Does bad eyesight count has a disability?

I've got a medical condition that means that my eye sight gets steadily worse. I'm ok at the moment. One of my eyes is next to useless but the other one is performing at 90%. In a few years it probably won't.

I was wondering. Is it possible to get a DSA? I'm going to a specialist hospital in London. Which means that I will have to travel often between Bristol and London. None of my family can pick me up because they all work on the weekdays. I would also really love to get a Dictaphone and a Laptop with a large screen size. That way I don't have to squint.

How long does it take to process? I've got an appointment with my gp to write a letter about my condition. I kind of want to have everything sorted before I start my classes.

Reply 1

inksplodge

17

I would suggest contacting your university's disability dept and see if they can help.

I just recently had an assessment for my DSA but I am with the Open University so I guess it is slightly different. They recommend things - so you might not get a laptop or a dictaphone, but they might recommend something else that they think would be useful :smile:

Also it takes time for the equipment to come. I would personally find out if you are eligible ASAP and if you are, get your form in the post and whatnot as soon as poss.

Reply 2

hypocriticaljap

2

Not for anything to do with your treatment.

Reply 3

PercyChatsworth

10

Can't you get help with your travel costs from the hospital? Once you are a student you should be able to get an HC2 certificate on low income grounds and with this you should be able to claim a refund on your travel costs to hospital. You will need to keep all receipts for your travel and you will need to claim using an HC5 form. Claims must be received within three months of your paying the charge.

All the forms are on this website: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HelpWithHealthCosts.aspx

Reply 4

Ell!e

I agree with above (contact the university) - I have two disabilities, waiting to hear back on one and the second is I'm deaf... but not deaf enough apparently (only in my left ear) so I don't conform to any special needs category in that area, could be the same with your eyes, but you never know until you've tried :smile:

Reply 5

Stettin

OP

PercyChatsworth

Can't you get help with your travel costs from the hospital? Once you are a student you should be able to get an HC2 certificate on low income grounds and with this you should be able to claim a refund on your travel costs to hospital. You will need to keep all receipts for your travel and you will need to claim using an HC5 form. Claims must be received within three months of your paying the charge.

All the forms are on this website: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HelpWithHealthCosts.aspx

It's moorfields eye hospital. Getting somebody to see me when I have an appointment usually requires coming in an hour before my appointment and sitting down for 2 hours. They are understaffed. The only time they want to see or hear me is if i change my contact details. So they're a no go. Besides the hospital is on the other side of london. It costs money to even get there.

Reply 6

Stettin

OP

All right I got the letter from my GP. I'm contacting my university tomorrow for more information.

The question I have is how long will it take for Student finance to read it and process it? It took them weeks to do my Student Loan. I want to get this sorted before I start my classes.

hypocriticaljap

Not for anything to do with your treatment.

I don't need them to pay for my medical costs. I have none. My hospital is NHS.