What is an assessment of need?

Your Funding Body (e.g. Local Authority /NHS etc.) will ask you to have a DSA assessment carried out so that your particular needs can be matched with those of your proposed course to ensure that you get the help that you will need.

The DSA assessment will identify the types of equipment and other support you will need, how much it will cost and where to get it from. It will also identify any training you might need to make best use of the equipment recommended, and detail any special examination arrangements. The cost of your DSA assessment will be paid from the Disabled Students' Allowance.

You should not arrange for a DSA assessment without first confirming with your funding body that they agree for you to do so.

How do I get assessed?

If you wish to be assessed you should, first of all, contact your local authority (LA) or funding body for permission to be assessed and for confirmation that they will cover the cost of the assessment. You will need to provide the LA or funding body with up-to-date evidence of your disability. This may include medical evidence or a report detailing any specific learning differences produced by an Educational Psychologist or appropriately qualified person. Your disability adviser will be able to help you and advise you of how to obtain the necessary evidence required.

How soon can I have an assessment done?

Once your Funding Body has established your eligibility for student support and you have provided supporting evidence of your disability or specific learning difficulty from an appropriate specialist, a DSA assessment can be arranged at Glyndŵr University Assessment Centre well before the start of term, and even before you have a confirmed place.

It is important that written confirmation has been received from your funding body that they approve your DSA application and agree to fund a DSA assessment at an assessment centre before an appointment can be arranged. To arrange an assessment, you can contact Glyndŵr University Assessment Centre by telephone, by email or in person.

You may be asked what type of disability you have (according to the categories UCAS use) and whether there is any additional information about your disability we should be aware of. This question is asked so that the assessment centre can ensure that the DSA assessor your appointment is with is most suited to meeting your needs.

When you contact us please have your diary ready so you can ensure you are available for the appointment we book for you. When we have agreed a convenient date and time for your assessment, we will send you written confirmation of your assessment appointment, together with a map and directions on how to find us, and some details on what to expect during your assessment.

How can I prepare for the appointment?

It will be helpful to both you and your assessor before you attend the appointment to take a little time to think about your course of study and the likely impact on you as an individual with needs. You can prepare for the assessment by finding out about the activities involved in the course you are/will be participating in, for example:

• How is the course delivered (eg lectures, seminars, labs)?
• How many teaching hours are there every week?
• How are you assessed (e.g. exams, coursework)?
• Do you need to use any particular software?
• Are students expected to use email and online resources?
• How much reading will you need to do?
• Do you need to go on a placement or undertake field trips?
• How might the workload change over the length of the course?

It is useful to think about how effective your previous study strategies were. Did you have help from family, friends or teachers - people who might not be able to help as much now? We will send you a course requirements form to complete when your appointment is confirmed. Also make sure that you know how to get to Glyndŵr University Assessment Centre (click on the 'How to Find Us' link) and arrange any personal assistance, transportation or communication support you might need during the visit.

What happens during the assessment?

Assessment sessions usually last from one and a half to three hours. The assessment is confidential and conducted in a relaxed and supportive environment by assessors with specialist experience of your disability or specific learning difficulty. The assessment is not a test but the opportunity for you to discuss your additional learning needs within the context of your studies.

You will have the opportunity to talk about your past experiences and any strategies you have developed to address your difficulties. Different support options will be explored, and between you, you will come to a conclusion about the study aids and strategies most appropriate to your needs.

Depending upon your individual support needs, these might include:

• A note-taker or scribe
• Computer equipment and software
• A recording device
• The services of an interpreter
• Additional photocopying costs
• A book allowance
• Extensions to library loans
• One-to-one Dyslexia support tuition
• A learning mentor

Towards the conclusion of a DSA assessment, the DSA assessor will review the discussions they have had with you during the assessment and summarise the proposed recommendations their DSA assessment report contains.

The DSA assessor will also discuss with you the next steps in the DSA application procedure. If you have any questions about the DSA assessment that has just taken place, this is a good opportunity for you to ask them. Your DSA assessor will do their best to ensure they are addressed.

What happens after my assessment?

After the assessment, the assessor will draft a report. We will send the draft report to you first to check that it reflects the outcome of your assessment and to provide you with an opportunity to comment and for any amendments to be made if appropriate. We aim to produce a draft within ten working days of your appointment - although it can take a little longer if very specialist equipment needs to be identified. Please keep in touch with us if you have any concerns.

If you have already started your course, explain to your disability adviser at your college or university that you have had an assessment of need, as they may be able to put some temporary support in place or provide you with the use of some loan equipment. When we receive your approval of the report we will then send it to your LA or funding body. They will process your application for support and decide whether they are going to support all of the recommendations in your report, or just some of them.

Once your funding body has reached a decision they will tell you in writing, and in detail, the recommendations they are able to approve. They will tell you which equipment suppliers and support providers you should use and the arrangements for payments that you must follow. With your permission, a copy will also be sent to disability support staff at your university or college to enable them to put your support into place.

When will I receive my equipment?

How long it takes for you to receive your equipment depends on your funding body. On average, you should know if the recommendations have been approved approximately four to six weeks after you have approved the report. Your funding body may order your equipment direct from the suppliers or you may receive funding so that you are able to purchase equipment direct.

It is important that you do not purchase any items until your funding body have confirmed that you should do so. We will be happy to act on your behalf to arrange a supplier to deliver your specialist technology to your address. If you have any difficulties at any stage of the process, we would be happy to help, so please get in touch.

We hope you will find your study needs assessment to be a pleasant and satisfying experience.