Preparing support for your study

» What is classed as a disability?

A disability could be:

• a physical disability, regarding mobility, hearing, etc
• a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia
• an autistic spectrum disorder
• a mental health issue such as depression
• a long term health condition such as epilepsy

» What support can be provided by the Student Wellbeing Service?

• All students who have disclosed and provided evidence of a disability are entitled to a Support Plan.
• Your Support Plan will be written for you and your individual requirements.
• A Support Plan informs lecturers and other university staff of your individual support requirements.
• To receive a Support Plan you will need to provide evidence of your disability, usually a doctor's letter or a Post 16 dyslexia assessment.
• Common features on Support Plans include extra time in exams, longer loan times for Library books, lecture handouts available in advance, etc... though these can change from student to student.
• Your Support Plan will be valid for the full duration of your course, and you can request updates to your plan if your needs change whilst studying.
• We also have some equipment available for students to have on a short term loan (e.g. laptops with specialist software and digital voice recorders), that can be used whilst awaiting your Disabled Students' Allowance funding to come through.

» How can I set up my support at university?

The recommended method of setting up your support as early as possible is to come to our Get Ahead event, which is held at the Buxton Campus the week before undergraduate enrolment each year (mid - September).

If you can not come to Get Ahead, then please come and see a Student Adviser once you have enrolled on your course, or as near to the start of your course as possible.

This will allow you an opportunity to meet with a Student Adviser, set up any formal assessment that might be needed, and discuss with you the Disabled Students' Allowance funding that you may be entitled to.

If you would like any further information on the Get Ahead event please contact a Student Adviser on:

t: 01332 59 4414

e:disabilityadviser@derby.ac.uk

» Can I get support in lectures and exams?

Support of this type is paid for through the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA).

If you need this type of support, you should apply for DSA as early as possible before coming to university. We can assist you with the DSA application process. Please contact us for further information.

Once you have Disabled Students' Allowance funding in place, we will then work to provide you with the physical support you might need during your time with us. This may include support as recommended in your formal assessment, such as:

• Notetakers
• Sign language interpreters
• Personal assistants
• Education support workers, mentors and dyslexia support tutors who may provide one to one support on a regular basis
• Reader and/or scribe for exam support

If you know you have a specific requirement that needs immediate levels of support to be in place, please let us know as early as possible. For example, this could be sign language interpreters, electronic note-takers, etc.

This will enable us to work with you to put the necessary support in place that is required.

» What is Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) is government funding that can assist in meeting any extra costs students may incur as a result of a disability, ongoing health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.

DSA is not means tested, it is paid on top of the student finance package and does not need to be paid back. You will need to apply to Student Finance, as you did for your Student Loan.

» How do I apply for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)?

We can offer advice and guidance on how to apply for DSA. We can do this by supporting and advising you on:

• How to fill in the form
• What evidence you will need to support your application (e.g. a letter from your doctor, or a dyslexia assessment)
• The length of time it may take for your application to be processed

If you have dyslexia or similar, to apply for DSA you will need a report from a full dyslexia assessment, completed after your 16^th birthday. We can support you to arrange an assessment if you need this, for which there is a charge of £50.

For further information you can refer to the key steps in applying for your studies pdf.

Please do contact us if you have any questions about the process.

» Do I have to disclose my disability?

We encourage students to disclose any disability they have, or suspect they may have. Our student advisers can then work with you to look at what support you may be entitled to, and support you through the process.