Student Disability Service (SDS)
Factsheet 3
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA):
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Your Rights and Responsibilities: Claiming Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
The Student Disability Service provides Needs Assessments for students applying for the Disabled
Students’ Allowance (DSA). This is a joint process between you and a Disability Advisor or
Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Advisor. We advise that you have your Needs Assessment
conducted at the Student Disability Service as we have an understanding of the context in which
you will be learning. However there are many Access Centres throughout the country where you
can also have a Needs Assessment. A list of recognised Access Centres can be found at the
following website: http://www.dsa-qag.org.uk. We recommend that you contact us prior to the start
of your course to arrange a Needs Assessment. Please note that there is usually a waiting list
for a Needs Assessment during semester time.
Our responsibilities in helping you apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) are:

To make appropriate recommendations that enable and empower you to become an
independent learner

To ensure that all discussion is accurately captured in the Needs Assessment Report

To clearly explain the outcomes of the assessment and ensure you understand the DSA
process

To work in a timely fashion to minimise delays to your support being put in place
If during the Needs Assessment the student or the Advisor feels the meeting is not productive,
either party has the right to withdraw.
Your responsibilities in applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) are:

If appropriate, submit a DSA application form to your funding body (if your funder is Student
Finance England)

Provide us with evidence of your disability

Fully engage with the Needs Assessment process

Approve the Needs Assessment Report and sign the final copy in a timely manner

Adhere to the recommendations of the assessment, which may include attending 1-1 support
e.g. IT training in the use of assistive software

Communicate with your funding body as and when required

If appropriate, return all receipts to your funding body
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After the Needs Assessment we will:

Help you to understand the next steps in the DSA process

Communicate effectively with all relevant parties, e.g. your funding body, IT technology
supplier and relevant academic staff

Provide you with training in the use of any assistive technologies recommended and organise
1-1 support, e.g. SpLD tutoring

Review and evaluate the effectiveness of any recommendations made by us, via an annual
survey and informal feedback to Advisors
Timescales:

The Student Disability Service ensures that the waiting list for a Needs Assessment is kept to
a minimum at all times

You will usually receive the draft Needs Assessment report within 10 working days of the
assessment

There may be a delay if we have to make further enquiries or during our busiest time at the
start of the academic year

You have a responsibility to comment on the draft Needs Assessment Report and sign the
report as quickly as possible to reduce delays
Purchasing recommended equipment through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA):

You will be provided with a quote through our recommended IT equipment supplier. We
strongly advise that you purchase any equipment through this supplier as they have specialist
knowledge and experience of DSA.

However you are not restricted to purchasing equipment through this supplier. If you choose to
purchase the equipment elsewhere, you must ensure that you purchase all items
recommended in the Needs Assessment report including appropriate insurance and warranties
to last the duration of your course.

Students funded by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) must return any unspent
funds or, if purchasing equipment that exceeds that in the quote, must meet the difference
through personal funds.
For further information or to request this
information in alternative format please contact:
Student Disability Service
The University of Edinburgh
Third Floor, The Main Library Building
George Square, Edinburgh
EH8 9LJ
0131 650 6828
www.ed.ac.uk/student-disability-service
disability.service@ed.ac.uk
Challenging attitudes.
Mainstreaming equality.
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