This message from Ursula Iliffe is for assessors who carry out DSA assessments for disabled students in higher education students:

Sorry, this may not affect many of you but I know that not all assessors are yet aware of this meeting.  This is aimed those who carry out DSA related assessments in the Higher Education sector known as Assessment of Study Needs. Please pass on the information if it is not relevant to you.

For sometime there has been discussion of forming a professional association for Needs Assessors, also called Access Centre Assessors. Discussion have not lead to any firm action so far, so it was agreed to get as many assessors as possible together to discussion the issues/options.  We need to discuss the benefits of an association and what sort of association is required.  Access Centre managers are represented by NNAC. Several of those who carry out assessments  also have other roles such as Disability Officer for an institution, they will usually be represented by NADO. There is some possibility of assessors forming a sub-group of NADO, but many assessors would prefer to see a new association formed.

NOW is the time to have your say and make sure assessors are represented in the way you see fit. If you would like to catch up on the debate, much of it has been on a JISC list set up just for assessors called APNA: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/apna.html As you will see, there are a lot of postings and much to debate.

MEETING DETAILS:
Wednesday 29th June 2005  (expected to start late morning to allow travelling time)

University College Northampton, PARK Campus, Northampton
Just off the A508, accessible from M1 and A14 and Northampton has a direct rail link to London and Birmingham and other cities.

Please email [log in to unmask] if you would like to attend this meeting, require further information or need to discuss special requirements in relation to attending the meeting.

Regards
Ursula

Ursula Iliffe

Disabled Students Officer
(Assessments of Study Needs and IT Training)

Email [log in to unmask]

01604 89 2247
University College Northampton
Student Services -
committed to students achieving their full potential