Herts Access Centre

Herts Access Centre can complete Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) Needs Assessments for a student who has been given a letter (DSA1 eligibility letter) from the Funding Body.

Herts Access Centre is:

• Part of the National Network of Assessment Centres (NNAC).
• A fully accredited Disabled Students’ Allowances Assessment centre in accordance with the current Quality Assurance Framework.

WHAT IS THE DSA?

The DSA is a fund that helps students with disabilities to pay for the extra costs of study that are the result of that disability.

WHO CAN GET A DSA?

Students with a long term physical or medical difficulty, VI or HI, Autistic Spectrum Condition, a mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) such as Dyslexia, ADHD or Dyspraxia, which is long term and has a significant impact on everyday activities are described as ‘Disabled’ in the Equality Act 2010 and they could get a Disabled Students’ Allowance, subject to providing evidence of their difficulties.

HOW CAN I GET A DSA?

Students need to:

• Apply to Student Finance England (SFE)
• Provide evidence of the disability with their application
• Attend a Study Needs Assessment once Student Finance England have given the go-ahead

DSA FUNDING

Our assessment fee is £650+VAT, which your funding body covers via your DSA.  We only charge a single assessment fee that covers all work required for the duration of your course of study.  This includes:

• Any reviews or updates to your DSA that you may need throughout your studies.
• Liaison with funding bodies, equipment suppliers, HEIs or other stakeholders for the purpose of managing these additional recommendations.

However, if you present with an additional diagnosis; move on to PGCE or postgraduate research;  have a break of 2 years or more in your studies or if it is more than 5 years since your last DSA assessment, you will be eligible for a funded review of your needs which we can carry out.  All reviews must be authorised in writing by SFE.

Assessments may be conducted at an alternative outreach venue where there is a disability need if approved by the funding body. In ‘exceptional circumstances’, a home assessment may be conducted, if approved by the funding body.

ACCESSIBILITY

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You can find accessibility support here:

• GOV.UK – The government’s disability website want to help you find out about your rights as a disabled person, and to learn more about the legislation that exists to help establish fully comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people in the UK.
• Web Accessibility Initiative – The WAI works with a variety of organisations to develop strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make the web accessible.