ARE you aware that all learners enrolling on programmes at St Helens College may be entitled to specific additional support in order to help them succeed and obtain access to the curriculum?

Over the last three years the college's Learner Support Department has developed to meet this challenge, offering in-class support (Communicators and Learner Support Officers), personal care and help at meal times, note-taking, general mobility support and help at exam times (scribes and readers).

Specific support is also offered for visual impairment, deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, dyslexia and adapting learning materials.

Existing learner support provision at the college has now been enhanced with the opening of a new Sensory Support and Assessment Unit at the Town Centre Campus. Funded by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) the unit allows for the extra accommodation that is now needed and is equipped with specialist equipment building on the resources currently available for students, such as loop systems, rolla balls and dicta phones.

The colour scheme and layout was designed with students who have visual impairment in mind and the room also operates as a library for information and is equipped with specialist equipment and relevant software It can be used for student interviews and assessments and it is hoped that it will be a base for various student self help groups.

The new facility was opened by college principal Pat Bacon, assisted by two leading members of the College Corporation: Councillor Andy Bowden (Finance & Central Resources) and Graham Haselden (Accommodation and Access Development and Equality and Diversity).

Pat said: "I would like to thank everyone who helped us and was involved in turning this project into reality. We are aware of the legal responsibilities and obligations that the college has with reference to the DDA and Special Educational Needs and Disability Act and always try to be proactive in our approach to learner support.

Further information on the range of support services available at the college can be obtained from Eric Gorse, Head of Learner Support, on 01744 623326.