Types of Support
Practical Support Assistant
This role provides practical and mobility support to assist a student with a physical impairment in manoeuvring around the campus. This could include helping to manipulate a wheelchair, carrying books, IT equipment etc. It could also include general orientation and finding out where things are located for students whose disability means that they have problems with orientation. It could also include ‘social support’ in order to ensure access to the wider aspects of student life, for example for a student on the autism spectrum who had difficulty with social interaction. While some of these tasks, such as carrying equipment for a student with mobility difficulties, will need to continue throughout a student’s course, others, such as general orientation, should decrease as the student becomes more able to manage independently.
Library Support Assistant
To search the library catalogues and electronic resources under the direction of the student. To locate, retrieve and carry academic library materials. To scan and photocopy library resources and, where necessary, locate study areas.
Reader/Proof Reader/Text Checker
To read academic texts aloud to the student or to record whilst reading. To read the student's work back to them, to assist with proof reading/ A proof reader will highlight and locate errors in the student's written work including grammar, punctuation and spelling. This is a non-contact role and can be provided via email. Please check with the student's institution before recommending this type of support.
Mobility Trainer
A qualified Mobility Trainer has the ability to support, motivate and encourage students to develop and achieve their full potential. You will have the ability to be sensitive to students’ needs and learning styles and should have an interest in and understanding of additional support needs.
Scribe
A Scribe is responsible for providing an accurate and legible handwritten record from the personal dictation of a student in examinations. Scribes may be asked to draw diagrams and read back material to the student on a one-to-one basis. The Scribe should also have an understanding of the subject area(s) they will be scribing for. A Scribe should be able to write legibly and at a reasonable speed.
Sighted Guide
To provide one-to-one mobility assistance to a student with a visual impairment helping them to navigate their way around campus.
Manual Note-taker
To produce a manual, legible and accurate set of notes from the student's lectures / seminars in the preferred format and style of the student. Notes can be transcribed into electronic format where appropriate.
Study Assistant
To provide a variety of roles where support is required for consecutive and irregular periods of time. Roles can include; assisting in finding appropriate solutions for queries and problems and to help reduce anxiety levels, manual note-taking, library assistants, practical assistants and orientation around campus.
Examination Support Assistant
To support the student during institutional exams, either reading text aloud to the student and/or writing down, word for word, the student's answers to exam questions.
Specialist Transcription Service
To transcribe from one format to another as recommended by the DSA Assessor. More specifically, to type hand written notes or assignments into an electronic format, to type up from audio recordings, to type as a student dictates their work aloud or to transcribe course related videos, summary notes or verbatim, always in the student's preferred style and format.
Electronic Note-taker
Speech-to-text specialist communication support provided by a qualified electronic note-taker. A set of live, comprehensive notes are typed in lectures, seminars, discussions etc. Notes are always in the students preferred style and format.
BSL Interpreter
Specialist communication support provided by a qualified British Sign Language Interpreter.
Specialist One-to-One Study Skills Support
Tutors work with students on a one-to-one basis developing academic competences such as organisation, exam preparation, research techniques and memory skills. Our tutors deliver literacy support in the areas of spelling, punctuation, grammar and accuracy of thought presentation. To promote independent learning as well as empowering the student to manage their work load. Study skills cannot be subject specific tuition, however, tutors can work with a student using course materials as a framework.
Specialist Mentor
Mentors work with students on a one-to-one basis addressing the barriers to learning created by a particular impairment e.g. mental health or autism spectrum conditions. Examples of these barriers include, coping with anxiety and stress, how to deal with concentration difficulties, time management, and creating a suitable work-life balance. Their role is to promote independent learning as well as empowering the student to manage their work load, especially during times of transition.
Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant
A vocational rehabilitation consultant helps people with physical, mental, developmental, and emotional disabilities live independently, get back to work and overcome the barriers within the workplace.
Assistive Technology Trainer
A trainer in assistive technology (software and hardware) to disabled people and people with specific learning differences including (dyslexia, AD(H)D, Asperger’s, autism, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia) in education or the workplace. Following an initial short assessment, delivers training according to the individual learner’s needs.
Communication Support Worker
Help students communicate. support learners by lip speaking and taking notes. interpret between spoken English and sign language. support learners to become more independent.
Specialist Support Professional (VI/HI/MSI)
A qualified teacher who has the ability to support, motivate and encourage students with a visual, hearing or multi-sensory impairment to develop and achieve their full potential.