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About DSA |
What is DSA?
DSA is Government funded allowance provided to ensure UK students with disabilities in Higher Education have the same opportunity to succeed in their studies as students without disabilities. DSA is administered by local authorities...
Who is eligible for DSA?
DSA is available to disabled students who are eligible for Student Support in Higher Education.
What kind of support can I get under the DSA?
DSA support can include the use of specialist equipment/software, non medical helper support, such as note taking or mentoring also travel costs. What you will be offered will depend on your individual course related needs.
What disabilities are covered by the DSA scheme?
They include Specific Learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyspraxia,) epilepsy, mental health, anxiety, chronic fatigue, mobility difficulties, visual or hearing impairments, attention deficit disorder, a spinal injury, cerebral palsy, Asperger’s syndrome, MS, etc. and many others.
What are DSA funding bodies?
National Health Service, Open University and Local Authorities.
Applying for DSA
How do I apply for DSA?
If you are a new student, you must submit a PN1 form. If you are a continuing student in higher education you should use a PR1 form. On these forms you need to specify that DSA is required.
You also need to supply independent evidence of your disability such as a letter from doctor, consultant or diagnostic report from educational psychologist.
Then you need to undergo a needs assessment.
Once all evidence and reports are in place the local authority will then notify the student what level of support will be provided under the DSA scheme.
Where do I get the forms from to apply for DSA?
Both PN1 and PR1 forms can be downloaded from www.direct.gov.uk You can also obtain them at your local authority. In addition form PR1 is sent to continuing students every spring.
Why do I have to complete a form DSA1 when I have already submitted the main student finance application form?
DSA1 form is an additional form that needs to be completed to receive DSA. The form is used in different ways depending on the qualification each student studies.
This form gives the LA information that is not asked for on the PN or PR1 with regards to a student’s disability. For example in the case of a Postgraduate student this is the only form needed to process Postgraduate DSA only awards.
The most important part of the DSA1 form is the General Consent Section – this allows information to be shared and invoices to be paid to a third party on the student behalf.
How long does it take to apply for DSA?
It can be quite a complicated and lengthy process. It is, therefore, important that you apply early. You need to contact disability adviser at your university and your Local Authority who will guide you through the process.
Where do I submit the forms?
You need to apply to your Local Authority, i.e. where you are domiciled, or through the Disability Office at your university.
DSA Supporting Evidence
What evidence of my disability / learning difficulty do I need to provide?
You need to submit a letter from your doctor, consultant or educational psychologist.
An HEI (or other organization/website) computer 'screening' has indicated that I am dyslexic. Is this acceptable evidence?
No, you need to provide evidence such as a psychologist report.
Where can I get a psychological report completed for my dyslexia?
Talk to your Local Authority or Disability Office at the University they should be able to help.
Will the DSA cover the cost of a diagnostic report provided by a psychologist or suitably qualified person?
No - it is the student’s responsibility to provide the Local Authority with the evidence of disability.
I think that I might be dyslexic. What do I need to do?
You need to undergo a psychologist/diagnostic assessment. Your Learning Support Adviser or Disability Coordinator will help you arrange this assessment.
Assessment of Needs
What is a Needs Assessment?
It is a meeting with an assessor experienced in support and equipment for students with disabilities. The assessor will discuss your needs in meeting the demands of the course. As a result your assessor will produce a Needs Assessment Report with recommendations in relation to your specific situation.
Where can I go for my needs assessment?
Your local authority or NHS will refer you to an approved assessment centre in your area. See the list of AC registered with DSA-QAG. You can find this on the homepage of this website (Search Assessment Centres).
Who arranges my needs assessment?
After the Local Authority agrees your disability, you will be able to choose from the list of QAG registered Access Centres and organise your own assessment.
What happens after the assessment?
The assessor writes a report which, once you have read and agreed it, is sent to your funding body. If the funding body approves the assessor’s recommendations, they contact you to let you know how to proceed with getting the equipment and support recommended.
I have just had my assessment of needs, when do I get my equipment?
Your funding body needs to approve the assessment report, and then they will contact you confirming what level of support you will be provided. Depending on LA’s procedures, they may order the equipment directly, or tell the student to contact the supplier; some tell the student to wait for a call from supplier, some pay the money to student and ask them to send a receipt, some tell the student to purchase the equipment and send the receipt back for reimbursement. Under normal circumstance a DSA-QAG registered supplier aims to supply a student within 14 working days from receipt of an official order.
Who should I approach to provide the non-medical help that has been recommended for me?
The University, the assessor who undertook the needs assessment and with the students permission will send a copy of the report to the Disability Officer at your University.
Whom do I contact if I feel I need more support i.e.; non medical help?
The assessment centre who undertook you needs assessment - who will contact the funding body.
I have been granted an allowance for books that is not sufficient. How do I go about having it increased?
The assessment centre who undertook you needs assessment – who will contact the funding body.
Getting your equipment
How do I order my equipment?
Once your funding body approved the assessment report, and your needs are agreed to provide money for the equipment, they will also send information of which supplier to contact. You need to place your order with the supplier, agree a place and date and time for delivery of your equipment.
How do I place the order with the supplier?
If the supplier is to invoice the Local Authority or other Funding Body, the supplier will need a copy of the letter that the Funding Body sent to you confirming this. They may also need a copy of the quotation or quote reference number.
If you have been given the funding to pay the supplier directly, you will need to call them directly to arrange delivery and make payment in advance of the delivery.
Can I upgrade on the specification/equipment recommended in my needs assessment?
Yes, you can often pay the difference between what your assessor has recommended and a higher specification as long as it still meets the needs that it was recommended for. If in doubt, you may need permission from your local authority.
Do I have to purchase from the recommended supplier?
You will need to discuss this with your local authority. However, buying from a recognised DSA supplier means that your equipment is under warranty for the duration of your course as opposed to 1 year manufacturer’s warranty.
Can I buy my own equipment?
Possibly - but it is not normal practice, Local Authority will advise you to use a QAG registered supplier for a number of reasons – after care, warranty, software issues etc.
I bought my computer before I was diagnosed. Can I be reimbursed for the equipment?
Possibly – this is not normal practice but will depend on when and why you purchased your equipment. The access centre will advise your funding body. .
Do I get to keep this equipment when my course is finished?
The equipment is purchased for you by your local authority and is then your property to keep, unless it was only loaned to you for a specific period of time.
I am in my final year and I have been offered rental equipment and I want to keep it for next year for PGC course?
Providing you can supply the local authority evidence of your intention/acceptance on to the PGC course, you may be offered the option to purchase the equipment. Otherwise the student needs to come to a private arrangement with the supplier on the uplift of the equipment.
Equipment Delivery and Insurance
How long will it take for my equipment to get to me?
Once the supplier receives the order you will be sent a confirmation letter which advises you to call them for a delivery date. From this point we aim to deliver your computer within 10 working days.
Where can I have my equipment delivered?
Wherever your home is when at the university: either at your parents’, at the university campus or private lodgings.
