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

Amethyst_ice

bitsandpieces wrote: »

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.

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exactly..when one of my tutors had a go at me for missing a lecture as i was at hospital she suggested people with my 'problems' should consider open uni or part time. It really upset me, what right did she have to tell me that because i needed medical help i was not up to traditional uni. I am proud to say i go to my uni, its a very good redbrick and when i am able to go onto campus i get such a sense on pride being there. I have every right to be there and i hate asking for help but sadly without it i would be sat at home on incapacity. great contribution to society

The_One_Who

bitsandpieces wrote: »

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.

Only if they cannot afford to buy their own and there are no other alternatives. A reasonable step would be giving a discount on a computer. Again, we all need computers whether or not we are disabled. No, we cannot all go to the library, and we do not all work best during 'normal' hours. These people need to buy their own, and I do not see why disabled students should not be expected to buy their own either.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

Only if they cannot afford to buy their own and there are no other alternatives. A reasonable step would be giving a discount on a computer. Again, we all need computers whether or not we are disabled. No, we cannot all go to the library, and we do not all work best during 'normal' hours. These people need to buy their own, and I do not see why disabled students should not be expected to buy their own either.

You can use the library computer - disabled students can't. The difference is you choose to work at 2am - I don't choose to be more awake at 2am.

As someone who supposedly has a disability, you seem to be rather unsympathetic (and jealous) of those of us who do get given computers.

universities tend to be very happy to have disabled students there

They have no choice - unless for whatever reason, a disabled student can't actually either do the course (myself being an example - my timetable was hell this year and I missed so much because the timetable physically wore me out. (it was spread over 3 days - 9.30-1.30, 1.30-6.30 and 9.30-4))

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

You can use the library computer - disabled students can't. The difference is you choose to work at 2am - I don't choose to be more awake at 2am.

As someone who supposedly has a disability, you seem to be rather unsympathetic (and jealous) of those of us who do get given computers.

I can't use a library computer if I can't get there in time to get one. Or if I can't get out of bed. People don't choose when they work best! You work best whenever that is, if it's 2am then that's when it is. Being awake at 10am doesn't necessarily mean you will work best then.

I'm not unsympathetic towards a system that advantages disabled students by giving them equipment which other students either need to buy themselves or make do without. I still don't understand why the library cannot provide a small cluster with the most common software needed and reserve them for disabled students.

To be perfectly frank, you seem to think that non-disabled students have everything their own way and lead a simple, easy and stress-free life. That is simply not the case. Non-disabled students have plenty of problems themselves, they are not super-human. They also don't all live within a quick walking distance of the university facilities.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

To be perfectly frank, you seem to think that non-disabled students have everything their own way and lead a simple, easy and stress-free life. That is simply not the case. Non-disabled students have plenty of problems themselves, they are not super-human. They also don't all live within a quick walking distance of the university facilities.

Where have I ever said that? Many students live within walking distance of uni facilities.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

Where have I ever said that? Many students live within walking distance of uni facilities.

Several posters here are saying that the deserve such equipment because 'non-disabled students can do it', and saying that the non-disabled students can just adapt their entire working process, when it really isn't as simple as that. Yes, on a normal day I can use the library computers, if I get in at a time that means there are some left. If not then it means joining a queue. I haven't really seen a decent reason why disabled students cannot use a special computer cluster, or be required to buy their own computers (with a discount applied), or abide by the same book loan rules.

Many students also have to commute in. I would love to live within walking distance of university, but the loan (even though I get the maximum available) doesn't allow that. So I, and many, many others, need to travel in. Perhaps this is more common in Scotland than elsewhere.

Indie_Kid

Many disabled students can only work when their body enables them to do so. Having a computer cluster for them would mean they couldn't do this. Plus, some of us can only work in certain conditions. (I am light sensitive and can't deal with having bright lights - this causes issues for other students who need the light)

It's a lot easier for a non-disbaled student to commute - I can't plan things in advance because I don't always have the energy to do so.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

Many disabled students can only work when their body enables them to do so. Having a computer cluster for them would mean they couldn't do this. Plus, some of us can only work in certain conditions. (I am light sensitive and can't deal with having bright lights - this causes issues for other students who need the light)

It's a lot easier for a non-disbaled student to commute - I can't plan things in advance because I don't always have the energy to do so.

Yes, I understand that some conditions conflict with each other. That happens in every sphere of life. I can't work with too much noise around me, some people need noise. It's not just disabled students who face these problems. If a computer was not offered to you, would you have bought your own? I'm willing to bet yes.

You last comment is exactly what I mean. It may be 'easier' but it certainly isn't easy. Getting up at 6am (or earlier), paying extortionate travel costs, and getting on an already packed train. It's not fun.

Indie_Kid

I would've used the one I have at home and just upgraded the RAM. Although, it would mean my parents being without a printer. (it's one with wires and does need to be connected to a computer)

Amethyst_ice

There seems to be alot of cocentration on laptops ....dsa is so much more than that!

My dsa, apart from equipment has so far helped pay for all or part of-

training of staff to deal with students with bowel diseases (thus raising awareness and understanding)
a support worker to come with me on a 2 week study tour- without whom i would have had to do an essay and not visit real antiquity and on site recording techniques
taxi allowence- without this i would be able to afford to get into uni and do things

these are just some things.

TOW, you seem to be forgetting the points about those of us who would not be able to get into uni- like i said, i have to go to hospital at times and here i have managed to access my lectures through my laptop.

Btw, the do not offer desktops because laptops are better...they can go with you to hospital etc.

Its not all about freeking laptops!!!!

ps. if you are in scotland can i have your halved tuition fees please? in the long run i will still be owing more than you most probably.