What's New

Are you ready for the new Equality Act?

Book a place on one of Skill and NIACE's September seminars. Focused on disability the UK wide seminars are designed for staff working in the learning and skill sector. For more info go to the events page.

The 2010 adidas Women's 5K Challenge

The adidas Women’s 5K Challenge is a fun run for women of all ages taking place on 5th September 2010 in Hyde Park, London. Read about Skill's runners

Tell us what you think about benefits

Skill together with other disability charities are doing a survey to find out about your experiences of the benefits system. The results will help us show the Government the impact of proposed changes. For more info and to take the survey click here

Skill appoints new Chief Executive

The Trustees of Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities are pleased to announce they have appointed Benet Middleton to the post of Chief Executive as a successor to retiring CE Barbara Waters

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) applications awaiting more information 

The Student Loans Company have indicated that DSAs applications are being held up as students have either not been for their assessments or have not submitted their eligibility information.

Could this be you?  Don't delay

During the assessment the assessor will work with you to determine the support you will need while at university. The assessment report will tell the Student Loans Company what your DSAs should be spent on. To have support in place when you start college or university you will need to arrange an assessment as soon as possible.

If you need to find an assessment centre then go to the DSA QAG website at this link www.dsa-qag.org.uk

If you need advice or are having problems, contact the Skill Helpline on 0800 328 5050

Open Tuesdays 11.30am-1.30pm and Thursdays 1.30-3.30pm or email info@skill.org.uk

Social mentoring for students with autism in Higher Education 

University students with autism can apply Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to fund social support and mentoring. This was confirmed by the National Audit Office report Supporting people with autism through adulthood (hyperlink to www.nao.org.uk/publications/0809/autism.aspx). Page 10 of the Executive Summary states: “a support package for a student with autism can legitimately include social mentoring as well as course-related support”.

QAA podcast: supporting disabled students

Listen to the podcast featuring Dr Helen May and Professor Alan Hurst

Skill's Into Teaching video case study

See our video case study featuring Stuart Newton a disabled teacher in action in the classroom

Student Loans company-  Disabled Student Services bulletin

Read the latest bulletin

Into Higher Education 2011 available now from Skill's bookshop                                    

Skill's popular annual guide is now available to buy. The guide is essential reading for disabled students interested in applying to higher education and staff who advise students on their future choices. Click on this link to go to the Bookshop and choose 'Into series - career guides'.  We also have a limited number of copies to give away for free.  Go to the Bookshop for more information. 

The Future of Servicesfor Disabled Children Conference : Best Practice and Support

22nd September 2010 -  Central London

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Students and Young People

Workshops for students with Asperger Syndrome

Prospects, The National Autistic Society's employment service, are running a series of workshops aimed at students with Asperger syndrome. They can help you develop self-advocacy skills, develop skills for placements and internships and start planning your transition from University.

Volunteering with Skill

We have exciting opportunities for disabled people aged 16-25

Want to be a young community volunteer? Get involved

Subscribe to the Young Learners’ e-Newsletter

News, views and information for young people. Send us your stories and pictures for the next edition.

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Skill Events and Training

Annual post-16 conference

Tuesday 2 November, London

Annual higher education conference

Monday 29 -Tuesday 30 November, Leicester 

Disability Alliance training

Benefits and support for disabled students in higher education

Aimed at those who advise students in higher education, this one-day introductory course provides an overview of the benefits, loans and grants available to disabled students.
It provides practical ways to help students protect their benefit rights and maximise their entitlement.

When and where is it held?

Tuesday 19th October 2010 – Manchester
Wednesday 17th November 2010 - London

For more information and to down load a booking form go to our Courses and Workshops page

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