Once you've started your Studies
Medical evidence
Putting support in place for you can take a long time so it is very important that you contact the Learner Development Service as soon as you start at university. If you have complex/ multiple needs, it is essential that you contact us as soon as you have accepted a place.
If you have dyslexia we will need to see an Educational Psychologist’s report (carried out after the age of 16) which confirms that you have dyslexia. If you only have a pre-16 report, or if you think you may have dyslexia but have never had a formal assessment, please contact the Learner Development Service for advice as soon as possible.
If you are disabled or have a health condition we will need a letter from a qualified medical professional (GP, Consultant or specialist nurse) which gives:
- The name of your disability or health condition; when it was diagnosed/ identified; and how long it is likely to last.
- The main difficulties that you experience e.g. mobility issues or concentration difficulties.
- Any side effects of any medication you are taking.
- An indication of how your studies may be affected.
If you are Deaf or hard of hearing we need an audiology report or a doctor’s letter confirming your hearing loss.
What happens next?
Stage one assessment interview
Once we have got your medical evidence/ educational psychology report, we can book you in for a ‘stage 1 assessment interview’. This is not a test, so there is no need to worry. Basically, the appointment will last for around an hour. During it, the adviser will ask you about different aspects of your disability/ dyslexia and find out more about your course so that we can work out the right type of support for you. This enables us to produce your personal learning plan (PLP).
If you are applying for Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) we will send an application form off to your funding body, to request permission to carry out a ‘stage 2 assessment’
Disabled Students Allowances (Application forms – Useful Links).
Stage two assessment interview
The ‘stage 2 assessment interview’ will be carried out by an organisation called ‘Access Summit which is an organisation set up to support disabled students at universities in Manchester and Salford. The interview will concentrate on determining the appropriate technical and human support (e.g. study skills tutors) which can be funded through your DSA. The Learner Development Service will advise you how to arrange this appointment.
