If you have a disability or condition that affects your ability to study, it is likely that you will be able to receive study support.

We can offer support for students with a range of disabilities such as:

• Dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD
• Mental health condition such as depression or anxiety
• Autistic spectrum conditions
• Sight or hearing problems
• Longstanding conditions such as epilepsy or chronic fatigue
• Physical impairments or mobility difficulties.

How Can We Support You?

NTC supports students who have a disability in the following ways:

• Meeting with you at any stage of the application process to tell you more about studying at NTC and how we can make the college, lectures and facilities accessible for you
• Assisting you with completing forms for Disability Support Allowance
• Informing lecturers (with your permission) of your specific needs, e.g. for lecture notes to be made available to you in advance or on coloured paper
• Working with you (if you are in receipt of DSA) to arrange funded support such as delivery of specialist equipment or one-to-one appointments with a study skills coach
• Meeting with you throughout your studies to ensure that you are happy with the level of support you are receiving.

We can only offer support if you choose to tell us about your disability, but this allows us to discuss your learning needs and ensure that we can provide appropriate support. Where possible, it is also important that you indicate your learning needs at least two months before your begin your studies so that we can begin to put in place the best support before you start.

Visit our Facilities page for information about disability access around the campus.

To discuss Learning Support in more detail, please contact Anna Soumeka, Learning Support Co-Ordinator for the College, asoumeka@nazarene.ac.uk

Applying for DSA

What is DSA?
DSA helps you to meet the extra study costs incurred due to your disability. For example, it might help pay for a laptop with specialist software or a study skills coach.”

Who Can Apply for DSA?
Most UK students are eligible to apply for DSA. You can check the criteria on the DSA website.
Unfortunately, if you are an overseas student, you will not be eligible for DSA. However, you should still apply to the college as we might be able to access alternative sources of funding.

How do I apply for DSA?

You can now apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances online!

The new online application process is a much faster way to apply and with fewer questions than the paper form, it makes it even easier to apply and you can submit your evidence via email.

Who can apply online?
The online application is available to students who are:

• SFE
• Undergraduate
• Full-time
• Applying for core support

All other students will apply using a paper application form following the process below. There are six things you will need to do:

1. Assemble the evidence*
2. Fill out the forms to apply for DSA
3. Book a Needs Assessment Appointment
4. Attend a Needs Assessment Appointment
5. Receive your DSA Needs Assessment Report
6. Put the support in place with help from the Learning Support Co-ordinator.

* Please note that you have to provide medical evidence of your disability and will need to meet the costs of this yourself. If you are dyslexic and have not had a ‘diagnostic assessment’ since the age of sixteen then you will need to arrange for one to be carried out. This needs to be carried out by an educational psychologist or specialist teacher (please contact the College for the contact details of approved assessors).

We understand these assessments cost money, but without one you cannot access DSA funding and most of the associated support that comes with it.

More detailed information about DSA can be found be found on the web pages listed below.

Useful Links

Disabled Students Allowance

These are the government pages on DSA. They provide details on eligibility, have copies of the forms you will need to fill out, and describe what you need to do. If you would like to discuss the online application call the DSA on: 0300 100 060.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific questions, or contact us to arrange a visit and discuss your requirements.