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Depends really if you have to spend any money I guess. I have a metabolic condition and I applied and they wouldn't give me it - but all my stuff was on prescription. (Now you've reminded me, I'm tempted to reapply since my prescriptions are no longer free).
I reckon you probably would but I can't be 100%! My brother has crohnes disease and he got it - free laptop, loads of books, accommodation help, a free medication card for the year - loads of stuff! I don't know the exact details but I imagine you would get it :smile: xxx
Reply 3
Wesssty
How many mars bars you want?

I love you for thinking the same as me, but hate you for beating me to it.

Seriously though, I understand students have certain disabilites that need allowances for certain things, but OP, what does diabetes do that you would need an allowance for?
Why does diabetes mean that you need extra help with studying?
Reply 5
Does diabetes mean you have any study related costs that students without it would have? You can't include prescriptions, but you'll get those free anyway.
Juno
Does diabetes mean you have any study related costs that students without it would have? You can't include prescriptions, but you'll get those free anyway.


Damn. Prescriptions not included even when you have to pay bloody £120 a year or whatever for a pass? Grr.
Reply 7
thatwhichiam
Depends really if you have to spend any money I guess. I have a metabolic condition and I applied and they wouldn't give me it - but all my stuff was on prescription. (Now you've reminded me, I'm tempted to reapply since my prescriptions are no longer free).


If that's because you got too old for free prescriptions; then do you know about HC1 form to get free prescriptions if you are on a low income? (As most students are)

If not then ignore me lol.
Reply 8
A-W-H

Seriously though, I understand students have certain disabilites that need allowances for certain things, but OP, what does diabetes do that you would need an allowance for?


Depends on what impact it has on their studies and academic life but, especially if it isn't particularly well controlled (with can result in things like fatigue), I can see why someone with diabetes might need certain things like a voice recorder (to record lectures) or a book allowance.

jellybelly92
I have just applied for the DSA and I was wondering whether I will receive it as I have diabetes? If so does anyone know how much I might be entitled to if so?


You don't get an actual allowance or amount of money as such, it's not a grant in that sense.

You have a needs assessment and, during this needs assessment, your academic needs are highlighted. You are able to discuss problems you think you'll have with an advisor and they'll produce a report recommending support (things you can claim through DSA). The money from the DSA itself is usually paid directly to the university, supplier or organisation involved in providing the support although there are exceptions.

There are three components of DSA

Specialist equipment (up to 5k for the duration of the course)
Non-medical helper allowance (up to 20.5k a year)
General allowance (£1,724 a year)

The specialist equipment can include things like a computer and apporpriate software, a voice recorder (to record lectures), a PDA or anything else that might be relevant and essential to your study.

Non-medical helper (things like someone to carry equipment or books, an assistant to help with labwork or in the library, study skills sessions and a mentor)

General allowance (non-essential books, photocopying, Internet costs or, if you face additional costs as a result of your disability, travel costs).

How much you get really depends on the extent to which your study is affected by your condition. The amounts stated above are maximum amounts, and it's rare for any student to even get close to those amounts (those who do will have complex needs and/or mulitple disabilities).
Reply 9
RightSaidJames
Diabetes is hardly a disability, it's just a condition that requires you to schedule your meals, stab yourself 4 times a day and regularly prick your fingers. I don't see how DSA would be of any benefit to your studying.


morecambebay
Why does diabetes mean that you need extra help with studying?



Diabetes meets the definition of a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), the "official" means of determining whether something is a disability or not.

Whether someone with diabetes thinks they have a disability is another matter. But the same can be said for a number of things like autism, dyslexia, epilepsy or dyspraxia.

Disabled Student Allowances are to cover additional study related costs as a result of disability or chronic medical conditions. So even if it's not accepted as a disability (which officially it is) then it's certainly a chronic medical condition.

Read the literature on disabled students allowance or the information on individual university websites and ALL will state that diabetes is a disability and someone with diabetes can apply for DSA if it affects their study.

If it's well controlled, and doesn't present any problems with regards to study, then it's unlikely the OP will receive much (if any) support. But diabetes isn't always well controlled and, depending on the person, can have a direct effect on their study.

But it's still worth informing the university of the situation (so they can provide a fridge in halls if necessary) and, if the student does feel unwell/their condition worsens, can be more understanding when it comes to occasional absence.

So it's worth the OP having a needs assessment, it's just no one can say how much she'll get (if anything) because it's such an individual thing.
Reply 10
A-W-H


Seriously though, I understand students have certain disabilites that need allowances for certain things, but OP, what does diabetes do that you would need an allowance for?


Yeah that's what I wonder lol but seeing as it is counted as a disability I thought i'd apply just to see...:smile:
Reply 11
And the woman who suggested it to me was on about having a mini fridge for insulin and stuff...so maybe that's where the money will go if I am entitled. But I understand everyone's points, diabetes isn't that big a deal and the only thing I would necessarily need is some extra change if my sugar level was low and I didn't have anything on me.. and I don't think that's a good enough reason really!
My friend has been diagnosed with MS could she apply for disabled student allowence?
kpwxx
If that's because you got too old for free prescriptions; then do you know about HC1 form to get free prescriptions if you are on a low income? (As most students are)

If not then ignore me lol.


I honestly never thought of myself as being on a low income so I just ignored that part of the form.

*investigates*

Thank you!
Reply 14
thatwhichiam
I honestly never thought of myself as being on a low income so I just ignored that part of the form.

*investigates*

Thank you!


Yeah I had some horrid woman on the phone shout at me about being a student not meaning you get it. But I did, and that was with my loans/grants/bursary and a little help from my parents. Just have to have the perseverance to fill in that horrid form. I mainly use it for free dentist check-ups, they charge a bomb for those!
Reply 15
You'll get a fridge, most likely. Can't see anything else that you would need for university due to your disability.
Reply 16
You do understand DSA is like an expenses claim, not just a set amount of money to do what you like with?
Sorry but you give the impression that it doesn't impact your studies and your just milking a medical condition... If you discuss it with your unis disability advisor and they think you can apply for things then fair enough, bit they're pretty good at telling if a person really needs support or just wants some free stuff.
Reply 17
ILoveOrangeJuice
My friend has been diagnosed with MS could she apply for disabled student allowence?


Yes she can, if MS means she has study related costs.
Reply 18
Shuvel
You do understand DSA is like an expenses claim, not just a set amount of money to do what you like with?
Sorry but you give the impression that it doesn't impact your studies and your just milking a medical condition... If you discuss it with your unis disability advisor and they think you can apply for things then fair enough, bit they're pretty good at telling if a person really needs support or just wants some free stuff.


Well no it doesn't really impact my studies, but why is it called a disability then? Just because I control my diabetes doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to have what others have to help them. I have had a major hypo during an exam before, and it affected me so much I had to leave the exam as I couldn't concentrate. What if this happens often during lectures and I miss out on vital notes? So really it's up to them but because I've heard nothing from a 'disability advisor' apart from when I went and asked, I'm quite unsure of what to do.
Reply 19
jellybelly92
Well no it doesn't really impact my studies, but why is it called a disability then? Just because I control my diabetes doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to have what others have to help them. I have had a major hypo during an exam before, and it affected me so much I had to leave the exam as I couldn't concentrate. What if this happens often during lectures and I miss out on vital notes? So really it's up to them but because I've heard nothing from a 'disability advisor' apart from when I went and asked, I'm quite unsure of what to do.



I agree with you jellybean seems to be alot of people on here, pointing out what you shouldnt be allowed in there clsoed mind opinions, but not many actually trying to help,

of course you can apply for DSA and of course you can have a needs assesment and then the assesor will look at your INDIVIDUAL case and decide weather you can have things to help you, a mini fridge is an excellent idea or even an area your medcines can be stored, also maybe soemone at your uni needs to be aware of your conditions and how to adminsiter you drugs etc..

you never asked for a freebies like electricals and books you asked can you apply and what ight be there to help you and i for say yes you can and your assesor will im certain fo dealt with diabites befire and recommend the correct items and services, becauswe your individual needs will be looked at.


i think alot of the negative and silly comments com efrom people who dont have a disablility or are not entilted to DSA and feel for some starnge reason envious of us that do get DSA, i say take the disability and have the equipemnt and support, i will gladly take no disability.

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