Special educational needs - Disabled students allowance
These allowances are intended to assist students with
disabilities to benefit as fully as possible from their course.
They are designed to cover special equipment, non-medical helpers
and other general expenses.
Assistance with travel costs can be given under certain
circumstances. Some important notes on how to claim the Disabled
Students' Allowance are included at the end of this page.
Remember, these allowances are not means-tested.
Special equipment allowance
This allowance covers major items of equipment, the need for
which arises from a disability, and which are necessary to enable a
student to benefit fully from the course. It is payable at any time
during the course, by one or more instalments, provided that the
aggregated total of the payments does not exceed the maximum
prescribed limit for the course. If it is more economical, items of
equipment should be leased rather than purchased, especially if the
claim is made during the latter stages of the course. Disabled
students may find the AbilityNet website of use and interest. It
provides impartial, expert advice about computer technology for
people with disabilities.
AbilityNet
Non-medical personal helper's allowance
This allowance reimburses students for expenditure on
personal helpers such as readers, lip speakers, note takers,
non-medical carers, necessary for the student to benefit fully from
the course. The authority must be satisfied that the expenses are
in respect the student's disability, and arise as a direct
consequence of attendance on the course. The provision of these
allowances does not remove our duty to provide assistance
towards personal care costs which would have been incurred
irrespective of a student's attendance on a course.
General disability allowance
This allowance provides for supplementary payments for
disability related expenditure incurred because of attendance on
the course. The allowance may be used for miscellaneous expenditure
not covered by the specific allowances and to supplement
expenditure on non-medical helpers and/or special equipment in
excess of the maxima of the specific allowances.
Travel for disabled students
Reimbursement of travel expenses may also be claimed if, by
reason of your disability, you incur additional expenditure. You
will be asked to show how your disability incurs additional cost,
and to provide medical evidence if necessary.
Notes on claiming a disabled students' allowance
- Although they form part of Student Support in Higher Education,
these allowances are not means-tested.
- Items purchased under this provision become your own property.
If you withdraw from your course prematurely, however, you may be
asked to repay part of the cost.
- Payment can be considered only for costs arising from
attendance and from the disability - not for expenditure which
would have been incurred irrespective of whether you were a
student.
- We strongly recommend that suitable insurance is obtained. In
the case of theft or damage (however caused) we will not contribute
towards the cost of repairs or replacement. Reasonable insurance
cover may be reimbursed under the Special Equipment Allowance. For
a small cost, it may be possible to add this equipment to your own
or your parent's all risks/extra cover home insurance policy.
- You should discuss your needs with your Course Tutor/Head of
Department or College Disability Officer who must write in support
of your claim. The letter must confirm the nature and extent of
your disability and the cost (excluding VAT) together with the
make, model and exact specification of the necessary equipment, if
appropriate. If your college is unable to provide this information,
they may refer you to an independent Access Centre for an
assessment of your disability related needs. The cost of this
assessment will be met from the disabled students' allowance.
- These allowances are intended to assist individual students and
not to defray the running and pastoral costs of colleges. This
should be explained to your college when your requirements are
discussed.
- We will also require an assessment of the disability by a
suitably qualified person or body, such as an Educational
Psychologist in the case of dyslexia. NB The cost of this medical
assessment cannot be met from the Disabled Students' Allowance.
This is not the assessment referred to in 5 above which is related
to your needs. The medical assessment will refer to the nature of
your disability.
- It is likely that our own suppliers will be able to obtain any
equipment on your behalf. If this is the case, an order will be
placed and the equipment delivered to you.
- For security reasons, we will not deliver to a private address
other than your usual permanent address. If this is not suitable,
you should arrange with your college where the delivery can be
made. A university/college department or faculty, or warden of a
hall of residence would be appropriate.
- When making an application for a Disabled Students' Allowance,
please state to whom and where the equipment should be delivered
including a daytime contact telephone number and ensure that they
will take responsibility for the equipment upon receipt. We will
take no responsibility for loss after delivery.