Needs Assessments

Academic Life

Articles for students and families transitioning into higher education.

Needs Assessments

  • AsIAm
  • 10/05/2021
  • 2 minutes read

A Needs Assessment helps figure out what supports or accommodations you might need at university, college, or an institute of technology.

If you applied through the DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) scheme, the Disability Support Service will usually contact you around the start of term to arrange your Needs Assessment.

If you didn’t apply through DARE, or if you haven’t been contacted by Disability Services within the first 4–6 weeks of the academic year, you should reach out to them yourself. It’s important to make yourself known to the service as soon as possible so they can help you access the right supports.

To carry out the assessment, you’ll be asked to provide documents that confirm your disability—such as a psychological report or medical letter. Based on this and the information you share, a Disability Support Officer will recommend the academic supports and accommodations that suit you best.

They’ll then create a Learning Education Needs Summary (LENS) Report, which outlines:

  • Your disability or condition
  • How it affects your studies
  • What accommodations you’re entitled to (e.g. extra time in exams, assistive tech, etc.)

With your permission, the LENS report is shared with your lecturers and relevant college departments to help put your supports in place.

What Happens During a Needs Assessment

You’ll meet with a Disability Support Officer. This is a relaxed conversation lasting approximately 1 hour. They’ll ask about things like:

  • What challenges you’ve faced in school previously
  • Supports you had in secondary school
  • What support you think you’ll need in college
  • Whether you use assistive technology
  • Your medical or sensory needs (if any)

They may also suggest helpful supports you haven’t thought of, like:

  • A note-taker or permission to record lectures
  • Extra time in exams
  • Help navigating campus
  • Study support
  • Library access accommodations

Preparing for Your Meeting

To help make the most of your Needs Assessment, it’s a good idea to write down some notes beforehand. This can help you remember everything you want to say and make sure your support needs are clearly understood.

You might want to include:

  • What worked well (or didn’t) in school
  • Any supports or tools you’ve used before
  • Specific challenges you think you’ll face in college
  • Questions or concerns you have about starting college
  • Any other conditions (e.g. ADHD, dyslexia) that may affect your learning

Bringing notes can make the conversation easier and ensure you don’t forget to mention anything important.

Why it’s Important

A Needs Assessment helps make sure you get the same access to education as everyone else. There are more supports available in college than in school—and many students find that the right accommodations make a big difference in their success and wellbeing.

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