Hi guys, I'm new to the forum, but have read posts on here for a while and it seems you guys are all very knowledgeable and friendly so I have decided to post my question. I have seen posts with simular relevance, but nothing that really completely covers my situation/answers my questions.
Basically, I am going to be starting my fine art degree at UCA Farnham this september. I have sorted out my student finance ages ago, and sorted out my DSA as well, I have my needs assessment this coming monday. I have a variety of both pyhsical and mental conditions including: Behcet's syndrome (a rare chronic immune disorder which causes me to have joint aches and be quite ill sometimes), Spina bithida and scoliosis (which can make it hard for me to walk distances over 200 metres or so), M.E (chronic fatigue, which leaves me very exhausted and sometimes unable to walk far due to fatigue as well as my back problems). I also have severe OCD and depression leaving me having panic attacks quite often and needing constant reassurance.
Ugh, when I type it all out it's rather depressing to see down on paper..
Well, I have been accepted for DSA, and am just awaiting my needs assement, which as I said is on the following monday. I was told there would be a few things that I would be entitled to, a lady at my college said travel might be one of them, and i'm really counting on this. I never even questioned it to be fair, I just assumed that I would get support for this, and now I've looked into it more I am not sure if this is true.
Having ocd, this has really stressed out and I keep having panic attacks and am getting really quite down over it all.
I am going to be living at home (I live on my own due to estragment from my mum) and will of course need to pay my rent and food costs, as well as bills. But the problem is, I need to stay at home and commute to uni because of my disabilities. Although I don't live with him, I rely on my boyfriend and his family to take care of me almost on a daily basis, and would not be able to move because I need a familular support network around me. As well as this, having server ocd, I need to be in a familuar place to live and feel safe, so I am not moving due to these reasons.
This means that I will need to commute. The train is 40 minutes journey, but it's only 20 minutes to uni by car. Due to my disabilities however, I can not drive. Problem is, commuting by train is rediculously expensive. We're looking at close to £200 a month, and although I will get the maximum student mantinence grant/loan etc, I do not haver the money to cover my rent, bills and travel.
Sorry to go on and on, but my question is: Can DSA help with my travel as the reason I need to commute is due to my diasabilities. I've heard they can't help with public transport but I don't know if this is true. I've also heard they can pay for a taxi but again, I don't know if this is true or if I'd even qualify.
The problem is, I'm not going to be able to afford to get to uni if I can't get any additional help, and I'm really pannicing, and not sure how to tell them this at my needs assement monday.
Sorry for my first post being a long and rather depressing one! But I hope someone can help! xxx