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About Us
We have a team of assessors with over 75 years of experience cumulatively in supporting students through the DSA. We have worked at a number of access centres across the UK including CLASS, the longest established needs assessment centre where the DSA was pioneered.
Our assessors are DBS-compliant, up-to-date with CPD, knowledgeable and friendly! We are based throughout the UK and have expertise across all types of disability and neurodiversity.
Matt Cook
Centre Manager
Matt has worked as a DSA assessor for 16 years and has a postgraduate qualification in Adult Dyslexia Diagnosis and Support. He is the liaison for continuing students and takes care of the administrative side of the business. He will be your first point of contact regarding bookings and queries.
Emma Price
Assessor
Emma is currently both a DSA Needs Assessor with over 15 years experience of working with research-based universities and a Disability Adviser at the University of the Arts. Emma has provided Needs Assessments and advice to funding bodies including RCUK, SFE, SFW and SAAS, as well as Disability Teams for international students seeking more detailed support. Emma has strong knowledge of the sector and positive relationships with numerous universities. Emma has specialist training in Autism and a background in equipment for Deaf students. A keen mountain runner, swimmer and adventure events volunteer regularly spotted in the Snowdonia hills.
Polly Bowman
Assessor
Polly has been a Needs Assessor within the Disabled Students Allowance for nearly 20 years, prior to which time she worked as an Assistive Technology Trainer. She has a wealth of experience supporting students to find effective solutions to help them manage the impact of a disability within education, empowering them to pursue their studies with an optimistic outlook. She lives in York with her husband and two young sons.
Clare Graham
Assessor
Clare has worked in higher education for 22 years and as a DSA Assessor for 12 years. She has extensive experience in supporting students with a range of requirements and has in-depth knowledge of funding authority processes across RCUK, SFE, SFW, SFNI and SAAS. She has completed a number of assessments for students with funding through the Research Council, and for international students who are attending courses in the UK. She has specialist knowledge of assistive technology to meet a variety of needs, and prior to joining the DSA sector, she completed a number of projects to improve support services for students with specific learning difficulties, autism and sensory impairments.
Shirley Appleby
Assessor
Shirley has over 20 years of experience as a Disabled Student Allowance Assessor having worked extensively through London and the South East. She is a Consultant Needs Assessor and specialises in supporting people with multiple complex conditions. Shirley has work in education and the workplace supporting the assistive technology needs of people with a wide range of complex conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, M.E. and Fibromyalgia as well as conditions such as Cancer, visual and hearing impairments including dual sensory loss, Mental ill-health, Epilepsy, Autism Spectrum Conditions, specific learning differences such as ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia; Asthma, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Eating Disorders, Heart conditions, Hypermobility Syndrome, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS), Migraines, Epilepsy, Scoliosis, Arthritis and in a few cases some or all of these conditions combined in the same person. In her spare time Shirley volunteers with The Scout Association as a Group Lead Volunteer, Trustee and Water Activities Permit holder. She manages a Sea Scout group with Beavers, Cubs and Scout sections and is currently fundraising and project managing a building renovation which will provide a group headquarters and a community centre in The Ice House in Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour.