Disablity student allowance.

moneysaver05_2

I have a question about the disablitity studenet allowance and was wondering if any ione could help me?.......right my qestion is as follows:

I have been diagnosed with dyslexia. My LEA is Birmingham. I was informed that I would qulify for a free pc or laptop. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how I would get this?....Do I buy it myself and then give them the receipts or do they just give me one? If its the latter who do they use to supply me with it, and what brand laptop do i get?....do i get to choose aform a selection of brands?
Thank you

dmg24

Unless this is specific to your LEA and/ or university, a diagnosis of dyslexia does not automatically qualify you for a free laptop. Also, the diagnosis does not mean you will automatically get DSA.

DSA looks at the costs incurred by the disabled student in addition to those of a 'normal' student.

You need to take advice from your Student Support Officer as to how best to proceed with your DSA application.

Gemmzie

You definitely don't buy it yourself or get any branded one. If you're entitled to one (as dmg24 said), it's specifically built to help you with your disability.

moneysaver05_2

Hi i am entitled to one. My dsa has been approved but I am not sure what laptop they will give me?
Do you know if they give you any specific brand? i would really like a sony viao...am i dreaming??

dmg24

moneysaver,

PLEASE READ THE ANSWERS GIVEN.

Speak to a Student Support Advisor at university.

I would not pin your hopes on any particular brand. If you are entitled, just be grateful for what you are given.

moneysaver05_2

dmg24 wrote: »

moneysaver,

PLEASE READ THE ANSWERS GIVEN.

Speak to a Student Support Advisor at university.

I would not pin your hopes on any particular brand. If you are entitled, just be grateful for what you are given.

Than kyou for your advice

QuirkyChemistry

Hi,
I also have dyslexia and dyspraxia and I get DSA. I'm now in my second year of university and I applied to my LEA for it when I was applying for my first year loans. I had to go to an assessment (maybe at your university or maybe at a local testing centre). I had a discussion (1-2 hours) with a special advisor about what I would need and tried out some software, which may be the most useful bit. The laptop I got isn't branded but has good specs and is worth £850. I also got a scanner and printer and lots of special software. I also got allowances for books and printing. What you get will depend on the LEA and the advisor. The LEA should sort it out for you though and pay for most of it up front (all the equipment should be paid for up front) although this can vary. Good luck with the application. Feel free to ask anymore questions.

moneysaver05_2

QuirkyChemistry wrote: »

Hi,
I also have dyslexia and dyspraxia and I get DSA. I'm now in my second year of university and I applied to my LEA for it when I was applying for my first year loans. I had to go to an assessment (maybe at your university or maybe at a local testing centre). I had a discussion (1-2 hours) with a special advisor about what I would need and tried out some software, which may be the most useful bit. The laptop I got isn't branded but has good specs and is worth £850. I also got a scanner and printer and lots of special software. I also got allowances for books and printing. What you get will depend on the LEA and the advisor. The LEA should sort it out for you though and pay for most of it up front (all the equipment should be paid for up front) although this can vary. Good luck with the application. Feel free to ask anymore questions.

Hi i have to attend an assessment day in january. can you tell me what i should expect?
Is your laptop a big thing that you cant carry around with you or is is a small 13inch screen?

QuirkyChemistry

My laptop is fairly big (according to my boyfriend it is a desktop replacement). I think it's a 17 inch screen but I can take it about with me. You could always mention it if portability is important.

The assessment is nothing to worry about. You will talk about the problems you have e.g. concentration, note taking. It will include things like your sight, hearing, mobility because it is a general thing. Then you might get shown some software to try. It will probably end with an explanation of what they are recommending for you (needs to be approved by LEA but rarely refused) and what happens next. If there is anything specific you want, then mention it and see what they will do. After a few weeks you will be sent your report to approve and then it gets sent to your LEA for them to approve. It's fairly simple and the advisor will go through it with you. If you know where the assessment is then they may have a website that explains. I remember looking at that before mine. Hope that helps.

moneysaver05_2

QuirkyChemistry wrote: »

My laptop is fairly big (according to my boyfriend it is a desktop replacement). I think it's a 17 inch screen but I can take it about with me. You could always mention it if portability is important.

The assessment is nothing to worry about. You will talk about the problems you have e.g. concentration, note taking. It will include things like your sight, hearing, mobility because it is a general thing. Then you might get shown some software to try. It will probably end with an explanation of what they are recommending for you (needs to be approved by LEA but rarely refused) and what happens next. If there is anything specific you want, then mention it and see what they will do. After a few weeks you will be sent your report to approve and then it gets sent to your LEA for them to approve. It's fairly simple and the advisor will go through it with you. If you know where the assessment is then they may have a website that explains. I remember looking at that before mine. Hope that helps.

thank you so much you have helped me loads!
Wish every one was like you
cheers

moonpixiewitch

My daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia before starting Uni this year.She had to have a full assessment carried out to apply for the DSA. Depending on your LEA and the severity of your dyslexia you may be offered a desktop or laptop once you have been assessed. You will need to attend an "assessment of need" at either your uni or at an allocated LEA centre, this will be arranged by the LEA once you have completed an application for DSA (it can take some time). Once that has been carried out you will get a copy of the resulting report and its recommendations , however please be aware just because the assessor recommends something does not always guarantee the LEA will pay for it , in my daughters case the report had selected suppliers for some equipment recommended .Once the Lea have received the report and recommendations they then carry out their own review of the report , and you should then receive a letter from the LEA student finance dept and be contacted by the suppliers of the equipment to arrange delivery, set up and training. In my daughters case she was lucky enough to receive a laptop and specialist software , which we could not have afforded to buy for her , and she very much needs and appreciates . One "condition" laid down by our LEA was she has to have adequate insurance for all the equipment at all times (she can claim this back each year) , and fortunately our Nationwide home insurance was able to be extended to cover this at minimal cost.
I hope you do well at university whatever the outcome of your DSA application.
HTH