Disability and Dyslexia Service
Student Services
Step by Step Guide for University of Worcester students applying forthe Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
Receiving the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is one of the key steps for disabled students wishing to access additional support whilst at University. If you think you may be eligible for such support please follow carefully the instructions below.
If you want to know more about the Disabled Students Allowance and how it may benefit you please ask one of the team in the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) or go to
If you are a UW student studying at a Partner Institution you may alternatively wish to seek guidance from the Disability Co-ordinator based at your institute. In either event the procedure will be similar.
Step / Process / Who makes this happen?Step 1
Apply for DSA:
Students waiting to join university / Contact the relevant Funding Authority and ask for a DSA1 form to be sent to you early in the summer prior to joining university. (* see notes on final page)
Return the completed application to the relevant Funding Authority with evidence of your disability, medical condition or dyslexia. / You, the student.
Step 1
Apply for DSA:
Current students / It’s likely that you have come in and discussed your needs with the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS), talked about DSA and have completed a DSA1 form whilst here. In which case we will forward your DSA application to the relevant funding authority. / DDS will send off completed application
Step 2
Arrange Needs Assessment / Your funding authority will write to you and ask you to arrange a Needs Assessment where your support needs whilst at university will be assessed. It will enclose a list of places that can offer this service.
If you are not sure how to go about this please contact Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS). If you do not arrange a needs assessment, the process will stop.
If you wish, DDS can make arrangements on your behalf to have the needs assessment conducted on the UW campus / You, the student.
Step 3
Attend the Needs Assessment / Once you have booked your needs assessment you should attend at the agreed time and location. All your support needs will be discussed with you so that the right support can be put in place when you start university. / You, the student
Step 4
Receive needs assessment report / The Needs Assessor will write a report setting out what your support needs are and giving recommendations as to what support should be put in place for you.
The assessor will send you a copy of the report, asking for your agreement to forward a copy to your Funding Authority and to DDS. You must respond to this request to enable the assessor to release the report. / You, the student
Step 5
Funding authority approves recommendations / With your consent the Needs Assessor will forward the Needs Assessment report to your Funding Authority.
The Funding Authority will review the recommendations, agree and release funding for support. / Funding Authority
Step 6
Ordering equipment (where appropriate) / In some cases the needs assessment may recommend the use of certain equipment. If that is the case your funding authority will tell you how to order your equipment. Some advise the student to contact the suppliers direct and others will ask the suppliers to contact the student.
Most funding authorities will pay the equipment suppliers direct. / Various
Step 7
Arranging support at university / A copy of your Needs Assessment will also be sent to DDS. We will make arrangements, with your agreement, for university based support to be implemented.
If you study at a partner institute a copy of the needs assessment report might only be sent to one institute. Therefore a copy should be shared with the other institute to ensure your needs are met. / DDS
At all of the above steps / If at any stage you want to check the progress of your application please feel free to ask someone in DDS as they can help you with this.
Also, if you are a current student waiting for your needs assessment, we may be able to offer you some support whilst you wait. Please ask! / You, the student.
*What is the relevant Funding Authority?
HND, UMS and post graduate students: -
New students applying for 2009-10
the Student Loans Company, PO Box 210, DarlingtonDL1 9HJ
tel: 0845 300 50 90. Applications available to download from website.
For students having started their course in academic year 08-09 or before – the student finance section in the student’s home LEA
NHS (bursary) students: - NHS Student Grants Unit. Applications available to download from website
PhD students:- the Research Council that provides your bursary or if it is a UW bursary then it will be the Student Finance section in your home LEA
If you need help completing the DSA1 please do get in touch with the DDS who will be able to help.
February 2009