1. DSSG Presentation Applying for Accreditation as a validated institution for Needs Assessment recognised by SAAS 1 April 2009 Lande Wolsey: Head of Student Services, QMU Jo Jebb: Disability Adviser, QMU

2. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh Brand new campus located in south east Edinburgh Brand new campus located in south east Edinburgh Strong green and sustainable credentials Strong green and sustainable credentials Focus: Health Sciences, Business, Drama, Social Subjects Focus: Health Sciences, Business, Drama, Social Subjects Currently 4,250 FTE students Currently 4,250 FTE students

3. QMU: DSA Numbers 2007 2008 2007 2008: 10% percentage of disclosed disabled students 149 DSA applications 75 new applicants requiring Needs Assessment 56 of these (75%) SpLD

4. QMU: Perceived Advantages Improved Service to disabled students Improved Service to disabled students Delays in Access Centre ‘queue’ reduced Delays in Access Centre ‘queue’ reduced Rapid response especially for PG students and those on a one year course Rapid response especially for PG students and those on a one year course In-house institutional knowledge available In-house institutional knowledge available Raising the profile of disability in the institution Raising the profile of disability in the institution Increase collaborative support cross-institution Increase collaborative support cross-institution Commercial income for institution Commercial income for institution Opportunity for staff development & progression Opportunity for staff development & progression

5. WHO will be involved WHO Senior Management Team Day – Day in Institution Who Else in Institution In-House NA Student Cohort External NA contacts SMT: Senior Manager: Registry/SS SMT: Senior Manager: Registry/SS Day-Day: Key staff in DS - key points of job remit, qualifications, skills, experience Day-Day: Key staff in DS - key points of job remit, qualifications, skills, experience Who else: Academic staff, Support staff, Support networks, evidence of a wide range of cross-institutional collaboration Who else: Academic staff, Support staff, Support networks, evidence of a wide range of cross-institutional collaboration In-House NA: SpLD –0708 DSA applicant figures to determine numbers, included all FA’s, non SpLD to Access Centre In-House NA: SpLD –0708 DSA applicant figures to determine numbers, included all FA’s, non SpLD to Access Centre External: wide ranging contacts – Pre-entry contact, Previous institutions, Persons who confirm need, Funding Authorities, Disability Organisations generic and specific, IT trainers, Equipment Suppliers, Access Centre External: wide ranging contacts – Pre-entry contact, Previous institutions, Persons who confirm need, Funding Authorities, Disability Organisations generic and specific, IT trainers, Equipment Suppliers, Access Centre SS: Student Services / DS: Disability Service / NA Needs Assessment

6. QMU: Current Procedures Initial Meeting Confirmation of Need Individual Learning Plan Reasonable Adjustments and Assessment Arrangements Determine if Needs Assessment required Referral to DSA Assessor……… Disclosure & Confidentiality Medical Evidence Ed Psych Evidence Academic Schools, Registry, Student Services, Information Services, Learning Resource Centre, Estates and Facilities, Effective Learning Service, Shop DSA Assessment In-House/Access Centre SpLD or other

7. QMU: Proposed Procedures Toolkit for Quality Indicators Administration Documents RoomingStaffing Storage Publicity Step by step itemisation of process and report compilation Full suite of associated documents Confidential space & dedicated equipment Appropriately qualified and experienced staff Secure space for confidential documents Student Services literature & website

8. QMU: Support Strategies Support Strategies Knowledge Base Appropriately Qualified Staff Collaboration with DSSG, DSANET, NADP, Access Centre Disability Coordinators, HR Assistive Technology Information Services DSA Assessor CPD Links with suppliers Demonstration/ evaluation during Needs Assessment Non Medical Personal Help SpLD Support Adviser Student Services & Registry External Agencies NMPH External Tutor Team External Organisations

9. QMU: Institutional Context QMU Mission Statement Strategic Planning Documents QELTA Disability Equality Scheme QMU Policy Documents QMU Internal Committees/ Fora Network of Key Staff in Academic Schools Support Services Student Services & Appropriate Activity Planning

10. QMU: student-centred information Clarify responsibilities of student and Assessor Clarify each step of the assessment process Give clear timescale of events Ensure process is tracked effectively

11. QMU: Quality Assurance Institutional Mechanisms Institutional Mechanisms QMU Governance & Regulations handbook QMU Governance & Regulations handbook Validation and Review Monitoring process Validation and Review Monitoring process Student Services ‘matrix’ standard Student Services ‘matrix’ standard Within Student Services Within Student Services Feedback and evaluation Feedback and evaluation Comments from wider Student Survey Comments from wider Student Survey Disability Service in-house evaluation exercise Disability Service in-house evaluation exercise

12. Summary: in a nutshell Answer every point raised in validation invitation Answer every point raised in validation invitation Do your homework - provide robust, comprehensive and detailed responses Do your homework - provide robust, comprehensive and detailed responses Demonstrate institutional support at all levels Demonstrate institutional support at all levels Be realistic about resources in place and ability to conduct assessment Be realistic about resources in place and ability to conduct assessment Highlight confidence in current institutional inclusive practice – build on this Highlight confidence in current institutional inclusive practice – build on this