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

Indie_Kid

I still have to go down the library - I needed to do some research and book-wise, I had no idea where to start and there wasn't much online.

The_One_Who

I think there needs to be some understanding that we are all different, and we all have difficulties, whether educational or not. It's not a black and white case of 'you aren't disabled therefore can do everything'. Not everyone gets the help or support that they should.

Indie_Kid

There are other libraries though - I've been to a local non-uni one because they have a book that I required that uni don't have. (it wasn't on the reading list - but it was to do with research)

bitsandpieces

Most students do not need laptops. When I was an undergraduate, the great majority of students didn't have laptops (but work still needed to be wordprocessed). Degree content hasn't changed that much in most subjects - laptops are very nice to have, and it's great that you can get netbooks etc. fairly cheap nowadays, but most students don't need them. Disabled students will only be recommended a laptop via DSA if they have a significant additional need for them. If using computer clusters etc. won't disadvantage them, they will - and should - be expected to continue doing so.

You could start to build computer facilities with appropriate software, ergonomic equipment etc. into all buildings and all lecture/seminar rooms. This could be a nice idea for improving accessibility. However, with all those software licenses and the cost of maintaining these facilities - and providing facilities which are adequate for those who *need* computers in order to work - this would likely be more expensive than providing disabled students with inappropriate laptops/desktops where needed. There would also still be the issue of those who need to work at home or in other places, for various reasons

Some non-disabled students find it better to work in the small hours etc - I'm not exactly a morning person myself! I'm all for long library/computer suite opening hours. However, while sleep patterns can be complex, a healthy person does not *need* to work at certain times: if e.g. conscripted into the army and forced to work certain hours, a typical person would adjust. If there is no option but to work certain hours - for example, you can't afford a computer and computer suites are only open 9-9 - people can get used to this. Some disabled people, however, may be unable to avoid issues like sleeping far more than usual.

The_One_Who

My local library is rubbish, it doesn't even have a good selection of fiction books, never mind anything even remotely academic. There is a big reference library, but if I'd be going there I'd be easier (and quicker) going to the university one unless it didn't have the book.

Most students do not need laptops. When I was an undergraduate, the great majority of students didn't have laptops (but work still needed to be wordprocessed). Degree content hasn't changed that much in most subjects - laptops are very nice to have, and it's great that you can get netbooks etc. fairly cheap nowadays, but most students don't need them. Disabled students will only be recommended a laptop via DSA if they have a significant additional need for them. If using computer clusters etc. won't disadvantage them, they will - and should - be expected to continue doing so.

They may not need laptops, but they definitely need a computer. And more and more and needing access to a private computer unless they live close to the library/other free computing facilities. I don't believe computers should be given unless the student has no financial means to buy one themselves (even if there was a discount negotiated) or there really is no other support available. Non-disabled students need to buy their own if they cannot get easy access to the library, and so should others. I'm sorry, but that's just fair.

Some non-disabled students find it better to work in the small hours etc - I'm not exactly a morning person myself! I'm all for long library/computer suite opening hours. However, while sleep patterns can be complex, a healthy person does not *need* to work at certain times: if e.g. conscripted into the army and forced to work certain hours, a typical person would adjust. If there is no option but to work certain hours - for example, you can't afford a computer and computer suites are only open 9-9 - people can get used to this. Some disabled people, however, may be unable to avoid issues like sleeping far more than usual.

It's not quite as simple as that. They can change their sleeping patterns, but it doesn't necessarily change their best-working habits. I work best between 11 and 2.30. Before or after it's just not as good. That happens to be peak-time in the library, so isn't so good for me. If I didn't have my own computer I would be spending the majority of by my best working time looking (probably in vain) for a computer.

If there is a real, genuine need for a computer and the student cannot afford one then there would be a case for providing one. However, if these were not offered then a lot of students would buy their own. In the same way that non-disabled students buy their own.

Indie_Kid

bitsandpieces wrote: »

Some non-disabled students find it better to work in the small hours etc - I'm not exactly a morning person myself! I'm all for long library/computer suite opening hours. However, while sleep patterns can be complex, a healthy person does not *need* to work at certain times: if e.g. conscripted into the army and forced to work certain hours, a typical person would adjust. If there is no option but to work certain hours - for example, you can't afford a computer and computer suites are only open 9-9 - people can get used to this. Some disabled people, however, may be unable to avoid issues like sleeping far more than usual.

Exactly. I have to work harder than a non-disbaled person to achieve the same results. I am more awake late at night than I am during the day. (this is disability related)

Amethyst_ice

exactly..i have to have regular treatment in hospital to keep me being able to attend uni...i suffer from extreme tiredness as well and the equipment we get enables me to keep up slightly but i am still at a disadvantage.

the DSA is not all about equipment, it is other things like a taxi allowence..when i cannot walk (i have often just collapsed and become stranded on my way to uni)..uni is a 15 min walk usually for a healthy person, a 2 min car ride which is charged at £4 each way,,,..the DSA allows me to just GET to uni!

bodmil

sh1305 wrote: »

How many libraries are open at 2am? I'm more awake then than I am at 5pm.

How many workplaces operate at 2am? Universities can't be expected to fit everyone's needs. Hence why there's a wide variety of options for higher education. If you need to do things on your own timetable, instead of the usual 9-5s or struggle to get to uni, maybe the Open University or home learning or some other form is more appropriate? It's as if you expect to have the library open when you need it, or lectures and exams in the middle of the night, that's just totally unreasonable.

Amethyst_ice

bodmil wrote: »

How many workplaces operate at 2am? Universities can't be expected to fit everyone's needs. Hence why there's a wide variety of options for higher education. If you need to do things on your own timetable, instead of the usual 9-5s or struggle to get to uni, maybe the Open University or home learning or some other form is more appropriate? It's as if you expect to have the library open when you need it, or lectures and exams in the middle of the night, that's just totally unreasonable.

we have already discussed that lots of courses, such as mine (archaeology) are not available part time, distance or open uni. Plus the cost of these is dragged out more that independance options (being able to move out) get reduced.

We do not expect libraries to be open when we are ok, the discussion is whether we should be 'given' equipment that would allow us to work where we need to eg,hospital and when eg.late at night when our symtoms may be lesser

bitsandpieces

bodmil wrote: »

How many workplaces operate at 2am? Universities can't be expected to fit everyone's needs. Hence why there's a wide variety of options for higher education. If you need to do things on your own timetable, instead of the usual 9-5s or struggle to get to uni, maybe the Open University or home learning or some other form is more appropriate? It's as if you expect to have the library open when you need it, or lectures and exams in the middle of the night, that's just totally unreasonable.

I don't think anyone is demanding 2am lectures. However, if students do need to work at odd hours, providing them with a computer to use at home is a perfectly reasonable step. The OU is excellent - but many students prefer to study in a different way and there are some courses one can't do at the OU. Letting students decide what's best for them - with appropriate advice - is the best option: it's not even as if pushing students towards the OU would save any notable amount of money (similar equipment will still be needed) and universities tend to be very happy to have disabled students there, so I really fail to see what excluding students from 'traditional' uni study would achieve.

As far as workplaces go - depends on the workplace, I guess. I've never worked anywhere that wasn't happy for me to come in out of hours or borrow a laptop if something needed doing urgently (though there were occasions when - "I know this came up at 4:30pm on Friday but we can't allow you to work the weekend" would have been welcome!) Lots of employers are pretty indifferent as to how the work's done as long as it's done well. Others do want people in 9-5, of course.