Needs Assessment Process

• What is a Needs Assessment?
• What is a LENS?

After the student has applied for the support online with the Disability Service, they have a needs assessment. Based on appropriate evidence of a disability and information obtained from the student on the impact of their disability and their academic course requirements, the Disability Staff member will identify supports designed to meet the student’s disability support needs. Following the Needs Assessment, the student’s Disability Officer prepares an Individual Learning Educational Needs Summary (LENS) detailing the Reasonable Accommodations to be implemented. The information outlined in the LENS is communicated to the relevant School via the student record in SITS.

For more on the Reasonable Accommodations decision-making process, please click here.

What is a Needs Assessment?

Individual needs assessments determine the level of support that students require. Based on appropriate evidence of a disability and information obtained from the student on the impact of their disability and their academic course requirements, the Disability Staff member will identify supports designed to meet the student's disability support needs.

The following areas are addressed:

1. Nature of disability or condition, to include: impact on education, severity, hospital admissions, etc.;
2. Treatment: any medication they are taking, outpatients' appointments, physiotherapy;
3. Previous support: what arrangements were made at secondary school, if any;
4. Current difficulties: what difficulties does the student anticipate they may have with their course;
5. Access to equipment and IT facilities;
6. Appropriate academic and disability support. These might include, for example, accessible class venues, in-course support, examination support arrangements, and extended library loans.

The Needs Assessment process also helps determine whether or not the student is eligible for additional disability support through relevant disability funding such as the HEA ESF Fund for Students with Disabilities for specialist disability support, assistive technology, and/or transport.

What is a LENS?

Following the Needs Assessment, the student’s Disability Officer prepares an Individual Learning Educational Needs Summary (LENS) detailing the Reasonable Accommodations to be implemented. The information outlined in the LENS is communicated to the relevant School via the student record in SITS.

LENS reports include the following information:

For more information on the types of support available, please click on the links below.