Disabled Student's Allowance -- worth applying for mental health?

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

So, really, it is the system that needs changing, which is what I've been saying.

DSA doesn't even eist for students in further education.:mad:

The_One_Who

Amethyst_ice wrote: »

i had my own laptop but the software they were offering me my laptop couldnt handle so i needed a new laptop to be able to handle the software and also the word documents uni issue many things in wouldnt open on my laptop either.

For Word documents you may just need to install a convertor, I can't open Docx files without one. Again, students doing a course which requires special software means they need to get a computer that can handle it. Perhaps there could be some sort of discount system in place. I do believe that students should buy their own equipment if they want private use of it though.

sh1305 wrote: »

DSA doesn't even eist for students in further education.:mad:

Does it not? I have no experience of further education so don't really know much about it.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

I do believe that students should buy their own equipment if they want private use of it though.

For most, it's need. There is a huge difference between need and want.

Does it not? I have no experience of further education so don't really know much about it.

No it doesn't. Add to that, disability support telling me that what I have can't possibly exist (funny how there's a charity for my particular disability) and telling me that I'm actually dyslexic, (I'm not - it's normal for a visually impaired person to struggle with reading and have problems seeing details) I ended up just scraping a pass. If I had the equipment I needed (I was able to ask for extra time if I need it - so not an issue) I would've done much better than I did.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

For most, it's need. There is a huge difference between need and want.

All students need a computer. It's just a fact. Those who cannot afford one need to make do with the university ones, and I believe the case should be the same for disabled students, at least in the majority/most common of cases.

No it doesn't. Add to that, disability support telling me that what I have can't possibly exist (funny how there's a charity for my particular disability) and telling me that I'm actually dyslexic, (I'm not - it's normal for a visually impaired person to struggle with reading and have problems seeing details) I ended up just scraping a pass. If I had the equipment I needed (I was able to ask for extra time if I need it - so not an issue) I would've done much better than I did.

Again, reasons why the system should be properly looked at. Just think, these same people who do not even accept the existence of your disability are the ones decided what you should or should not get. This is why I would like to see proper assessments with proper justification for the provisions recommended. And to actually listen to the student themselves, to see whether or not they think they will need what is being offered.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

Again, reasons why the system should be properly looked at. Just think, these same people who do not even accept the existence of your disability are the ones decided what you should or should not get. This is why I would like to see proper assessments with proper justification for the provisions recommended. And to actually listen to the student themselves, to see whether or not they think they will need what is being offered.

The student is allowed to say or no to a piece of equipment. I was allowed to play around on a few pieces of equipment and able to decide whether I thought they were useful.

Any equipment is justified. It's not just a case of "Student with dyslexia requires a laptop" - they [assessor] would have to explain why it's needed.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

The student is allowed to say or no to a piece of equipment. I was allowed to play around on a few pieces of equipment and able to decide whether I thought they were useful.

Any equipment is justified. It's not just a case of "Student with dyslexia requires a laptop" - they [assessor] would have to explain why it's needed.

Yes, and the student saying that a software wouldn't help, like you did, should be listened to. I'm not saying that the student should always get their way, that would be silly. I know of someone who has a dictaphone (a pretty good one at that) and has never touched it. That's just a waste.

It should always be justified for the student as well as in the wider context. Do they have their own computer? Do they have the financial means to buy their own computer? Does the library offer suitable equipment? Etc, etc.

Indie_Kid

Students are asked if they have their own computer. I did; but it's not fast enough and is shared. (at the time, it was connected up to the printer - we had no other computer to connect it to)

The_One_Who

That is why the other questions should be asked. As well as evaluating if their current computer can handle the software. If not, can they afford to buy a new one. And so on. I don't like to see some students being advantaged over others, and I believe such provisions (unless there really is no other option whatsoever) are doing that.

Indie_Kid

We're NOT advanatged. How hard is that to understand? A non-disabled student can go to the library - not all disabled students can.

The_One_Who

You are advantaged in that you don't need to go to the library. It's not like everyone lives down the street from it. There are also a lot of reasons why someone might not be able to get to the library, although not disabled.