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Disability Support Allowance
Students with disabilities
Our HE Senior Learning Mentor will be able to provide you with advice and support about studying with us if you have a diagnosed disability, long term health condition or specific learning difficulty that is likely to have an impact on your studies. We offer confidential guidance relating to your individual needs, which may include a specific learning difficulty, a physical or sensory impairment, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, or mental health difficulty.
Our experienced Senior Learning Mentor is located on 3rd floor of The Forum and facilitates support for students with a variety of disabilities, recognising that individuals may have very different needs. We can discuss any additional support you may require, including making reasonable adjustments to your course and environment and advice on how to apply for special exam/coursework considerations. We can also give you advice about funding study related support via the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), if appropriate.
We will require your consent before sharing disability or health related information. Your details will be kept confidential within the University and will only be used for support purposes to allow reasonable adjustments to be considered.
What do we mean by Disability?
The definition of disability is broad; if you have a physical, mental or sensory impairment which you feel requires support to enable you to study at University, then you may be eligible for support. The HE Senior Learning Mentor will be pleased to discuss with you and your personal circumstances to help you decide if you should apply for support.
Some examples of disability are listed below:
- specific Learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or attention deficit disorder
- Asperger/Autism
- mental health condition
- mobility issues
- long term medical conditions
- hearing impairment
- visual impairment
We can support a range of disabilities:
- advice regarding the support options available to you during your studies
- on programme
- liaison with your academic department
- arranging for learning materials to be produced in alternative formats
- orientation training either before or at the very start of term for those with visually impairment or mobility difficulties
- support with personal emergency evacuation plans
- examination adjustments (It is extremely important that you come and see us as soon as possible if you need examination adjustments, as there is a deadline date for submission. If you do not submit your application in time, you may be too late to meet that deadline).
- extenuating circumstances
- late submission
- intermission
Students will need to have medical proof or a diagnostic report to apply for support. The following types of evidence/report may be required.
- letter from your Doctor or specialist
- audiology report
- blind/visual impairment registration
- diagnostic report from an educational assessor or PATOSS registered Specialist Teachers report
- letter or report from Community Mental Health team or Psychologist
As a higher education student living in England, you may be eligible to apply for additional funding via a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a disability, including a:
- long-term health condition
- mental health condition
- specific learning difficulty, eg dyslexia
You must meet the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 .
To apply for the DSA you can tick the box on your student loan or Bursary application form and you will be sent a DSA application form or you can apply directly through the website of your funding body. The funding body will pay for a needs assessment to decide what support you need at university. If you are eligible to apply for this fund you are strongly advised to apply as soon as possible before you start your course, but you can apply at any time during your studies.
If you are intending to ask the College to provide (DSA) Disabled Student’s Allowance funded support, it is highly recommended that you contact our HE Senior Learning Mentor as soon as possible.
Personal Care Support
The University or DSA does not provide or fund support with daily living tasks, therefore you will need to think carefully about any non-academic, disability-related support requirements you may have, e.g. assistance with shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry or personal care. Funding for care support is via your own Social Services. If you need this type of support you will need to liaise with your existing Social Services department to put support in place. This can take time and early contact with us around your needs is essential. We can put you in touch with an agency that we work with currently, SPDNS, to assist with care support, which could be an option for you.
SPDNS Nurse Care provide care and support for people living in the Southend area.
International and EU students with dyslexia, disability or a medical condition
You can’t access DSAs from Student Finance England if you are an EU or International student. If you have a diagnosis of Dyslexia or a disability and have evidence of this, please contact our HE Senior Learning Mentor, Lorraine Brophy, as soon as possible to discuss this further.
- Dyslexia - students should have their Educational Psychologist’s (or equivalent) report translated into English. The report must date from when you were 16 or over
- disabled students are advised to provide medical evidence of their impairment, eg, audiogram, doctor’s letter
Success stories
Success Stories - Andy Wyatt
Course studied
Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing (2D CAD) Level 2 Award
My name is Andy Wyatt , I am 52 years old and I studied Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at South Essex College in 1984/5.
What did you study at South Essex College?
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design where I specialised in Photographic Arts and Moving Image.
What qualification did you receive?
I completed my foundation course at SEC and then went to study a BA in Filmmaking at Harrow School of Art which is now part of the University of Westminster.
What was your background before coming to the College to study?
I grew up in Chelmsford and studied A levels.
What have you done since completing your course?
After my degree I worked as an animator working on cartoons such as The Teenage Ninja Turtles and Duck Tales the Movie. I then joined a studio called Halas and Batchelor in London, followed by a studio called Honeycomb Animation where I became an Animation Director, animating and directing TV series including Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids. I then moved to Bristol, setting up my own studio, creating animation for the internet before working as a series director at Aardman Animations.
I have also worked as an educator, helping to set up degree programmes in Universities, and now work as an ambassador in the UK and Ireland for Toon Boom Animation, a Canadian Animation technology company. I work with studios setting up their productions, which can be TV series, Feature films or games.
Why did you choose to study at South Essex College?
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!
What is the best thing about doing further or higher education?
It really develops your creativity, and is life-changing in that you get to specialise in a subject that you really love, and get to meet friends for life. It helps you progress to a great career.
What skills did you gain / are you gaining that have proved valuable?
As well as creativity, you also become more professional, meeting deadlines which can be really stressful, but college gives you experience working as part of a team which should never be under estimated.
What is your favourite memory of being at the College?
Some great people, and I remember the pride from being part of the end of year show. The environment was inspiring too.
Why would you recommend South Essex College?
For the same reasons I went…really knowledgeable staff who develop you as a person. The facilities are also incredible.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
I’ve been part of productions that have had two BAFTA nominations… unfortunately we did not win either time, but it is a great achievement to be nominated!
What are your ambitions for the future?
To continue working in Animation which is one of the most dynamic and constantly evolving industries….when I think how much it has changed just throughout my career, who knows what will happen in the future!
Did your time at the College help with other areas of life (such as gaining confidence or maybe a skill that has helped you to pursue a hobby)?
Definitely. It built my confidence and developed my ability to work as part of a team and probably made me a bit more competitive (in a good way!)
Where are you working now?
Director of Business Development for Toon Boom Animation
What does your job entail?
Working with studios in the UK and Ireland to develop new ideas for projects. I help them achieve the look and style of animation they want.
How did you progress to your current position?
It took all sorts of experience from all the various jobs I have had to give me the knowledge and experience I needed to do the job I do now.
How did your time at South Essex College help prepare you for the workplace?
It opened my eyes to the fact that there was a whole sector of work out there (the Creative Industries) for people like me who enjoyed art and design.
How does the equipment you used at College compare to that within industry?
Actually, it is as good, if not better. Many of the studios I worked for had very limited budgets and we had to use old machinery or computers, and the studios were often in freezing cold basements or boiling hot attics!! The college has the latest software and powerful machines and air-conditioned studios…quite a luxury compared to some of the places I have worked!
