What you used your DSA for?

peterpan01

Hello

I starting uni in September. I really can't get me head around DSA.
Has anyone applied for DSA? What have you used it for?


This information will help me and others, I don't want to go to the interview with stupid requests or on the other hand miss out on help.


Thank you

Indie_Kid

You don't have requests. It depends on your needs. I got - laptop + software, dictaphone, (and later on a note take) printer + ink + coloured paper and various non-medical helpers.

LL30

Yes, don't worry, you don't have to go in knowing about how it all works - that's the assessors job. Mine was lovely and we talked through the things that I find difficult and he suggested equipment that could help. To be honest, he thought of things that I never would have, it's one of those 'you don't know what you don't know' scenarios.

I was recommended some equipment, and he suggested that I have helpers in the library. I never quite got my head around that (stubborn or stupid?!?). We also discussed me having note takers in lectures, but I decided against that too, but it was left open for me if I it turned out I couldn't cope.

peterpan01

LL30
aww... you had such a nice assessor! I really hope I have someone like that.




i have such a fragile home life, im still in two mind if i should study or not. i am extremely talented in my art and I could earn a lot more after my uni course.

however, i fear if i don’t get the proper support and i will have to drop the course and have the tuition loan debt.


I need to understand what help is available and what help I will need to pay for especially as I have to stop working.



What does a mentor do? Do they just help you generally? I need someone related to my specialist subject.


Also i need to brush up on my essay writing skills.

DomRavioli

OP, why not contact the DSA team at your university? That is exactly what they are there for.

peterpan01

I have contacted the university adviser.


This was before I made my application to student finance England. The lady refused to talk to me when I asked to be put through as I had not official enrolled on my course. I told her colleague on the phone I wanted to know if and how I would be supported whilst at university and she acted like a go between us. It was awful and very rude!


Basically I was told - as I get DLA I should use that to pay for the additional cost to myself due to my disability whist studying. my DLA already goes towards pay the bills!



I am relieved this disability adviser will not do my assessment for DSA as she has no customer service skills.

LL30

What a shame they weren't very helpful! I have to say I was incredibly lucky as my Uni had just started a new scheme whereby they worked with disabled students before they started the course to iron out any problems beforehand. I'd rung them up to say I couldn't do the course (I acquired a disability in the Feb, and was due to start in the Sept) and they were phenomenal.

I'd try seeing if you could speak to someone else. What about someone in your department? There's usually someone who is in charge of 'disabled students' within each school, mine was there every step of the way and has been my tutor too. I couldn't have done it without her support.