Disabled Students’ Allowance: your new academic year checklist

Getting your DSA support sorted before term starts makes a real difference to how the first few weeks feel. This checklist covers everything you need to confirm before week one: from checking your DSA approval and equipment delivery through to setting up your assistive technology for students and testing it before your first lecture lands.

Before term starts: Getting your DSA support confirmed

DSA applications and assessments take time, and induction week is the worst moment to be chasing paperwork. Getting your DSA support confirmed before term means your equipment, software, and non-medical helper support are in place when you actually need them.

Applying for DSA if you have not already

Applying for DSA requires medical evidence or a diagnostic report confirming your disability or health condition. The process typically takes several weeks from application to Needs Assessment to approval, so applying early is strongly advisable. Late applicants can still apply once term has started, and your disability services team can advise on interim arrangements.

What to check once your DSA support is approved

Once your DSA support is approved, confirm your Needs Assessment report has come through and check exactly what has been funded. Equipment, non-medical helper support, and software are each allocated separately. Make sure delivery or access has been arranged before the term starts, and chase up anything outstanding early.

How to plan your school year around your support

An academic year planner is one of the most useful tools you can use before term begins. Block out your term dates and flag the weeks where reading loads and assignment deadlines peak. These are the periods where your DSA support will matter most, so make sure any scheduled sessions are booked before those weeks arrive. Note-taker and mentoring slots fill quickly at the start of term. Use an academic school year planner to map it all out before week one.

Setting Up Your Assistive Technology

The first week of term is the wrong time to install software and create accounts. Set up your assistive technology for students before lectures start, when you have time to troubleshoot and personalise your settings properly. Download everything, create your accounts, check it works across your devices, and run a test on a sample document before your reading list arrives. A little setup time now saves significant frustration later.

Testing Tailo before classes begin

If Tailo is part of your DSA support package, here is how to test it before your first lecture:

• Log in to your Tailo account at tailoapp.com and complete the initial setup
• Upload a test document, such as a PDF from last year
• Try the Summaries feature to check it is working as expected
• Open Read Aloud and adjust the voice and speed to what feels comfortable
• Check the Customise settings. Adjust font, spacing, and background colour
• Save a project and add your test document so you know how Projects works before your reading list lands

Getting familiar with Tailo before the pressure is on means you can focus on your reading when term starts, not your tools.

DSA Checklist for the New Term

Work through these before week one:

• Confirm your DSA support is approved and check your Needs Assessment report
• Verify what has been funded: equipment, software, and non-medical helper support
• Chase equipment delivery if anything has not arrived yet
• Register with your university’s disability services team if you have not already
• Book scheduled support sessions (note-taker, study mentor) before induction week
• Use an academic year planner to flag peak deadline weeks
• Install and set up all assistive technology for students before your first lecture
• Test Tailo with a sample document and personalise your settings before your reading list arrives