If you’re neurodivergent, have a long-term physical or mental health condition, or have any other accessibility needs, you can get support to become a teacher. This support can sometimes be referred to as training with disabilities and other needs. The support may be helpful to you, even if you do not identify as disabled.
The experience and perspective of a diverse workforce is invaluable in schools, so there’s lots of support available to make sure trainee teachers feel comfortable and confident in the classroom.
Read the transcript for the video ‘What teaching taught me - Josh’.
Growing up as a profoundly deaf child, I had a positive upbringing in my mainstream primary school. The teachers were amazing in terms of support and treating me equally. They inspired me to become a primary school teacher.
Financial support
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
If you’re on a fee-paying teacher training course, you may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, eligible students can get up to £27,783 a year for support. You cannot get DSA if your course pays a salary.
DSA can help cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability. You can get DSA on its own or in addition to other student finance.
It can take up to 14 weeks to get your DSA, so you should take this into consideration if you need the support in place for the start of your course.
Find out more about Disabled Students' Allowance
You could also receive a tax-free bursary or scholarship of up to £31,000 to train to teach certain subjects. Find out more about your eligibility for a scholarship or bursary.
Access to Work
If you get paid for your training, for example, salaried training or a teacher degree apprenticeship, you may be eligible for support through Access to Work.
Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
- a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
- support with managing your mental health at work
Examples could include paying towards accessible transport to get you to school or help with funding specialist equipment.
Access to Work can also pay for a workplace assessment to see what you need in order to do your job.
You can apply for Access to Work up to 12 weeks before you start your salaried training or apprenticeship. You should apply as soon as possible if you need the support in place before you start.
Find out more about Access to Work
Adjustments to help you train
Teacher training providers can make lots of adjustments so you can attend an interview and complete your teacher training.
