About this page
The Neuro-Inclusion and Disability Service (NDS) provides advice, support and guidance for disabled students on their learning journey. We believe student diversity contributes to a healthy, dynamic and interesting community here at Central.
Under the Equality Act 2010 the definition of disability includes any condition that has a substantial and long-term negative 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 and specific learning differences. A ‘long-term negative effect’ is one that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12-months, or is likely to become permanent.
Dyslexia and Neuro-Divergent Learners
Specific learning differences are common in people who are talented at visual or performance based skills. The NDS actively encourages the understanding of neuro-diversity across the School and is involved in promoting teaching, learning and assessment strategies that are inclusive at point of design. Central acknowledges and is committed to a School-wide approach to supporting neuro-divergent students.
The Neuro-Inclusion and Disability Service offers:
- Reasonable Adjustments during the audition/interview process
- Free dyslexia and/or dyspraxia 60-minute screening appointments with specialist tutors
- Dyslexia and/or dyspraxia diagnostic appointments (to the cost of the student, but with financial support available from the School)
- Dyslexia and/or dyspraxia diagnostic feedback appointments
- AD(H)D educational diagnostic assessment (to the cost of the student, but with financial support available from the School)
- Assistance to students with applications to their funding body (Disabled Students Allowance (DSA))
- Support with booking DSA funded needs assessments
- 1:1 In-house specialist study-skills support
- 1:1 In-house mentoring
- Sharing information to relevant academic and non-academic departments across Central via Reasonable Adjustment Alerts / Plans
Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA)
If you have a disability or specific learning difference and you are a home student, you may be eligible for a DSA. The DSA is a government fund which can provide support with your studies. This support may include specialist software, ergonomic aids and/or 1:1 specialist skills tuition. This is tailored to each individual, so you may find that someone else with the same disability as you receives a different ‘support package’.
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. Our in-house support has received consistently positive feedback.
“I feel like for the first time in my academic career I haven’t felt like I’m drowning in work that I don’t know how to get started on or figure out. I am able to feel like it’s possible to develop and submit some of my best work” MA Student, 22/23
If you require further information about the DSA application process, or any further information on support for Neuro-divergent students or Disability support at Central, please contact the NDS service via email on NDS@cssd.ac.uk to arrange a telephone or face to face appointment with one of the NDS team.
Contact Us
Email: NDS@cssd.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7449 1624
“The support and guidance has always been invaluable… if you are lucky enough to have access to the service, use it!”
“I profusely believed in my first year that I wasn’t dyslexic. If the NDS had not been friendly and approachable with their free no hassle screenings, I would not have entertained the idea.”