About the Technical Assessment and Support Centre (TASC)

TASC is based at Blackpool and The Fylde College, within the new University Campus in central Blackpool. We offer assessments for assistive technology and personal support needs for people with a wide range of disabilities, including: specific learning difficulties, physical disabilities, mental health challenges, and sensory impairments (such as visual or hearing impairments). 

Our assessments lead to recommendations for assistive technology, equipment, study aids, training, specialist strategies and support. Support is usually provided to Higher Education students via Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) funding.

TASC also undertakes assessments for students on FE programmes and internal College staff.

For booking appointments and any queries concerning Assessments of Need contact David Barnes at the Technical Assessment and Support Centre (TASC):-

Maps and Directions

• Maps and instructions on how to find any of our campuses are available in our How to Find Us section.
• Information about finding buildings and getting around our campuses is available in our Campus Maps section.

Opening times

TASC is open for enquiries between 9.00am and 4.00pm - Monday to Friday.

Assessment appointments are normally arranged to start at 9.00am or 1.00pm, though earlier or later appointments can be scheduled if required. Evening appointments are available by special arrangement.

Please Note: The TASC Assessment Centre will be closed between Friday 16 December 2011 and Wednesday 4 January 2012 for Christmas Holidays

Your questions answered. . .

What does an Assessment Centre provide?

TASC provides independent professional advice and guidance, given during an assessment of study or employment needs to a chosen course of study or employment. Assessments are carried out by one of our experienced Technical Assessors - working to nationally agreed guidelines. The purpose of an assessment is to identify study / work aids and strategies required to provide equity of access to a chosen course of study / employment. Most assessments for students in Higher Education are funded through the Disabled Student Allowance.

What is the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA)?

The DSA is a government grant for UK students with disabilities, medical conditions or specific learning difficulties who are enrolled on Higher Education, Post Graduate and Open University courses. The award is intended to cover any extra costs or expenses learners may have whilst studying, that arise due to their disability or specific learning difficulty. ‘Bridging the Gap’ gives full details on how to apply, download at www.direct.gov.uk or order by telephone on 0800 731 9133 . You can get more information about the NHS Bursary Scheme, and the DSAs offered, in the Department of Health's guide 'Financial Help for Health Care Students' . You can get copies by contacting the Department of Health Publications Orderline on 08701 555 455 or from their website at www.dh.gov.uk

Disabled Student’s Allowance Quality Assurance Group

TASC is an Accredited Assessment Centre, having successfully completed extensive quality audits by the Disabled Student’s Allowance - Quality Assurance Group (DSA - QAG) in 2008 and 2010.

How to access the Disabled Student’s Allowance funding

You should contact your funding body (Student Finance England, Research Council, NHS or The Open University), to apply for the DSA. Evidence is required to determine eligibility. This may include an Educational Psychologist’s Report (post 16 years of age) or recent medical evidence outlining the impact of your disability / difficulty, on day to day activities, and in relation to your course of study. The DSA does not cover the cost of obtaining disability evidence / diagnosis. To meet these costs you can apply to your university or college (the disability adviser may be able to help you with this) to see if help is available through the Access to Learning Fund.

You can apply for DSA funding by completing the form PN1 (form PR1 if you are a continuing student) or on-line at studentfinancedirect.co.uk Once your LEA has confirmed your eligibility for DSA funding, the next stage is that you will be asked to have an Assessment of Study Needs at an Assessment Centre such as TASC.

Why do I need to have an assessment?

The assessment will match your particular needs with those of your proposed course. It will also identify support strategies, types of equipment, training you might need to make best use of the equipment, how much it will cost and where to get it from. All recommendations are required to be directly associated with a difficulty you have as a consequence of your disability. Therefore, each assessment is tailored to the individual’s needs. Specific software or hardware can only be included where the disability demands it.

How can I arrange my assessment?

To arrange an assessment, you can contact TASC using the details provided above. We will send you an application form and ask for evidence of your disability (such as a letter from a medical specialist or GP, or an Educational Psychologist's report, if you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia), a copy of the letter from your funding body advising you to arrange an assessment and a course details form to identify how the course is delivered (eg lectures, seminars, labs), how many teaching hours are there every week and how are you assessed (e.g. exams, coursework).

How long will I need to wait for an assessment?

It is our target to offer you an assessment appointment within 15-working days of receipt of your assessment application to us.

Do I need to do anything to prepare for the Assessment?

It will be helpful to both you and your assessor that before you attend the appointment, that you take a little time to think about your course of study and the likely impact on you.  It is useful to think about how effective your previous study strategies were. Consider things such as receiving help from family, friends, teachers or support tutors, and whether or not any specific examination arrangements that were made for you.

Where do I need to go for the assessment?

Assessments are conducted in our dedicated Assessment Centre, within the University Centre Hub, on Bennett Avenue, Blackpool. This is located just off The Loop. For travel directions, please click on the link - Find Us.

For a more detailed map of the University Centre campus, Click here.

What happens during an Assessment?

The assessment involves no tests, or judgements about your academic ability. It is an opportunity to discuss how your disability / learning difficulty affects your study / work - discussing previous experiences and any coping strategies you use.

On average a DSA assessment takes approximately 2 to 3 hours and is conducted in two parts - collection of background information (about how your disability or difficulty might affect your studies) and discussion and evaluation of appropriate support packages.

The assessor will discuss and explore different support options and make recommendations. The assessment will give you a chance to evaluate many of the latest assistive technologies including information and communication technology and/or ergonomic equipment appropriate to your needs. You and the assessor will decide on the most appropriate support to your needs. This will then be documented in the report. Where assistive computer technology is recommended the assessor will usually specify a supplier from an approved supplier list.

What types of support may be recommended?

Examples of types of support recommended are: one-to-one specialist support; in-class note-takers; communicator support workers; study mentors; assistance for mobility needs; access arrangements for examinations; computer equipment and software; ergonomic equipment; recording / organisational devices.

What happens after the Assessment?

• After the DSA assessment, the Assessor will produce a report outlining your needs and recommended strategies.
• A draft of the report will be sent to you for approval within 10-working days. The report will contain recommendations within the scope of the Disabled Students’ Allowance for the consideration of your funding body along with advice for you and your university or college. You will have the opportunity to ask any further questions you may have.
• Once the report has been agreed by you, a copy will be sent by TASC to your funding body.
• The funding body will then write to you outlining how you should proceed to acquire any equipment, and/or support.
• With your permission, a copy of the report will be sent to the HE Learning Support Co-ordinator / Disability Officer at your Higher Education Institution / Open University.

We suggest that you arrange to meet with the Disability Officer at your college or university to discuss the support recommendations made in your report and how you would like this arranged.

How long will it be before I receive my equipment?

This depends on your funding body (SFE / NHS / OU), however, usually you should be informed whether the report’s recommendations have been approved within approximately 6 weeks after receipt of your report. Once the Assessment Report has been sent to your funding body, TASC has no control over this decision or the length of time the decision takes.

Your funding body will normally write to you stating whether our recommendations have been approved and will specify who is to supply the recommended technologies / equipment for you. TASC usually also receive a copy of this letter. During the assessment we will have discussed with you the various options for obtaining your equipment and we can act on your behalf to arrange for the supply and installation of your assistive technologies.

How you can help us to improve our service...

At TASC we aim to provide the best service to you that we are able. To help us to find out what YOU think of our service, please could you take the time to complete the online questionnaire describing how you have found us? The survey is in three parts (one for each stage of the process) and includes Assessment of Needs (TASC) process, equipment supply process and after-sales service from the supplier. The survey can be found at: Student Survey

What if I have a complaint?

If you have a complaint about any aspect of your assessment please raise it with the Assessment Centre Manager - June Farebrother - as soon as possible :

The next stage would be to direct your complaint, preferably (but not necessarily), in writing, to Quality and Standards. Complaints can be detailed on a “Helping us to be better” form, emailed to or outlined in a letter - giving key details - to :

Full details can be found within our Complaints Policy, which is currently being updated and will be posted online when complete.

Further information

Studying at University Level Higher Education

Universities and colleges are increasingly aware of the needs of disabled students and students with specific learning difficulties. They can provide support in a number of ways – and you may be able to get extra financial help. See: www.direct.gov.uk

You can find more information on DSAs at www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport in the Bridging the Gap booklet, which is also available from your funding body (LEA / NHS / OU). Information sheets are also available from Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, at www.skill.org.uk.

National Network of Assessment Centres

TASC is a member of The National Network of Assessment Centres

What is the National Network of Assessment Centres (NNAC)?

NNAC is a UK-wide network of assessment centres that work together to facilitate access for people with disabilities into education, training, employment and personal development. TASC is represented at both regional and national meetings. More information can be gained from the NNAC website.

How is the quality of our service assured?

The Disabled Students' Allowance - Quality Assurance Group (DSA-QAG) was set up by the former Department for Education and Skills (DfES), now known as Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) to establish a framework for assessors and assessment centres, such as TASC. The aim was to audit annually the performance of all assessment centres and specialist suppliers against set targets

By 2004, the Quality Assurance Framework was developed and launched, and the first audits of centres and suppliers began in 2005. All assessment centres and assessors are required to meet DSA-QAG's published quality standards criteria. TASC underwent our first DSA-QAG audit in August 2008, which we successfully completed. We were subsequently audited in April 2010 and are a DSA-QAG accredited assessment centre. More information can be found on the DSA-QAG website