Higher Education

Support & Advice

The Disability Discrimination Act places an obligation on higher education institutions to make reasonable adjustments to counteract the inequality which disabled people may experience and they must also make anticipatory adjustments. However, there are a number of factors to be considered and the definition of 'reasonable' adjustment is unclear. There are also uncertainties about who is covered by the DDA, again causing confusion for students struggling to gain the maximum benefit from a higher education course. Part of our role has been to help guide students through the maze of legislation and paperwork involved in gaining the support available to them, as well as providing independent, valid assessments and reports to support their claims.

Diagnostic Assessments

Some students in the UK may also be entitled to extra funding from the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) fund which provides extra financial help for non-medical assistance and equipment. If you have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, you must provide evidence in the form of a 'diagnostic assessment' from a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher. If you have had a diagnostic assessment in the past it may need to be updated. As well as being able to help with the diagnostic assessment we can also provide information on resources and suppliers, and in some cases can directly provide the resources which are relevant to the individual needs identified in the assessment.