Advice appreciated on DSA (disabled students allowance)

samantham06

Hi everyone,
First of all apolgies if ive put this on the wrong board, please feel free to move it if its meant to be on a student one?
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of DSA, i am going into my second year of uni in September and after suffering a few health problems in the first year, i have recently been told I am eligible for DSA. I am very happy about this as ive been told it will apparently make my life easier at Uni but...
Im not really sure what this is? I have an assesment next week where they will ask me what equipment I need. I have no idea of what equipment is avaliable!? Also I have been told there is a general allowance avaliable. I dont know if this is paid directly to the student, or what items it will cover if not.

THANKS

MrsManda

Have you read the information on the direct.gov.uk website?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898

What are your medical issues?
You need to think about how your medical problems affect your studies and what may help you to overcome these effects.
Don't worry if you don't know what may help you but it's a good idea to think about how your studies are affected by your medical problems.

The assessor will speak to you about how your medical problems affect your studies and make suggestions as to what they may be able to provide in order to help alleviate the effects.

87k

The Students Forum Disabled Section is very helpful
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=277

samantham06

Thanks, I have several stomach problems, including IBS, coeliac disese, lactose intolerance and also suffer from clinical depression.. (mainly caused by feeling run down by the food issues)
Im really not sure what will help me, I get tired very easily and sometimes am unable to get into uni, it literally feels like having the flu when I have eaten something contaminated. I also suffer awful mood swings which are a symptom of coeliac.
So im really not sure, I was told by a welfare advisor at college that I should apply as I suffered alot last year and had to miss alot, to be honest I find the whole thing slightly degrading.. but thought if its there then I may aswell see what is avaliable!

thegirlintheattic

I underwent DSA but for learning rather than medical help. The needs assessment involves someone discussing your difficulties then suggesting what might help you, you can say yes or no to things. Don't worry! They have prompts and know what help is available, your are not expected to remember every little issue (they will prompt) nor know all the types of help available. Might be best to write down your problems with study/living though so you have a reminder if you are easily stressed. It's best to say yes to anything that sounds remotely helpful, don't worry about wasting money, the assessor will decide what, in the end, you need and get.

Edit: From the above your best help would probably come from someone to go to lectures and make notes for you when you are not well enough to attend. The DSA will fund this. The assessor may also recommend to the university to make material available online for you/extend deadlines etc. For example for me, I got one to one tutoring, extended library loans and my lecturers told to provide constructive help and provide online notes, and give me handouts prior to lectures.

lutzi1

Hi Samantha,

As a fellow Coeliac with lactose intolerance you have my understanding and sympathy, though it doesn't do to feel too sorry for one's self - a good dose of bl00dy mindedness is very helpful as a Coeliac.

My daughter who is also Coeliac is off to Uni soon, and is thinking about perhaps applying for things such as a small fridge for her room, so her food cannot be contaminated. Argos do a brilliant small combined fridge freezer which would be ideal. As we both know, it costs a lot more for food when you are a Coeliac, so maybe you could apply for some help with that, if you can provide some objective evidence to back up your claim.

Also, try a taking a good quality vitamin and mineral pill every day, I find that helps a lot. Good luck!