Allowances
for Disabled Students Help with Computers and
other Technology
Education is
an important part of any individual’s life and it is no different for a
disabled
person. Education and qualifications can open doors and change a
person’s
life by allowing them to compete in a market which is not always
balanced in
their favour. The increased use of
technology has
become a much used and powerful tool for people with disabilities,
allowing
access to more information and opportunities.
By educating
and equipping people with the right tools and skills they become
empowered;
improving their independence, dignity and self-esteem and allowing them
to
compete equally in an ever-demanding world.
Telephone:
01480 379100
Fax: 01480
379127 E-mail: college@huntingdon.ac.uk
The college
provides the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects with many
leading to
qualifications. There is a wide range of provision for students with
learning
difficulties or disability.
A range of
vocational and qualification courses for adults are provided at the
following
sites. Some operate only in the evening:
Tel: 01480
379227
High Leys
St. Ives
Cambs
PE27 6RR
Telephone: 01480
495717
Fax: 01480
375444
St. Neots
Cambs PE19
1LQ
Tel: 01480
353535
Web: www.longsands.cambs.sch.uk Email (general enquiries) enquiries@longsands.cambs.sch.uk
Cambridgeshire County Council
ALDD Co-ordinator
Room ELH1101,
Telephone:
01223 718484
Email: susan.davies@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
The team
develops and supports learning opportunities for people with physical,
sensory
and learning disabilities, those recovering from mental illness, the
elderly
and carers. With a regional coordinator
based within
the
Michael Young
Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge,CB2 8HN
Telephone:
01223 400200 (Main switchboard)
Website: www.nec.ac.uk
E-mail:
info@nec.ac.uk
The NEC offers
a wide range of correspondence courses for home study with tuition
support. The
Special Needs Scheme may offer grants to disabled students to cover
part or all
of the course fees. The NEC also offers the Carers
into Education project aimed specifically at helping unpaid carers
further their education. For more details contact Sue Crowley on 01223
400387
or E-mail: sue.crowley@nec.ac.uk
Walton Hall,
Telephone:
01908 653745
Textphone:
01908 655978
Email: osdwh@open.ac.uk
The Open
University offers degree and other courses combining home study with
tuition and
other teaching methods. A wide range of assistance is available for
disabled
students.
Chapter House,
Telephone:
0207 450 0620
Fax: 0207 450
0650
Email:
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Advice Line:
0800 3285050 Tues 11.30-1.30 Thur
1.30-3.30 Email: info@skill.org.uk
A
national charity which aims to develop opportunities for young people
and adults with special needs in further, higher and adult education,
training
and employment.
Barford
Road, Ernulf Community School, St Neots,
PE19 2SH
Telephone:
01480 374748
Fax: 01480
375150
An
inclusive school on a level site.
Telephone:
01480 375814/372600
Fax: 01480
375733 E-mail: studentassessment.service@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
The Student
Assessment Service co-ordinate the statutory assessment process and
maintain
statements of special educational needs.
Disabled
Resource Centre, Keynes House,
Telephone:
01223 332301
Fax: 01223
766863
Website: www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/disability/
The advisers
provide support to prospective and existing students and staff who have
a
disability or chronic illness.
Workers’
Education Association Eastern District (WEA)
Cintra House,
Telephone:
01223 350978
Fax: 01223
300911 Website: www.wea.org.uk
WEA provide
informal courses with expert tuition for adults of all ages including
disabled
people, carers, the unemployed or retired.
20 St
Benedict’s Court,
Tel: 01480
376800
Fax: 01480
376810
Website: http://www.connexions-direct.com/
Shire Hall,
Tel: 01223
712800
Fax: 01223
712801
Website: www.connexionscp.co.uk
Connexions
freephone: 0800 56 13219
Connexions
provide guidance for young people between the ages of 13 – 19 in
further
education, training and employment. Connexions promotes
equal opportunities across the organisation.
Huntingdon
Library Learning Centre, Dryden
House,
Tel: 01480
375015
Website: www.learndirect.co.uk
Centre has
wheelchair access and disabled facilities.
Learn Direct
provides a wide range of online courses designed to help people learn
at a
time, place and pace that suits their individual needs. Students can
learn at
home or at one of a number of centres
around the
country. Skills for Life courses are free but other courses require
payment.
Check with your local centre to find out about cost and availability of
courses.
Cannon House,
Telephone: 01480 436753
Fax: 01733 261165
Email: enquiry@businessforpeople.org.uk
Website: www.businessforpeople.org.uk
business for people is a guidance,
training and employment support service offering occupational and
business
management services to individuals, employers and service purchasers. Centre has wheelchair access and disabled
facilities
Branching Out,
Tel: 01353
863221
Fax: 01353
863561
Web: www.branchingoutuk.net Email:
reception@branchingoutuk.net
Branching Out
provides opportunities for people with disabilities and learning
difficulties
wishing to gain work experience in retail, catering, recycling of
computers,
wood, horticulture and the making of garden furniture. Branching Out
also
provides training in daily living skills.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898
DSAs help
with costs you incur when attending your course, as a direct result of
your
disability.
DSAs are
available to full-time and part-time students with disabilities,
although
part-time students must be studying at least 50% of a full-time course.
DSAs are available to both undergraduates
and
postgraduates. How much you can get does not depend on your income or
that of
your household. Unlike a student loan, this assistance does not have to
be
repaid. Depending on your needs, extra support could include specialist
equipment, a non-medical helper’s allowance, help towards the
additional
costs of travelling to your institution
and a general
allowance.
Department for
Children, Schools and Families, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith
Street, London
SW1P 3BT
Helpline: 080
810 16 2 19
Website: http://ema.direct.gov.uk/ema.html
If you decide to stay on at school or go to college , you may be able to get an Education Maintenance Allowance. The EMA is a weekly payment worth up to £30 for eligible students who are 16-18 with the possibility of an extra year in special circumstances. The weekly payments are intended to help cover the day-to-day costs that you have to meet when staying on at school or college, such as travel, books and equipment for your course. For further information phone the helpline, write to the above address for a leaflet or look on the website.
Telephone:
0800 269545
Email: enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
Website: www.abilitynet.org.uk
Upper
Telephone: 0800
269545
Through its
national office and regional partners, AbilityNet
provides specialist help for people with a disability to enable them to
use a
computer at home, in education or in employment.
HEL333,
Telephone: 0845 196 2378
Website: www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/central/earac.html
Email: dsa@anglia.ac.uk
The centre
enables access to technology for individuals with physical and/or
communication
impairments and offers assessments for students in higher education. It
helps organise training, with various
access devices and a range
of software.
BCAB
(C/O RNIB), 58-72 John Bright Street, Birmingham, B1 1BN
Telephone:
0845 430 8627
Website: www.bcab.org.uk
E-mail: info@bcab.org.uk
(general enquiries). For information on training courses, use training@bcab.org.uk
BCAB promotes
use of computers by visually impaired people. Please address general
enquiries
to the Secretary.
Hester Adrian
Centre,
Telephone:
01223 300407 or 0845 458 0192
Web: www.cambridgeonline.org.uk
Email:
help@cambridgeonline.org.uk
Cambridge OnLine provides opportunities for people with
disabilities
to gain free access to a variety of alternative equipment, computers
and the
Internet by offering advice, training and support in the Cambridgeshire
area.
Not to be confused with cambridgeonline.co.uk which
is a city
directory.