- Will I get all the equipment I need?
- How long before I get any recommended equipment / help?
- Does it matter if I haven't had my Needs Assessment prior to starting my course?
- Can I receive equipment before my course begins?
- What happens to the equipment when my course ends?
- If I have any more queries relating to the Assessment who do I contact?
Will I get all the equipment I need?
Many students feel that computer technology would be useful to them. However, there are particular restrictions applying to these and both Glyndŵr Assessment Centre and your funding body have to follow strict guidelines from the Government (Department for Education and Skills) which sets out the circumstances in which they may be recommended. All recommendations made must be directly associated with a difficulty you have as a consequence of your disability. In some cases this means that we may be unable to recommend all the resources you feel would be useful. However, if this is the case, many funding bodies will allow you to add your own funds to the money they are able to make available to allow you to purchase additional or alternative equipment. For example; it may not have been possible to recommend a laptop computer and so if a desktop computer is recommended and your funding body has approved this, but you would still prefer a laptop your Local Authority or Funding Body may allow you to pay the difference to the supplier to allow you to have a laptop.
How long before I get any recommended equipment / help?
The length of time between a DSA Assessment and receiving any recommended equipment / help can vary. It often depends on the time of year. Non-medical help (dyslexia support, physical assistance, etc.) is often arranged immediately, as this can be put in place by your institution as soon as the report arrives.
Does it matter if I haven't had my Needs Assessment prior to starting my course?
This really depends on the nature and severity of your disability. If you are visually impaired, hearing impaired or have severe mobility difficulties then it is recommended that you get your assessment done before your course starts. The recommendations are likely to be important from day one. For some other disabilities the time scales are less urgent. The equipment may not be essential to initial teaching sessions.
Don't delay things longer than you have to. However, it can sometimes help an Assessor to make recommendations if you already have some experience of your course.
Can I receive equipment before my course begins?
Possibly. Once your funding body has established that you are eligible for the Disabled Student’s Allowance it can pay for items of special equipment recommended in your DSA assessment report shortly before the start of your course so that you may use them from the very beginning of your studies. However, your funding body will ask for evidence that you have been accepted on your course before they will consider doing so.
What happens to the equipment when my course ends?
All equipment bought with DSA’s is, and will stay, your property. You may decide to offer the equipment either to your university or college or your funding body for other students to use. Or you can keep the equipment if you are intending to go onto a further course of study (for example, a postgraduate course).What if I have a complaint? If you have a complaint about any aspect of your assessment please raise it with the Assessment Centre as soon as possible.
If I have any more queries relating to the Assessment who do I contact?
If, after reading this, you have any queries about the Assessment, please contact Pat Howell on 01978 293594 or email assessmentcentre@glyndwr.ac.uk
