North East Regional Assessment Centre (NERAC)
What is NERAC?
NERAC was set up in 1996 and is one of the UK's longest established assessment centres.
NERAC provides assessments for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) to students in Higher Education.
- Link to Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) web page.
NERAC assessments look at a student's individual learning support needs in relation to their course and might include:
- the use of technology
- support workers
- mentors
- ergonomic study environments.
NERAC assessors aim to recommend the best possible combination of learning support and guidance appropriate to each student. The assessor produces a customised report which is sent to the student and the student's funding body.
- See the NERAC Banner Stand (PDF).
What happens at an assessment?
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Assessments are conducted on a one-to-one basis in assessment rooms equipped with up-to-date technology and ergonomic accessories. They usually take between 2-3 hours.
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The Assessor's approach is professional but very relaxed and friendly as they focus on learning and support needs in the context of a student's chosen course of study.
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Assessments are interactive - anyone undertaking an assessment will get opportunities to ask questions and experiment with, or have equipment demonstrated to them
Staff experience
NERAC staff have many years of assessing experience along with a wide range of professional expertise and skills.
NERAC can assess a wide range of needs including:
- visual impairment
- deafness
- mental health
- debilitating conditions
- physical disabilities (including mobility, dexterity and co-ordination)
- multiple disabilities and impairments (including conditions that are not readily apparent)
- aspergers spectrum and autism
- specific learning difficulties - SpLD (including dyslexia and dyspraxia).
