Specific Learning Difficulties
Screening and Assessment
Coursework and Examinations
Access to your course
Other LISS Services
Specialist Tuition
Screening and Assessment
Learning, Information and Student Services (LISS) offers a screening and assessment service for students who experience specific learning difficulties (SpLD), but have no documentary evidence.
If you wish to be screened, you will need to download an electronic screening questionnaire. As soon as you have completed this form, save it as a Word document, attach it to an email, and send it to the appropriate email address below, depending where your course is based. Please use ‘Your Name: Screening Form’ as your subject title in the email.
Once you have submitted your questionnaire you will be contacted about progressing to the next stage of screening.
If the screening reveals indications of a specific learning difficulty then an appointment can be booked with an Educational Psychologist for a full diagnostic assessment.
If you have prior documentary evidence of a SpLD, please make an appointment with a LISS Adviser (Learning Development) to discuss your support needs. Please bring a copy of your evidence to the meeting.
If you wish to arrange your own assessment, then it is important that the assessment meets the criteria set out in the DfES Working Party Guidelines in order for you to access funding for support. You can make an appointment to discuss this with a LISS Adviser (Learning Development).
In order to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances you will need documentary evidence in the form of a diagnostic report which:
• was carried out at age 16+
• was carried out by a suitably qualified person such as a psychologist or specialist teacher holding AMBDA or equivalent, with a practising certificate
• contains detailed information on results obtained from tests recommended in the SpLD Working Group report, in the format recommended in that report
• states clearly whether or not you have a specific learning difficulty
• states how the difficulties eg. reading, writing, short term memory, etc will impact on study in higher education
• makes recommendations concerning the support necessary to enable you to undertake your chosen course of study
• makes recommendations for reasonable adjustments, where appropriate, in examinations and course assessment
Full details can be obtained from your funding body
A top-up reassessment can be arranged for students with formal evidence which does not meet the DfES guidelines, on the same basis as an assessment. Alternatively SpLD assessors can be found through the following websites:
www.bps.org
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
www.patoss-dyslexia.org
Coursework and Examinations
You may be entitled to reasonable adjustments in examinations, such as extra time, use of a computer, provision of a reader or amanuensis (the use of a scribe).
You will need to contact LISS as soon as possible following the start of the academic year to ensure that these reasonable adjustments are in place before your first assessment. Please refer to the Examinations and Assessment Procedures in the Student Handbook.
Where the recommendations for examinations are for standard provision, for example extra time, the use of a separate room, a computer or use of a non programmable hand-held spell checker, these will be automatically approved and provided by SaMIS on behalf of the Board of Examiners. Requests or recommendations for other provision or facilities will be referred to the Board of Examiners for consideration.
Your work will be marked according to the University of Cumbria Guidelines for Good Assessment Practice.
The guidelines explain that reasonable adjustments are made, as necessary, at the stage of setting and completing assessment tasks or exams so that students with SpLD have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their learning outcomes. Therefore, marking is not adjusted for students with SpLD.
Access to your course
With your permission, a member of the LISS Team will write to your Programme Leader, asking them to inform your course tutors of your SpLD, and your need for reasonable adjustments. Where possible, lecturers will provide copies of notes in advance of lectures, if they are not available on Blackboard. You are encouraged to discuss all your learning needs with your Course Tutors and PAT (Personal and Academic Tutor). If you experience any difficulties you should contact the LISS service desk on your campus.
Some students find it helpful to record lectures. If you wish to record a lecture, please check with the tutor in case, for example, there are any issues of confidentiality.
Other LISS Services
LISS provide a wide range of resources on both specific learning difficulties and study skills. They also offer a wide range of online tutorials, leaflets and face to face workshops to support you in your learning. You can also book an individual library induction. These are designed to save you time by learning how to search efficiently and improve your marks by using properly evaluated materials.
Extended loans
You may borrow and renew one week loans for two weeks and three hour loans for a double slot. We can arrange this for you.
Receipts for consumables
You can obtain a receipt for purchase of the following, and if you receive Disabled Students’ Allowances then you may be able to claim reimbursement:
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photocopying and printing
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coloured paper
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batteries
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data storage (eg memory sticks)
Specialist Tuition
The University of Cumbria provides specialist study skills tuition for students with SpLD. Contact LISS to make an appointment for either face to face or e-tuition. The cost for the tuition is reclaimed from your funding body. The number of hours funded is recommended by your needs assessor. You can find further information on accessing specialist e-tuition in the FAQs.
Tuition can help with the following:
• Understanding your learning style
• Research techniques
• Understanding more about your memory
• Planning written work or presentations
• Essay writing
• Effective use of IT
• Use of colour
• Developing proofreading skills
• Critical / analytical thinking
• Mind mapping
• Time management
• Organisational skills
• Oral presentations
• Revision techniques and exam preparation
• Note making
• Referencing and bibliographies