Disability & Dyslexia Support

Central aims to create an environment which enables all students to participate fully in School life. S3 (Student Support Services) is committed to assuring the rights of students with disabilities and learning differences. The Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) offers a range of information, guidance and support to students with disabilities and learning differences and is committed to assuring the rights of these students. It adheres to the Disability Discrimination Act (2005) and supports students with a wide range of conditions.

 

Central’s Students’ Union has had an annually elected Disabled & Dyslexic Students’ Officer since 2007. The officer sits on the Disabled & Dyslexic Students’ Forum which seeks to facilitate discussion on any issues or difficulties disabled students might face at Central, with the aim to improve accessibility and awareness. We strongly encourage any disabled or dyslexic student to contact us as soon as possible. That way we can work together to develop a plan to meet your study needs right from the start.

Disabilities covered under the Disability Discrimination Act (2005) include any condition that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect upon a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

 

This definition includes not just those with mobility or sensory impairments, but also a wide range of other conditions including mental health difficulties such as depression, learning difficulties (including Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia) and unseen medical conditions (such as diabetes or a heart condition), or progressive and fluctuating conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, HIV, cancer, epilepsy or Crohn’s Disease). A ‘long-term adverse effect’ is one that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or is likely to become permanent.

Specific learning difficulties are more prevalent amongst people who are good at visual or performance based skills. About 18% of students at Central are dyslexic or dyspraxic learners and register with the DDS, making full use of the support services offered. The DDS is moving towards promoting the understanding of neuro-diversity across the School and is involved in promoting teaching, learning and assessment strategies which are inclusive at point of design. Central acknowledges and is committed to a School-wide approach to supporting neuro-diverse students, recognising the value their learning differences contribute to student life and theatre and performance making.

If you have a disability or learning difficulty and you are a home student, you may be eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance.

 

This is a government fund which provides support that is tailored to each individual, so you may find that someone else with the same disability as you has a different ‘support package’. The DSA can fund aids and services to support you with your studies, which could include specialist software, ergonomic aids and/or 1:1 skills tuition. If you want to apply for DSA, it is important to begin this process as soon as possible, as the entire procedure can take up to 12 weeks. You can find out more information and apply at www.direct.gov.uk

 

If you require more information about the DSA application process, please contact Central’s DDS Coordinators:

 

Disability Services Coordinator

email disability.support@cssd.ac.uk

telephone +44 (0)20 7559 3992

 

Dyslexia Services Coordinator

email dyslexia.support@cssd.ac.uk

telephone +44 (0)20 7449 1586