If you intend to continue in full time education after school or FE college, teachers and career officers can advise you which university will be suitable. They can also find out about access, facilities and contacts for students with disabilities through ECCTIS, the database with up-to-date information on courses and vacancies in higher education.

England and Wales The Charters for Further and Higher Education explain what you may expect from a college if you are a student with a learning difficulty or disability. You can get copies in Braille and on audio tape from the Department of Education and Employment Publications Centre. Tel: 0845 602 2260.

Bilingual English / Welsh versions of the Charters are available in Wales from the Welsh Office. Tel: 02920 826079. Individual colleges also publish their own charters

Wales

Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. Tel: 02920 761861

Scotland

The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) publishes Access to Success, a guide containing advice for students with a disability on applying to and studying in higher education in Scotland. Tel: 0131 313 6500

You can get information on courses in further education in Scotland from the individual colleges.

GrantsPeople with learning difficulties and disabilities have the same rights to grants from local education authorities and student loans as other students. Grants are usually only available for people in higher education. In addition you may be eligible for one or more of the disabled students’ allowances, if your disability makes it more expensive to take a course.The allowances are: the Non-medical Personal Helper Allowance, the Equipment Allowance and the General Allowance for other extra costs.You can also get an extra allowance if you have higher travel expenses for a course because of a disability. Sometimes you may be able to claim social security benefits.‘Student Grants and Loans’: a brief guide to Higher Education Students– Department for Education and Employment Publications Centre. Tel: 0845 602 2260‘It’s your Choice’, from Careers and Occupational Centre, Moorfoot, Sheffield S1 4PQ, sets out the choices facing students at the end of year 11 and contains advice for young people with disabilities. Welsh language version Chi Biau’r Denis from Welsh Office. Tel: 02920 826 079In Scotland you can apply for assistance for advanced level courses from the Student Award Agency for Scotland. A Disabled Student’s Allowance is available with three elements: the basic grant; an equipment allowance; and a non-medical personal help allowance.

The Snowdon Award Scheme may provide bursaries to help physically disabled students, preferably between 17-25 years of age, with additional costs of further education for students with a disability eg. Computers, carers, notetakers, readers, specialist equipment. Bursaries of up to £1,500 may be awarded for one or two years. Tel: 01403 211252

Apply to your local education authority. In Scotland apply to your local authority for non-advanced courses. For advanced courses apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Tel: 0131 476 8212

Skill (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) is a voluntary organisation which promotes equality in education, training and employment for disabled people. Phone the Information Service, Tel: 0800 328 5050 (voice) or 0800 068 2422 (text) Skill publishes a range of factsheets and publications, including:

Financial Assistance for Students with Disabilities in Higher EducationFinancial Assistance for students with Disabilities in Further EducationHigher Education and Disability: a guide

Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: a guide for staff

For a full list of publications and information sheets, contact:Skill, Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW

The RNIB provides advice and support for blind and partially sighted students in further and higher education through a team of regional Student Support Service Advisers. It works with students at specialist and mainstream colleges. Services include guidance on choosing educational options and study skills to cope with course material.Tel: London & South East: 01733 370777 text 2379Central: 0121 631 3372North: 0151 255 0562South West: 01392 493643Scotland: 0131 313 1877

Open Learning open or distance learning gives you access to educational material and allows you to develop knowledge and skills at your own pace and at a time and place to suit your self. Your TEC / LEC may be able to make arrangements and tell you about grants.The National Extension College is a non profit making educational charity providing 150 home study courses including GCSE, ’A’ level, degrees, vocational and leisure interest courses. Disabled people or people caring for someone with a disability may be able to obtain bursaries to help with the cost of fees. For Guide to Courses ring Customer Service. Tel: 01223 316644The Open University offers a full range of degree and other courses, combining home study with tuition and group discussion at local study centres. Some courses have a weekend or one-week residential school. Each student has a tutor. The wide range of services for disabled students includes: assistance at residential school, transcripts, cassette tapes, study weekends, specialised equipment. Tel: 01908 635745; Text: 01908 655978

The University for Industry (UfI) will be an organisation for open and distance learning. Expected to become fully operational late in 1999, it will help people and businesses to identify the learning they need, and to access high quality learning opportunities in the right form, in the right place, at the right time. To achieve this, it will foster greater use of information and communication technologies

Free and confidential information and advice on learning and careers opportunities is available from the National Learning Direct helpline. Tel: 0800 100900

TECs and LECs

Work-based training for young people, and work-based training for adults are the Government’s training programmes. Training and the Enterprise Councils (TECs) deliver them in England and Wales. Local Enterprise Companies (LECs) in Scotland deliver equivalent provision in Skillseekers and Training for Work.

Work-based training for young people offer broad based vocational training and work experience. All 16 and 17 year olds who are not in full-time education or employment are guaranteed a suitable training place.. This applies to those over 18 if entry has been delayed due to disability or a health problem.

Work-based training for adults helps long-term unemployed people, aged 25-63, find work and improve their work skills. Disabled people can join the programme immediately and have priority for suitable training places.

TECs and LECs can provide extra help such as special equipment, communication support, and adaptations to premises. Many TECs and LECs have a member of staff responsible for equal opportunities and service for people with special needs.

Contact the local Careers Service for work-based training for young people and your Jobcentre for Work-based training for adults and equivalent in Scotland.