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

poet123

sh1305 wrote: »

The difference being I need longer with the book - you would like longer with the book. Or did you not my posts where I said I'm a slow reader and can only read for short periods at a time?

Then an extension would be granted, just as exam concessions are given.

bitsandpieces

The_One_Who wrote: »

A laptop, or at least a private computer, can allow students to not need to travel two hours each way just to use a computer. It makes things a lot easier.

I agree - computers can be really helpful. This doesn't mean that you need one at home, though - you do have the option of travelling in. This is different from someone who is unable to write in lectures or physically unable to leave the house for a couple of weeks a quarter.

By the way - does your library not have free computers you can use? Or can you not get an old one off freecycle?

No, I'm not paying money for my local library to order books in for me when I can get them for free in the university library. Would you expect to pay if you cannot get to a library?

I do have to pay if I can't get to a library with the books I want in stock.

Lecture theatres should have wheelchair access, all of the ones I know of have. Again, I'm all for adjustments to help.

Some lecture theatres aren't wheelchair accessible - some are in listed buildings where alterations wouldn't be practical, for example. The solution is generally to move lectures where this is a problem - but simply offering equal treatment (e.g. all students can get to the lecture theatre so long as the can get upstairs) wouldn't be adequate.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

The difference being I need longer with the book - you would like longer with the book. Or did you not my posts where I said I'm a slow reader and can only read for short periods at a time?

Yes, I saw your posts. Did you not see mine in which I said that not all students devote their entire time to reading one book, nor are they able to read it all in one sitting? These students either have to try their luck in getting it out again or buy it themselves.

bitsandpieces wrote: »

I agree - computers can be really helpful. This doesn't mean that you need one at home, though - you do have the option of travelling in. This is different from someone who is unable to write in lectures or physically unable to leave the house for a couple of weeks a quarter.

By the way - does your library not have free computers you can use? Or can you not get an old one off freecycle?

Yes, usually I can travel in. I'm not disputing that. I'm saying that not all non-disabled students are equal in their access to these facilities. My local library has a couple of rather old computers, yes. They do not come with the required software though, so I sometimes need a university one. I don't fancy buying the stuff I need.

[/quote]Some lecture theatres aren't wheelchair accessible - some are in listed buildings where alterations wouldn't be practical, for example. The solution is generally to move lectures where this is a problem - but simply offering equal treatment (e.g. all students can get to the lecture theatre so long as the can get upstairs) wouldn't be adequate.[/QUOTE]

My university has loads of listed buildings and, as far as I am aware, does not pose too many problems in terms of wheelchair access. Yes, they may well have to take a different route, but that is probably more to do with it being on a hill than that actual building. Ramps, lifts, etc should be (and are) installed.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

Yes, I saw your posts. Did you not see mine in which I said that not all students devote their entire time to reading one book.

That's a choice. I don't have that choice or luxury of reading a book in one sitting.

The_One_Who

sh1305 wrote: »

That's a choice. I don't have that choice or luxury of reading a book in one sitting.

No, it's not a choice. I know of very few people who can sit and read a book in the one sitting. You are not showing much understand of what a non-disabled student can reasonably do.

bitsandpieces

Yes, usually I can travel in. I'm not disputing that. I'm saying that not all non-disabled students are equal in their access to these facilities.

Of course people aren't all equal in how easily they can get to a university - no-one's saying they are. This type of issue will continue throughout your life - e.g. when you get a job, some people will live further away from the office than others, but they will still be expected to travel in. There is a significant difference between it being hard to travel to facilities because you live far away and - for example - being unable to travel in some days due to disability.

My local library has a couple of rather old computers, yes. They do not come with the required software though, so I sometimes need a university one. I don't fancy buying the stuff I need.

Lots of people don't fancy paying for stuff (I don't much like buying books and would far rather be able to get any obscure book I wanted in my local library). In that case, you have to travel to the facilities you want to use. At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old sod, it wasn't that long ago when laptops were out of the price range of most students - and machines that could run specialist software (along with the software licenses) certainly were out of budget. People managed - they used university computers, took notes by hand, etc.

My university has loads of listed buildings and, as far as I am aware, does not pose too many problems in terms of wheelchair access.

That's why I said "listed buildings where alterations wouldn't be practical". Of course many listed buildings can and should be made wheelchair-accessible - in universities, I think the majority are - but some either can't or would be incredibly expensive to alter in accord with the regulations.

The_One_Who

bitsandpieces wrote: »

Lots of people don't fancy paying for stuff (I don't much like buying books and would far rather be able to get any obscure book I wanted in my local library). In that case, you have to travel to the facilities you want to use. At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old sod, it wasn't that long ago when laptops were out of the price range of most students - and machines that could run specialist software (along with the software licenses) certainly were out of budget. People managed - they used university computers, took notes by hand, etc.

I'm saying that if I need to use the software, I need to go in, whether I feel up to it or not. It is either go in and do it or fail. For a lot of disabled students the same principle could apply. Go in and use the library computers equipped with the software you need. Not all disabled students cannot get in to the library.

Indie_Kid

The_One_Who wrote: »

I'm saying that if I need to use the software, I need to go in, whether I feel up to it or not. It is either go in and do it or fail. For a lot of disabled students the same principle could apply. Go in and use the library computers equipped with the software you need. Not all disabled students cannot get in to the library.

But many can only get into the library when they're not in a lot of pain. I've spent the last 2.5 years with a pain disorder. I have days where I can't walk because I am in so much pain. How do you suggest I get to the library?

poet123

sh1305 wrote: »

But many can only get into the library when they're not in a lot of pain. I've spent the last 2.5 years with a pain disorder. I have days where I can't walk because I am in so much pain. How do you suggest I get to the library?

So will you be employable after the course has finished?

Indie_Kid

poet123 wrote: »

So will you be employable after the course has finished?

If I have to, I will work from home.