DS office Interiors is proud to support Access Centres & Needs assessors throughout the UK with our passionate, professional service. We are always available to help and assist with new relationships throughout the sector with our Disability Student Allowances Hub.
We look at student workplace support primarily, where we use our knowledge and understanding to help make the best recommendations for our clients to aid their studies within their own homes, or whatever residential property they do their studies in.
This ranges from adjustable ergonomic seating, height adjustable desks, footrests, monitor arms, specialist keyboards, wrist supports and bespoke made to measure items when required.
The service is free of charge and only basic information is required for DS Office Interiors to take over the next steps and aid the report. Our trained team will arrange onsite visits to observe the students study space and take along a range of samples to help work out the best support required for each individual after discussions around their conditions and needs.
Following the visit, a full written report will be supplied, along with recommendations to support the student for your DSA submittal. (We also submit directly when required)
Products We Offer
Are you currently studying in higher education and feel you need more ergonomic support due to a health condition? If so, we can help provide you with bespoke items to support you through your studies, funded by the DSA.
Whats involved with a DSA needs assessement
The Disabled Student Allowances provide additional financial assistance to students in higher education who experience obstacles when studying as a result of disabling conditions. The government has specific guidelines for determining who is entitled to student finance through the DSA. In order to find out if you are eligible, visit student finance England and submit an application.
Once your eligibility for student disability allowance has been confirmed, contact us to book an appointment for your DSA needs assessment.
A DSA needs assessment is an informal meeting of up to two hours with a needs assessor experienced in recommending support and equipment for students applying for the Disabled Students Allowances. The assessment is not a test of any sort, but an opportunity to assess the different options available to support any difficulties that studying at university or college may present.
Firstly, your needs assessor will ask you for more information about how you study and the areas that you feel you may struggle with. This will include talking about things like carrying out research for assignments, writing essays, taking notes, revising for exams, undertaking practical work, getting around university or college and more.
The second part will be a chance to evaluate different types of support. This will usually include looking at some different software and equipment (Ergonomic furniture) to see how they can support you, plus they will discuss one-to-one support where required.
At this stage if you feel the need for a more supportive home/student accomodation working setup due to your condition the needs assessor will pass your details to DS Office Interiors and they can carry out an audit at your study living space.
They will look at seating, desking and other equipment that can maximise your working windows to support you through your studies. They will provide a report to your needs assessor following the visit. For more understanding on this process please click here to see DS Office Interiors DSA process.
Once the assessment and any other additional support recommendations are carried out, your assessor will then go away to write your needs assessment report. This outlines all the recommendations and explains how they will support you.
After processing your report, the establishment funding these additional tools will get in touch to confirm which recommendations they agree to finance (usually all of them), and what to do next in terms of ordering equipment and arranging any one-to-one support. However, if you are not sure what is happening at any stage of the process, you can just get in touch with your needs assessor.
Approval from the DSA/SFE will be sent to you in the form of a DSA2 letter. We need a copy of this letter so that we can process your equipment order. Please email it to sales@dsoffice.co.uk. Click the button below to view an example letter to help you identify the correct document to send to us. DS Office Interiors Ltd should be listed on the second page under ‘Specialist Equipment Allowance’.
