During the Covid-19 pandemic, to avoid delays to the provision of support and finding through the DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance), the Student Loan Company has decided that applicants who do not have a full and valid assessment for specific learning difficulties can have an online, interim Evaluation of Need to be accepted as evidence for DSA.

This assessment does not provide a diagnosis, but instead gives an idea of the impact of your difficulties on your studies. The EoN will also give recommendations for reasonable adjustments.

When the restrictions for assessments have lessened, ‘top up’ assessments will be offered to convert your Evaluation of Need to a full Dyslexia Assessment.

Remote Evaluations of Need will be accepted for applications up to and including 30^th June 2021.

What will happen in an Evaluation of Need?

Before the assessment, you will be given a set of questionnaires to fill in. If you would prefer, the questionnaires can be filled in over the phone. You will also be asked to sign an agreement to guarantee test security.

The assessment will be carried out over Zoom or Google Meet, and information will be sent to you about this.

On the day of the assessment, a number of tasks will be administered. There will always be a chance for breaks if needed. The tests cover:

• A discussion of the difficulties that you are having at university.
• A test of phonological processing speed.
• Tests of reading, writing and spelling.
• If needed, screeners for dyspraxia or ADHD.

In all, an assessment should take between 1-2 hours. You will receive your report ready to submit to the DSA in the following 2 weeks.