About the Technical Assessment and Support Centre (TASC)

TASC is based at Blackpool and The Fylde College at the new University Campus in Central Blackpool. TASC offers assessments for assistive technology and personal support needs for people with a range of disabilities, including specific learning difficulties, physical disability, mental health difficulties, visual and hearing impairments.  The assessments lead to recommendations for assistive technology, equipment, study aids, training, specialist strategies and support. This 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):-

Opening times. . .

TASC is open for enquiries between 9.00am and 5.00pm - Monday to Friday.

Assessment appointments are normally arranged to start at 9.30am or 1.00pm, though earlier or later appointments can be scheduled if required. Evening appointments are available by special arrangement.

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 an extensive quality audit by the Disabled Student’s Allowance - Quality Assurance Group (DSA - QAG) in August 2008.

How to access the Disabled Student’s Allowance funding

You should contact your funding body (Student Finance England / Local Authority, 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 funding body approval.

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 Assessment Centre in the University Centre Hub, on Bennett Avenue. 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 at an Assessment?

The assessment involves no tests, or judgement on your academic ability, it is an opportunity to discuss how your disability / learning difficulty affects your study / work, discussing past 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 learning support; note-taker; communicator support workers; mentor; educational support ; 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.

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.

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 as soon as possible :

June Farebrother,
Email:
telephone: 01253 504494
Mail: University Centre, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Bennett Avenue, Blackpool FY1 4EE

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 to the Clerk to the Corporation, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Ashfield Road, Bispham, Blackpool, Lancs FY2 OHB giving key details. Full details can be found in the Blackpool and Fylde College Complaints Policy/Procedure

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.

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.

National Network of Assessment Centres

TASC is a member of The National Network of Assessment Centres

What is the Quality Audit Group (QAG)?

The Quality Assurance Group (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. By 2004, the Quality Assurance Framework was developed and launched, and audits of centres and suppliers began in 2005. All assessment centres and assessors are required to meet their published quality standards criteria. TASC is currently awaiting an audit visit in August 2008. More information can be found on the www.dsa-qag.org.uk .