Entitlement (DSA2) outlining the support that they have been awarded
If a student needs any guidance during this process they can go to a Disability Support Service drop-in session between 1pm and 2pm, Monday to Friday, in Sunny Hill House.
“All staff were great and very supporting and helpful. The recommended equipment and software will help a lot with my PhD.”
“Everyone at the Access Centre has been helpful and very compassionate. Every time I have stopped by or called, time was made to see me and they have always given me clear and helpful advice.”
“It was easy to book an appointment and I received very clear and helpful information about the assessment.”
“Everyone is very supportive and I got everything emailed to me which is useful. The assessor took her time and care to ensure that I got all the help I needed. I now know what the next steps are.”
“The assistive technology sessions were very effective and I am now using ReadWriteGold, Mind-mapping software and Dragon to assist me on my PGCE course.”
“The assistive technology trainer was easy to work with. He was always on time and replied promptly to my queries. He is obviously an expert in the field.”