RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

Assessment of need makes sure that you have equal access to studies. The assessment of need process includes:

  • deciding what should be done by your university in order to support you
  • agreeing what can be paid for by Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA).
  • giving a report telling you what equipment, such as computer, radio aid will be provided, what communciation support will be provided and what changes your university will make to provide equal access to studying.

Who will carry out the assessment?

Your funding body should tell you where you can have the assessment of need. It is best to go to an accredited assessment centre. Most assessment centres are based at universities but some are completely independent. If there is an assessment centre at the university you will be attending, it is usually best to be assessed there.

Your assessor should be registered to carry out assessments of need and will have had training and supervision to take on this role.

What will happen in the assessment?

You should have a friendly and relaxed interview with an ssessor. It is not a test. She or he will ask you questions about: 

  • your educational background
  • how deafness affects you
  • what support you have had in the past
  • the course you will be studying
  • what support is available at university
  • what support you would like at university.

If you need some equipment, you should be given a chance to test it at the assessment centre.

The whole assessment will usually last between 1 and 2 hours.

What happens after the assessment?

Your assessor will send you a report, which should match what you both agreed in the interview.

  • You will need to check the report, sign it and return it as quickly as possible so that it can be sent to your funding body to be approved.
  • You are allowed to make changes if there is something wrong with the report.
  • You are allowed to ask for additions to the recommendations if you have thought of something since your interview.
  • If equipment has been recommended then the report should include full quotations from recommended suppliers for the equipment.

If you are happy with the report, the assessment centre will send copies to your funding body and to the disability office at your university.

  • The funding body has the final decision and will contact you to let you know that the report has been agreed.
  • It will also let you know how to buy the equipment you were recommended.
  • The disability office should start to put the recommendations in place ready for when you start at university.

See an example of the report (PDF 280 KB) (opens new browser window)