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A simple way to make a form dyslexia friendly (or as friendly as possible) is to make it clearly sequential. i.e. element one, followed by element two and so on. No boxes in boxes in brackets in boxes, and sub clauses. Just each required piece of information simply requested one after the other. Another is to put it online to allow use of screen readers (and a smart online form will point out missed information before you go to the next page. Anyone know if the forms are online? Speaking as a dyslexic the difference between filling in tax returns (for example) online and on paper is approximately two days! Best Phil Phil Teare, Owner, Read-e Curriculum Online Registered Content Provider, Extraordinary solutions for extraordinary people http://www.Read-e.com 0800 8496760 (UK) or 01144 208 4452871 (US) ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Conway" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 4:55 PM Subject: Re: [DIS-FORUM] Low number of DSA applications Following the recent extensive discussion over the fact that DSA forms are not available in braille, large print or other alternative formats, this issue of complex forms designed to defeat dyslexics just adds to the insult offered to disabled people. Is it really beyond the wit of the DfES and the like to come up with a simple system - after all most of the information is already widely available within the UCAS forms - names, addresses, university, course applied for etc. as well as the Student Loan forms. Could not a system like UCAS provide a pre-completed form for both Student Loan and DSA application? Save ALL of us a load of grief! -----Original Message----- From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sharron Sturgess Sent: 11 October 2005 16:49 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Low number of DSA applications Dyslexics are certainly not bottom of the list - you are my list!! Seriously my heart does drop when I have to explain you have to fill this form, or have this assessment. By the way we are also still busy at L'boro with NNAC assessments. Sharron Sturgess ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charlotte Hatton-Smith" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 2:29 PM Subject: Re: Low number of DSA applications The down of numbers i definatley agree is due to the time it takes, form filling etc... and plus if its a student who has been assessed as dyslexic, you then have to be assessed again at college. As a student whos been through the process, I felt that as a dyslexic I was'nt as important as others with a disablily, the bottom of the list. Going through a half day assessment, completing lots of forms to get to a dead end with lack of advice or equipment avalible. All the time, processes and lack of funding just makes a student think, is it worth it? -----Original Message----- From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Sharron Sturgess Sent: 11 October 2005 13:34 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Low number of DSA applications It doesn't help that students have to be registered with the loans company to apply for DSA. I have had to refer quite a number of students to their LEAs to get a PN1 form before they can even do a DSA 1 form. Then there is the rigmoral of reassuring them that they don't need to actually take out the loan just apply for it, and they won't have to pay any of the DSA back - it is a grant not a loan etc etc. And then I refer then to student welfare for help with the loans form because it is not my area of expertise. I have also had a lot of freshers who need up to date evidence (because the specialist teacher/SENCO exam thingy won't satisfy LEAs) which is delaying them being able to apply for DSA, and freshers who simply didn't know about DSA at all for whatever reason (even though we would have sent them info about it at some point). So yes a large part of my start of term has been providing 'more assistance and encouragement' to students to apply for DSA, whilst still putting as much support as possible into place. Sharron Sturgess Loughborough Uni ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bryan Jones" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 1:09 PM Subject: Low number of DSA applications > Dear all > > There seem to be less students applying for DSA this year. The NNAC > Assessment Centres in the south, who do a lot of external assessments, > have noticed that there are less students calling for assessments this > year. I've also spoken to a few LEA awards officers who have also seem > to think that numbers of students applying for DSA are down. Either > there are less students with disabilities coming into HE this year, or > something is causing students to hold back applying for DSA. Many LEAs > are now requiring full time students to fill in some sections of the DSA > 1 form (normally used for PG or PT students) and return it. It seems > that not all students are doing so happily. Perhaps with all the other > forms they have to complete the DSA 1 is a step too far for many, > obviously with the inevitable consequence that they don't get DSA > support they need or it is delayed. Might be worth being aware that > some students may need some encouragement, assistance with the > increasing amount of red tape associated with applying for support. > > > Bryan Jones, > Manager, Disability Support Services > & North London Regional Access Centre, > Middlesex University > Tel: 020 8411 5366 > > "Organisations are able to welcome all Dolphin Pen users by making their systems Dolphin Friendly. Simply download the free Dolphin Interceptor from the Dolphin website, to make your systems 'Dolphin Friendly'." 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