Support available
Many learners who come to college have a learning difficulty or a disability. If you have (or think you may have) a learning difficulty or a disability this should not stop you applying to college. You may be able to obtain financial support to pay for e.g. specialist equipment, provision of communication support workers for learners with hearing impairment, or provision of additional teaching for learners with dyslexia-type conditions. For HE students this financial support is called a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA). You must apply for this DSA as part of the process of applying for your tuition fee and maintenance grants and loans from your LEA.

Disability Statement & Guidance on accessing support for learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities*

You can contact Student Support by telephone on 01642 298821 or contact Student Support here through the web site

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Obtaining your Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
Obtaining your DSA funds can sometimes be a long process. The important thing to note is that you must apply for a DSA in order to access the additional equipment, transport or tuition that you need. Student Support Advisers and Additional Support Lecturers can help you through the application process. For more detailed information see our leaflet How to obtain support for a learning difficulty / disability.

A leaflet with Guidance on how to obtain support for Higher Education learners is available here*

You can contact Student Support by telephone on 01642 298821 or contact Student Support here through the web site

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Telling us about your learning difficulty or disability
It is important that you tell the college as early as possible that you have a learning difficulty or disability, so the college can assess whether you will require support, and put that support in place for when you start college. You are encouraged to declare any medical condition / learning difficulty / disability on your application form and at interview. Once you have declared it a Student Support Adviser will contact you to discuss whether you will need any support, and if you do, to discuss how this will be delivered. Student Support staff are not experts on every condition, and recognise that the same condition might have a different impact on an individual resulting in different support needs. It is therefore vital that you discuss your needs openly with your adviser, so the support put in place is appropriate for you. If you already have a statement of educational needs it is useful if you would share that with your Student Support Adviser.

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Screening for learning difficulties
The most common type of learning difficulty at this college is dyslexia (or dyslexia related conditions). Over the years many learners have exhibited traits of the condition without previously having had a diagnosis. The college therefore offers screening for all students at enrolment / induction. This screening process helps the Additional Support Lecturers prioritise those students who should undertake further testing to see whether they have a dyslexic type condition and who would benefit from additional tuition. Additional Support Lecturers offer a programme of support to help learners develop the skills and strategies to enable them to succeed on their course.

You can contact Student Support by telephone on 01642 298821 or contact Student Support here through the web site

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