Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December 2018 to Question 199285, whether support recommended through student needs assessments for students with visual impairments is required to be paid for by those students.

Study needs assessments identify the type and level of support required for a student to access their course. This includes the support available from the student’s higher education provider (HEP), and the help available via Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs).

Students should not be required to pay for reasonable adjustments provided by their HEP, or for support recommended by DSAs up to the maximum amount available for each allowance, with the exception of providing a £200 contribution towards computer hardware should this be recommended.