University of Worcester
Disability and Dyslexia Service (2011-12)
What is the Disabled Student Allowance (“DSA”)?
It is a mandatory award which is available for disabled students who are eligible for DSA and
are undertaking courses in Higher Education. This award is intended to cover any extra costs
or expenses a student may have to meet whilst studying which arise because of a disability
(including specific learning differences like dyslexia or dyspraxia).
1. For students attending or undertaking full-time courses (excluding postgraduate courses)
there are three allowances to cover different areas of need:(a)
Specialist Equipment Allowance (maximum £5,161 for duration of course)
a grant for major items of equipment such as computers, speech synthesisers, radio
hearing aid or other IT equipment which may be needed to help the student benefit fully
from the course. It could also be used to cover the cost of any specialist furniture a student
might require in order to study. The allowance can be paid at any time during the course
provided the total payments do not exceed the maximum amount.
(b)
The General Allowance (maximum £1,724 per annum)
an annual amount to help pay for a non-medical helper. It may be used to cover any
miscellaneous expenses (apart from travel) which are disability related such as the cost of
non-course related books or photocopying where the library facilities are inadequate; extra
heating costs if the student is studying away from home for long periods of time; or
specialist needs assessment, etc..
(c)
The Non-Medical Helper Allowance (maximum £20,520 per annum)
a further annual amount for other extra costs. This can cover the cost of note takers, sign
language interpreters, mobility helpers, or any other form of personal assistance including
extra tutorial support for those with specific learning difficulties (eg dyslexia / dyspraxia).
This is normally paid in installments in relation to the helpers’ / support tutors/ wages and
costs.
(d)
Extra travel costs, for the purpose of attending the HE institution, incurred due to
your disability (no upper limit).
2. Students studying a part-time courses (excluding postgraduate courses) (equivalent of at
least 50% of a full time course) may also be eligible for an allowance which will be pro-rata
according to the period usually required to complete the equivalent full-time course.
3. For students studying a full time postgraduate course of at least a year there is one
allowance of up to £10,260 per academic year to cover all DSA costs. Students studying a
part-time postgraduate course, that will not take more than twice as long to complete as an
equivalent full-time course, may also be eligible.
The above allowances are NOT means tested.
For further information / assistance in applying for the DSA please contact the Disability
and Dyslexia Service on 01905 85 5531
Email: disability@worc.ac.uk or visit our website : http://www.worcester.ac.uk/disability/