Students And Parents

At the Student Support Portal we know you want to provide the best possible supports for your child. In order to do this you need access to appropriate resources and support strategies. One problem is that it can be difficult to find the appropriate resources and even when you do, they can quickly become out of date. This can leave you frustrated as you know there are supports out there that could be of benefit to your child, but you may not know where to find these or which ones are most appropriate for your child.

We believe that all parents should have ready access to these resources and we understand how difficult it is to keep up to date with the latest developments in assistive technology for students with additional needs or a disability. That is why we created the Student Support Portal.

Here is how it works:

1. Become a member of the Student Support Portal
2. Join the groups that are of interest to you. For example, we have specific groups for parents and those with parental responsibility for a child with additional needs.
3. Start to access the supports and resources you need.

Instead of searching for information and resources, join a community who are focused on giving you the support you need to help your child achieve their academic potential.

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)

Support for Specific Learning Difficulties
Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) is a term that refers to a difference or difficulty with the way information is learned and processed. Having a SpLD can have a significant impact on an individual’s education and learning and on the development of literacy skills.

SpLDs can co-exist as part of a wider profile and include;

1. Dyslexia
2. Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
3. Dyscalculia
4. Dysgraphia
5. Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or AD(H)D)

The Student Support Portal offers students, parents and teachers direct access to the world’s leading assistive software publishers and hardware manufacturers who specialise in providing supports to students who have Specific Learning Difficulties.
These supports include;

1. Composition
2. Hardware
3. Study Skills
4. Mindmapping
5. Notetaking / Recording
6. Speech to Text
7. Spelling and Grammar
8. Text to Speech

Software and Hardware

The Assistive Technologies (AT) featured on the Student Support Portal are products and services that empower disabled students to become more independent in their learning. While schools and colleges have a responsibility Under the Equality Act 2010, to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for students with additional needs and disabilities, there are many software and hardware solutions which can supplement and complement the strategies already available in the classroom or lecture hall.

The Student Support Portal team are constantly reviewing new and emerging enabling and learning technologies which we feel could be of benefit to our members.

The good news is that educational technology companies are constantly creating and developing new solutions which address specific disability related needs.

On the portal you will find reviews and interviews with the world’s leading publishers and manufacturers in areas such as;

1. Mind Mapping
2. Resilience and Wellbeing
3. Robotics
4. Audio Recording and Notetaking
5. SpLD Screeners
6. ASD support
7. Spelling and Grammar
8. Text to Speech
9. Speech to Text

As a member, you will receive regular discount codes and trial offers for many of the above products.

Teachers & Education Professionals

At the Student Support Portal we know you want to provide the best possible supports for your students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In order to do this you need access to appropriate resources and support strategies. One problem is that resources can quickly become out of date and it takes enormous amounts of time to regularly review and evaluate new solutions. This can leave you frustrated as you know there are supports out there that could be of benefit to your students.

We believe that Teachers and members of Boards of Governors should have ready access to these resources and understand how time consuming it can be to keep up to date with the latest developments in your sector.

That’s why we created the Student Support Portal.

Here is how it works:

1. Become a member of the Student Support Portal
2. Join the groups that are of interest to you. For example, we have specific groups for SENCOs, Principals and Boards of Governors members.
3. Start to access the supports and resources you need.

Stop spending your limited time searching for information, and join a community who are focused on giving you the support you need to help your students realise their academic potential.

Professional Development Courses

In partnership with Stranmillis University College and the Ulster University School of Education, the Student Support Portal can offer access to short-courses, post-graduate study and CPD.

Our partners offer a suite of learning courses to enhance and support education professionals at all levels on their career journey. The available professional development courses cover a broad spectrum of themes and levels including:

1. Leading Blended Learning: An evidence based approach
2. Developing a blended & technology enhanced learning course
3. SEN literacy and test administration
4. Professional practice
5. Leadership
6. Classroom Assistant Programme
7. PGCE / MSc / PgDip / MA

Disabled Students’ Allowance

Disables Students’ Allowance (UK) The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a grant that helps to pay for additional equipment and support that you may need as a direct result of your physical disability, mental health condition, autism spectrum disorder or specific learning difficulty.

Students transitioning from Secondary School to a Higher Education course can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances on their own or alongside any other available finance as part of your student finance application.

As part of our services, the Student Support Portal can assist and advise you on how to apply for and secure your DSA.