DSA - Disabled Students Allowance.

joee_91

I know there is a lot of info on here - however from a quick search i haven't found any answers.

I am starting an OU degree in October, and have been told that i am eligible for Disabled Students Allowance. However, I am debating on applying for it as for all i am eligible for it, I'm not entirely sure what I would use it for.

Has anyone else used the DSA?

:think:

Dunroamin

What form of disability do you have?

http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/disabled-students-allowance.php

joee_91

I have just been reading through that website but thank you for your reply anyway. I have slightly restricted mobility but not enough to warrant note takers etc. Not going to apply but was worth reading what it was for anyway. Thanks

New_York_No1_fan

joee_91 wrote: »

I know there is a lot of info on here - however from a quick search i haven't found any answers.

I am starting an OU degree in October, and have been told that i am eligible for Disabled Students Allowance. However, I am debating on applying for it as for all i am eligible for it, I'm not entirely sure what I would use it for.

Has anyone else used the DSA?

:think:

My son is currently in receipt of DSA for epilepsy. His needs assessment was very thorough and his assessor extemely helpful.
She asked questions about his disability that we hadn't even thought about.

If you have restricted mobility you may be too tired to get to the library for textbooks, or go to do photocopying or printing. DSA can give an allowance for some text books, photocopying and may supply you with your own printer if you don't have one.
Without jumping on the band wagon from previous posts as to what you can get out of DSA, DSA offer laptops if your disability permits, software, travel allowances etc.(BTW we already had our own laptop so turned that option down).

If you believe you are eligible for an assessment, what's to lose. You don't have to accept their offer of support but is useful to know whats available.

They will reimburse your travel costs to the assessment centre as they're not always on your doorstep, although you can go wherever you wish for convenience.
Hope this helps.

joee_91

Thank you very much for your reply. I may just go for the assessment, just to find out whats available.

As you say you got asked questions you didnt even consider before, which makes me wonder maybe I will need it. I will apply anyway and see what support is available.

Thanks for the advice!

thatlemming

Go for it, even if you don't think you need it. I went for an assessment simply because the doctor told me to, even though I thought I would be fine without any help. They have been brilliant, and gave me a parking permit for my uni, and the difference between the bus fare and petrol to uni, because my illness means I can't use public transport. Never guessed they'd help like that, so please go see them!

skipsmum

I've had lots of help from DSA but the best thing for me (after my LSA) is library extensions...I would have enormous fines otherwise!

mum2one

I had DSA for 6 yrd and without I wouldn't have managed, for tutorials that weren't local they paid for a carer to drive me there, petrol allowance and parking, it meant that i could take part.
At the start of my course they gave me the difference I had paid for my laptop, I have a printer, they gave me an allowance for paper and ink. Sound daft but some courses I took were on-line only, no real text books, and to print each weeks study was 40+ pages.
due to my disability, I have mobility issues, low pain threshold, and couldn't sit a 3 hrs exam in a room with 100 other students, i'd be fidgeting for England, but they arranged for me to do my exams, on a 1 to basic and a break, of 30 mins on a 3hr exam, - toilet stop, stretch my legs.

Once you have an assesment done, they prepare a report based on your needs-
eg just of mine
tutorials - easy access room, close to toilets nearby parking
exams - need 1 to 1 exam
assistance - tutorail not local need assistance (bag carrying, driving etc)
printing - online work would need items to be printed
extensions - may need to ask for an extension - due to tiredness and medication,

you can choose whether or not to allow your tutor to have a copy of your dsa assesment, I always said yes, so that if I did need an extension, the tutor would know it wasn't a case of id been out drinking all weekend and had a mass panic, but there was a medical reason why.

Def apply for it. x

haycorns

Just looking at uni's with my son. The disabilites advisor said he would be able to claim the difference between a basic room and an en-suite as he needs to stick to his routines in the morning and won't cope if he can't get in the shower as there is a queue.

I'd say get the assessment - that will tell you what help is available, then you can choose to accept or not.