Register disabled student not getting support

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I am registered disabled student at Uni. I haven't been receiving any support from the disability team or lecuturers and have just had a needs assesment done.

Dosen't even look as if they'll be following the recommendations either.

I'm really not happy and am even considering leaving because of it.

Any advice??

dmg24

This happened to me at uni too. When I went back to the disability team to (politely) complain, I got a very defensive reply saying they had done all they could (= nothing).

Contact your Student Union, hopefully they will take up your case for you. Let us know how you get on x

the_devil_made_me_do_it

The needs assesor who isn't part of the uni I attend, said my uni was on the brink of discrimination if they didn't start following the recommendations.

PasturesNew

Are the recommendations asking them to make sure you have a table near the door .... or to completely move the entire department and all equipment across the campus?

Are the recommendations asking them to provide a special laptop .... or to open the Uni at night for your lectures because you can't go out in daylight?

What I am trying to say is: while recommendations have been made, that doesn't mean that they are reasonable or that they are reasonable in the timescales you need. It would help if you'd give a clue.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

It's mental health issues. I made the uni aware of my situation well before the course started. So they have had ample time to at least get some support in place. Now they have the needs assesment, still dosen't seem that anything has changed.

dmg24

Have you spoken to the SU? You really need some back up from them to take this further x

Nenen

My daughter has a disability (she's severely dyslexic) and her needs assessor told us that if the university do not follow their recommendations they would be breaking the law and could be prosecuted for that under the disability act. He did give us some exact wording you need to use to show them you mean business but I can't remember what it was now as fortunately her university have been very good (after an initial period of trying to stall and realising we were not going to let them get away with it)! She is now in her final year and has done extremely well... so hang on in there and be prepared to fight for what you are entitled to BY LAW!

Having said that, I guess with mental health issues, it might make it even more difficult to fight them on your own. Is it possible for you to contact your assessor and ask him/her to help you get the support s/he recommended? We found that was by far the most helpful route for my dd as they know all the legal jargon to use! If your parents are supportive it would be worth them hassling the uni with this information too!

Do keep trying... it really is worth it. My dd was ready to give up during her first year but, the help she eventually received made all the difference, and she is now loving it and so pleased she stayed.

anewman

Sorry to be somewhat mistrustful Universities, but I wonder if in most cases the University's involvement starts with applying for whatever money they get for taking on a "disabled" student. And if needed get involved with disabled students allowance.

Also, don't want to get too personal or nosey when you have asked about what the University should be doing, but I wonder what changes/consideration/help they *could* give you. Also, I wonder what sort of difficulties you are having that may prevent you gaining full advantage of University, and what it is the University could do?

I guess perhaps the University may think mental health issues would be dealth with via the network of care you have in terms of GP/therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist. At worst the disability people's qualifications/training may not have involved mental health.

What is the name of the University? If anyone else has been there then they may have some insider info.

Certainly don't leave on a matter of principle, unless it really is that difficult and they're not giving you the help you need.

studentphil

Sadly universities are more talk than action on this front. They don't have a clue what it is like to be disabled as almost everyone who is a senior person at these places aren't disabled and sailed through their life and education without a worry. So really just just don't have a clue about being disabled or problems or anything. If you can keep on their case they might start helping you.

anewman

The person you contacted about disability at Huddersfield University is wheelchair-bound. Smacked in the face to me of tokenism as I didn't see any other staff with obvious disabilities. But I guess him being disabled himself gives him a unique perspective of disability an able-bodied/non-disabled person might not have.

studentphil

I think for universities to be any good they need disabled people in senior managers jobs. At the moment they only offer piecemeal rubbish like an extra 15 mins per hour which does nothing if you write 50 or 60 % slower than most. Often lecturers don't believe dyslexia/ SPLD/ Metal health issues don't exist and so refuse to help disabled students of this nature.