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DSA for dyslexia and dyspraxia
Hi All,
I've not been on TSR for a long time but thought this would be the place to get a few questions answered.
I'm a postgrad and had an assessment on Friday with an Educational Psychologist. She told me that I have dyspraxia and to a lesser extend dyslexia as well. Like most people with learning difficulties I don't fit neatly into a box with the classic symptoms. My learning difficulties have gone undiagnosed for years, in art because when i was at school in the mid 1990s dyspraxia was rarely acknowledged and most teachers didn't have a clue what it was. The psychologist reckons that because it hadn't been identified until now it would have had an adverse affect on my GCSEs, A Levels and my BA degree.
In her recommendations she suggested that i use a computer as much as possible for work. I have a laptop at the moment but it's about 8 years old and although it's running fine at the moment it died a horrible death about a year ago and had to be fixed at a computer repair shop. It's not amazing by today's standards but it has enough memory for what i use it for which is essentially uni work and using the internet. It runs on Windows XP.
The problems i do have with it however is that the version of office i have only has Word 97 and Excel 97, the Power Point that i have on it only seems to be a viewer that allows me to open and look at Power Point presentations i download off the uni Blackboard thing but won't let me actually make a PP presentation myself. I find it all very restrictive and often have problems looking at Word documents people send me if they're using a newer version of Word and also when i send Word documents to people they sometimes have problems because my version is so old. I also have problems if i want to open a Word document on one of the uni computers that i have saved on my memory stick.
My question is, will the DSA provide me with an up to date Microsoft Office package for my computer? Also, the disc drive on my computer won't read discs anymore, it won't play CDs, DVDs or CD Roms, so it makes copying data from or to a CD/DVD impossible. So would this mean i wouldn't be able to upload Office to my computer if i did get a new version of it?
With this all in mind would they be likely to recommend that i be allowed to get a new laptop? I'm quite happy with keeping my current machine as I'm so used to using it and i think it would take me a while to get used to a new one. I just think i could use some up to date software.
I've not been on TSR for a long time but thought this would be the place to get a few questions answered.
I'm a postgrad and had an assessment on Friday with an Educational Psychologist. She told me that I have dyspraxia and to a lesser extend dyslexia as well. Like most people with learning difficulties I don't fit neatly into a box with the classic symptoms. My learning difficulties have gone undiagnosed for years, in art because when i was at school in the mid 1990s dyspraxia was rarely acknowledged and most teachers didn't have a clue what it was. The psychologist reckons that because it hadn't been identified until now it would have had an adverse affect on my GCSEs, A Levels and my BA degree.
In her recommendations she suggested that i use a computer as much as possible for work. I have a laptop at the moment but it's about 8 years old and although it's running fine at the moment it died a horrible death about a year ago and had to be fixed at a computer repair shop. It's not amazing by today's standards but it has enough memory for what i use it for which is essentially uni work and using the internet. It runs on Windows XP.
The problems i do have with it however is that the version of office i have only has Word 97 and Excel 97, the Power Point that i have on it only seems to be a viewer that allows me to open and look at Power Point presentations i download off the uni Blackboard thing but won't let me actually make a PP presentation myself. I find it all very restrictive and often have problems looking at Word documents people send me if they're using a newer version of Word and also when i send Word documents to people they sometimes have problems because my version is so old. I also have problems if i want to open a Word document on one of the uni computers that i have saved on my memory stick.
My question is, will the DSA provide me with an up to date Microsoft Office package for my computer? Also, the disc drive on my computer won't read discs anymore, it won't play CDs, DVDs or CD Roms, so it makes copying data from or to a CD/DVD impossible. So would this mean i wouldn't be able to upload Office to my computer if i did get a new version of it?
With this all in mind would they be likely to recommend that i be allowed to get a new laptop? I'm quite happy with keeping my current machine as I'm so used to using it and i think it would take me a while to get used to a new one. I just think i could use some up to date software.
Yes, they should offer you a new laptop and software to go along with this 
. They'll first decide what software you need- perhaps Claro and Dragon Voice Recognition on top of the Microsoft Word Professional package. They provide the most up to date one so 2011/2012. If you inform them that your laptop is substandard and the disc drive doesn't work, they will supply a new one. It could be a fantastic or absolutely rubbish piece of kit, it varies. Generally people are given Toshiba's. On the other hand, some people get unbranded laptops from DSA-type factories.
Hope that helps a bit
. They'll first decide what software you need- perhaps Claro and Dragon Voice Recognition on top of the Microsoft Word Professional package. They provide the most up to date one so 2011/2012. If you inform them that your laptop is substandard and the disc drive doesn't work, they will supply a new one. It could be a fantastic or absolutely rubbish piece of kit, it varies. Generally people are given Toshiba's. On the other hand, some people get unbranded laptops from DSA-type factories.Hope that helps a bit
That's a great help thanks. I do really like my current laptop, it's a Sony VAIO, when i bought it I think it cost about £600 and was deemed a fairly high spec at the time but nowadays it's probably a bit out of date. That said it's fast enough and has enough memory for what i use it for. I also have an external hard drive that i use to store old stuff that i want to keep hold of and movies etc.
From some browsing of the internet I've discovered that Microsoft do a Microsoft Office Professional Academic package (it has Word, PowerPoint, Excel, One Note etc) which seems ideal for my type of study, especially going forward onto a PhD in the near future. Would they cover the cost of that? I found it on the web for between £50-£100.
Also is there the option of 'topping up' eg they say that there is a budget of X amount for a laptop but i say i'd like to add a little bit to it to get something better?
From some browsing of the internet I've discovered that Microsoft do a Microsoft Office Professional Academic package (it has Word, PowerPoint, Excel, One Note etc) which seems ideal for my type of study, especially going forward onto a PhD in the near future. Would they cover the cost of that? I found it on the web for between £50-£100.
Also is there the option of 'topping up' eg they say that there is a budget of X amount for a laptop but i say i'd like to add a little bit to it to get something better?
Oh and another question i have is, would the DSA cover the use of a tutor to help me with my language module. I discussed my difficulties with languages in my assessment and the main problem i have is that the lecture speed is to fast for me to take in all of the information. I never did very well in languages and maths in school and this is apparently down to my learning difficulties. Having someone to tutor me in addition to my lectures would be invaluable. I've considered hiring a tutor before to help me but it's cost prohibitive, I once had a PhD student help me out for an hour in return for a coffee and piece of cake but it was very much a one off and he has graduated now anyway. I feel like i need someone on a regular basis to help me go over what we did in class but at a speed that is better for me.
Hallo, long time no see.
Yeah, I was going to say that Microsoft offer an Office package to all Higher Education students for £50 (it was £50 anyway). All you need to provide as proof is to provide your unviersity email address.
In my original Needs Assessment a computer and software wasn't discussed (I didn't feel it was needed and, as I had what was then a brand new desktop, they wouldn't recommended a computer anyway) However, in my second assessment, over three years later, it was mentioned and I was provided with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and a laptop (desktop died a death the previous month). So, yes, Office can be provided when necessary. They might recommend a more expensive Office package, as they did with me, but if you can get what you need for £50 - £100 then it shouldn't matter.
Even if you are recommended a computer DSA it is likely to be a desktop not a laptop. In my opinion it's still worth getting a computer if one is recommended. You can still use the laptop as your main computer but have the desktop as a "back up". You don't want your laptop to break down as you're fast approaching deadlines and to be left without a computer.
As for a tutor that's a tricky one. Study skills tutors and mentors are usually available under the non-medical helper allowance. I'm not sure if what you're asking for would be covered, however. I do know of some students who have received postgraduate tuition through DSA but this has usually been quite general help with essays. For example, one student struggled with confidence when it came to writing essays so he was provided with a postgrad with whom he had regular meetings and provided essay plans (it was ensured that this postgrad, though in the department, did not have specialist knowledge in the module and kept advice general). So you'll need to discuss this in your Needs Assessment or with DUSSD later on.
You will need to get permission from your funding body first but it is sometimes possible, yes but, again, it is increasingly common for desktops to be favoured over laptops now. Desktops offer better value for money, are more upgradeable, and usually cheaper. Unless space or mobility is an issue a desktop will usually suffice.
Also, if you do apply for DSA and have a Needs Assessment, don't forget to get in touch with DUSSD and arrange a meeting with a Disability Advisor if you haven't already. They'll be able to provide what is known as a "RRA report" (Recommended Reasonable Adjustments) and this report is sent to your department. Common recommended reasonable adjustments will include a named contact in the department who you can contact if you require support/experience difficulties (this is important to have, even if you don't think it's necessary, trust me!), flexible deadlines and extended library loans (three day loans are extended to five days, I think).
Original post by pipsi
From some browsing of the internet I've discovered that Microsoft do a Microsoft Office Professional Academic package (it has Word, PowerPoint, Excel, One Note etc) which seems ideal for my type of study, especially going forward onto a PhD in the near future. Would they cover the cost of that? I found it on the web for between £50-£100.
Yeah, I was going to say that Microsoft offer an Office package to all Higher Education students for £50 (it was £50 anyway). All you need to provide as proof is to provide your unviersity email address.
In my original Needs Assessment a computer and software wasn't discussed (I didn't feel it was needed and, as I had what was then a brand new desktop, they wouldn't recommended a computer anyway) However, in my second assessment, over three years later, it was mentioned and I was provided with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and a laptop (desktop died a death the previous month). So, yes, Office can be provided when necessary. They might recommend a more expensive Office package, as they did with me, but if you can get what you need for £50 - £100 then it shouldn't matter.
Even if you are recommended a computer DSA it is likely to be a desktop not a laptop. In my opinion it's still worth getting a computer if one is recommended. You can still use the laptop as your main computer but have the desktop as a "back up". You don't want your laptop to break down as you're fast approaching deadlines and to be left without a computer.
As for a tutor that's a tricky one. Study skills tutors and mentors are usually available under the non-medical helper allowance. I'm not sure if what you're asking for would be covered, however. I do know of some students who have received postgraduate tuition through DSA but this has usually been quite general help with essays. For example, one student struggled with confidence when it came to writing essays so he was provided with a postgrad with whom he had regular meetings and provided essay plans (it was ensured that this postgrad, though in the department, did not have specialist knowledge in the module and kept advice general). So you'll need to discuss this in your Needs Assessment or with DUSSD later on.
Also is there the option of 'topping up' eg they say that there is a budget of X amount for a laptop but i say i'd like to add a little bit to it to get something better?
You will need to get permission from your funding body first but it is sometimes possible, yes but, again, it is increasingly common for desktops to be favoured over laptops now. Desktops offer better value for money, are more upgradeable, and usually cheaper. Unless space or mobility is an issue a desktop will usually suffice.
Also, if you do apply for DSA and have a Needs Assessment, don't forget to get in touch with DUSSD and arrange a meeting with a Disability Advisor if you haven't already. They'll be able to provide what is known as a "RRA report" (Recommended Reasonable Adjustments) and this report is sent to your department. Common recommended reasonable adjustments will include a named contact in the department who you can contact if you require support/experience difficulties (this is important to have, even if you don't think it's necessary, trust me!), flexible deadlines and extended library loans (three day loans are extended to five days, I think).
Thanks River - it's useful that you know how things work specifically at Durham as well.
So far I've had an initial assessment at DUSSD and then on Friday I had an assessment with an Educational Psychologist who is now in the process of writing my report, she said it'll be ready in a couple of weeks so i guess at that stage when i receive the report I'll have to make an appointment at DUSSD to discuss what help has been recommended in the report and how they can action that.
The things I will find most useful will be;
- Free print credits (I find I print/photocopy a lot as i find it easier to work with something tangible and struggle with using online resources, proof reading my essays etc on a computer screen, I also find writing notes in the margin helps me immensely)
- help with library loans such as extended loan periods (altohugh I think as a postgrad I already have this to a certain degree)
- updated software for my computer such as the Microsoft Office Professional Academic (which appears to have everything in the Office Professional package but is cheaper for academic use)
- access to lecture notes and visual aids that lecturers use but don't necessarily put on blackboard
- someone to tutor me with my Hebrew and help explain things to me again after classes. Sometimes i can keep up for the first 15 mins and then i just get completely lost and if i ask lots of questions to try and continue to understand what's going on i'd be holding the rest of the class back and probably annoying everyone in the process. My poor working memory also means i find it really really hard to learn vocab. As the classes get more technical i get more and more lost until i just haven't got a clue at all.
I find it easier to use my laptop on the move and can type better when taking notes than writing things down, my handwriting and processing speed means using a computer in lectures is more useful to me than doing hand written notes so i guess if they did recommend a new computer with this in mind it might be a reason to justify a laptop rather than a desktop. On the other hand i do like my current laptop even though it's a bit old so i could use a desk top at home and use my current laptop for lectures and stuff like that. Also when i get onto my research degree I'll want to apply for study space in the department, obviously a laptop would be easier to use than moving a desktop between home and my study space in the department.
So far I've had an initial assessment at DUSSD and then on Friday I had an assessment with an Educational Psychologist who is now in the process of writing my report, she said it'll be ready in a couple of weeks so i guess at that stage when i receive the report I'll have to make an appointment at DUSSD to discuss what help has been recommended in the report and how they can action that.
The things I will find most useful will be;
- Free print credits (I find I print/photocopy a lot as i find it easier to work with something tangible and struggle with using online resources, proof reading my essays etc on a computer screen, I also find writing notes in the margin helps me immensely)
- help with library loans such as extended loan periods (altohugh I think as a postgrad I already have this to a certain degree)
- updated software for my computer such as the Microsoft Office Professional Academic (which appears to have everything in the Office Professional package but is cheaper for academic use)
- access to lecture notes and visual aids that lecturers use but don't necessarily put on blackboard
- someone to tutor me with my Hebrew and help explain things to me again after classes. Sometimes i can keep up for the first 15 mins and then i just get completely lost and if i ask lots of questions to try and continue to understand what's going on i'd be holding the rest of the class back and probably annoying everyone in the process. My poor working memory also means i find it really really hard to learn vocab. As the classes get more technical i get more and more lost until i just haven't got a clue at all.
I find it easier to use my laptop on the move and can type better when taking notes than writing things down, my handwriting and processing speed means using a computer in lectures is more useful to me than doing hand written notes so i guess if they did recommend a new computer with this in mind it might be a reason to justify a laptop rather than a desktop. On the other hand i do like my current laptop even though it's a bit old so i could use a desk top at home and use my current laptop for lectures and stuff like that. Also when i get onto my research degree I'll want to apply for study space in the department, obviously a laptop would be easier to use than moving a desktop between home and my study space in the department.
Original post by pipsi
The things I will find most useful will be;
- Free print credits (I find I print/photocopy a lot as i find it easier to work with something tangible and struggle with using online resources, proof reading my essays etc on a computer screen, I also find writing notes in the margin helps me immensely)
The things I will find most useful will be;
- Free print credits (I find I print/photocopy a lot as i find it easier to work with something tangible and struggle with using online resources, proof reading my essays etc on a computer screen, I also find writing notes in the margin helps me immensely)
You may get a printer and printer ink paid for instead.
- someone to tutor me with my Hebrew and help explain things to me again after classes. Sometimes i can keep up for the first 15 mins and then i just get completely lost and if i ask lots of questions to try and continue to understand what's going on i'd be holding the rest of the class back and probably annoying everyone in the process. My poor working memory also means i find it really really hard to learn vocab. As the classes get more technical i get more and more lost until i just haven't got a clue at all.
A dictaphone (voice recorder) might be an option for you.
Original post by OU Student
You may get a printer and printer ink paid for instead.
A dictaphone (voice recorder) might be an option for you.
A dictaphone (voice recorder) might be an option for you.
I already have a decent printer but ink for it is expensive versus what it would cost them to provide me with free credits in the library. I'd be happy with either solution, obviously ink for my own printer would be more convenient for me but I'd be happy with using the library if i had to.
A dictaphone wouldn't be much use in a language class where a lot of stuff is written on the white board, so a video of the lecture would be better in that respect but I'm not sure how much use it would be to me. The problem i have is with the speed of the class and i often have questions to ask but I'd be holding up everyone else if i kept putting my hand up. i really need someone to work through the course at my speed, making sure I understand everything using lots of examples. Often the lecturer uses one example to demonstrate something to the class, most people get it first time round and then he moves on to something else, I'm usually still really confused, by the end of most classes I haven't got a clue what has gone on and my notes really don't make any sense. Even watching a video of the class again would leave me still confused, I really need someone who can teach me at my own speed. Unfortunately it doesn't look like this will be covered by DSA and unfortunately it's too late to change to a different module. I didn't want to do a language in the first place because i did so badly with language modules in my first degree but i was given incorrect information at the start of my course and was at the time advised that it was compulsory to take a language module, I later discovered that this wasn't the case.
Also another question is how long does it take to get the ball rolling once i get my report back? I should have the report in a week or so, so i guess the next step then is to make an appointment with DUSSD to discuss what adjustments would be useful for me. From what I gather though i will have to fill out some sort of form to apply for funding???? What is this? What does it cover? And how long does it take to process?
I don't have much longer left in this course and my deadlines are fast approaching. I will hopefully be studying a Masters next year so obviously will need the help then too. Will I get any help at all before the form is processed? How long will it take before the funding (if I'm even eligible for it) comes through? I thought that once I had the assessment with the psychologist it would be fairly straight forward. It took me several months to secure funding to pay for the assessment which has obviously caused a huge delay in getting the help i need. I thought i'd overcome the biggest hurdle, i didn't realise there was so much more to do. Help.
I don't have much longer left in this course and my deadlines are fast approaching. I will hopefully be studying a Masters next year so obviously will need the help then too. Will I get any help at all before the form is processed? How long will it take before the funding (if I'm even eligible for it) comes through? I thought that once I had the assessment with the psychologist it would be fairly straight forward. It took me several months to secure funding to pay for the assessment which has obviously caused a huge delay in getting the help i need. I thought i'd overcome the biggest hurdle, i didn't realise there was so much more to do. Help.
Original post by pipsi
Also another question is how long does it take to get the ball rolling once i get my report back? I should have the report in a week or so, so i guess the next step then is to make an appointment with DUSSD to discuss what adjustments would be useful for me. From what I gather though i will have to fill out some sort of form to apply for funding???? What is this? What does it cover? And how long does it take to process?
The form you have to fill in, is so they can get a better idea of your difficulties. I seem to remember having to say what difficulties I have. I then had a meeting (don't worry, it's not that bad) about what would help me. This included things like extra time in exams, etc.
Original post by pipsi
Also another question is how long does it take to get the ball rolling once i get my report back? I should have the report in a week or so, so i guess the next step then is to make an appointment with DUSSD to discuss what adjustments would be useful for me. From what I gather though i will have to fill out some sort of form to apply for funding???? What is this? What does it cover? And how long does it take to process?
This might not be the most helpful things to say, I don't mean to make you more anxious, but DUSSD are quite short staffed (they have been for years) and seem particularly short staffed as one advisor is on maternity leave (which wasn't really expected) so this might have resulted in a backlog of getting RRA reports done. But don't worry too much, they work very hard and are professional, I'm sure you'll be a reasonably high priority.
I'm just making you aware so that, when you receive your report, to make an appointment at DUSSD immediately. It might be worth making an appointment now, for some time next week. Even if your report isn't back you can still have a chat with them.
As for other time scales, like how long it takes to get equipment and things, I can't really comment. When I applied and had both my assessments LEA's were responsible, now it's been taken over by SFE. My LEA were quick and efficient. For SFE I'd estimate another 2 - 6 weeks before getting the equipment.
Original post by River85
As for other time scales, like how long it takes to get equipment and things, I can't really comment. When I applied and had both my assessments LEA's were responsible, now it's been taken over by SFE. My LEA were quick and efficient. For SFE I'd estimate another 2 - 6 weeks before getting the equipment.
As for other time scales, like how long it takes to get equipment and things, I can't really comment. When I applied and had both my assessments LEA's were responsible, now it's been taken over by SFE. My LEA were quick and efficient. For SFE I'd estimate another 2 - 6 weeks before getting the equipment.
This is bad news if it could take up to 6 weeks for the finance form to be processed. In that case it would be close to the end of term before i get equipment/ software etc that I'd find useful. Like you know, in the third term not much happens at Durham so i will have completed most of my course before I get all of the help I need.
Original post by OU Student
The form you have to fill in, is so they can get a better idea of your difficulties. I seem to remember having to say what difficulties I have. I then had a meeting (don't worry, it's not that bad) about what would help me. This included things like extra time in exams, etc.
No it's some sort of financial form that gets sent to Student Finance England
So the report was emailed to me on Saturday, I've forwarded the email to relevant people such as my departmental secretary, dissertation supervisor etc so they know about my learning difficulties straight away and can make allowances/adjustments etc.
I also email DUSSD to get an appointment for as soon as is possible to start the next step. I've also printed off a copy of the 2011/12 DSA application form off the direct gov website so i can take it along to the meeting so that the advisor can sign it and i can send it off the same day. The website and advisory notes for filling in the form say it can take up to 14 weeks to be processed, but i'm guessing that is more of an indication for people who are applying for funding to be in place at the start of the academic year when it's a bit busier. I'm hoping it is a lot quicker. Some of the recommendations can be put in place straight away as they don't rely on the DSA funding such as exam concessions, more detailed reading lists, lecture notes in advance etc.
Importantly it has been recommended that i have my own computer and up to date software as well as free printer credits. I guess this is the stuff i need to wait for because of the funding. From reading through the literature it also looks like i might be able to get tuition on a one to one basis as well as this is allowed within the funding guidelines. But again i will have to wait for funding.
Has it been known for universities to arrange for this things to be sorted out/purchased before the funding comes through or does that never happen? Even if it only takes six weeks for funding to come through, that's almost the end of term. It'll be a real shame if all the help I need isn't in place until the last minute because it won't be much help at all for this course if that is the case. I suppose on the positive side it does mean that getting it all sorted for my MA will be easier.
I also email DUSSD to get an appointment for as soon as is possible to start the next step. I've also printed off a copy of the 2011/12 DSA application form off the direct gov website so i can take it along to the meeting so that the advisor can sign it and i can send it off the same day. The website and advisory notes for filling in the form say it can take up to 14 weeks to be processed, but i'm guessing that is more of an indication for people who are applying for funding to be in place at the start of the academic year when it's a bit busier. I'm hoping it is a lot quicker. Some of the recommendations can be put in place straight away as they don't rely on the DSA funding such as exam concessions, more detailed reading lists, lecture notes in advance etc.
Importantly it has been recommended that i have my own computer and up to date software as well as free printer credits. I guess this is the stuff i need to wait for because of the funding. From reading through the literature it also looks like i might be able to get tuition on a one to one basis as well as this is allowed within the funding guidelines. But again i will have to wait for funding.
Has it been known for universities to arrange for this things to be sorted out/purchased before the funding comes through or does that never happen? Even if it only takes six weeks for funding to come through, that's almost the end of term. It'll be a real shame if all the help I need isn't in place until the last minute because it won't be much help at all for this course if that is the case. I suppose on the positive side it does mean that getting it all sorted for my MA will be easier.
Original post by OU Student
If your Dyslexia report states that you need extra time in exams, your uni might be happy with that.
They will be, i don't remember saying that they wouldn't. The help that the uni can put in place that won't cost anything like extra time in exams, access to more detailed reading lists etc can be put in place straight away.
My main concerns are with the things i need that will require the funding form to be processed before I get access to them, such as print credits, a tutor, computer software etc
Original post by pipsi
Hi All,
I've not been on TSR for a long time but thought this would be the place to get a few questions answered.
I'm a postgrad and had an assessment on Friday with an Educational Psychologist. She told me that I have dyspraxia and to a lesser extend dyslexia as well. Like most people with learning difficulties I don't fit neatly into a box with the classic symptoms. My learning difficulties have gone undiagnosed for years, in art because when i was at school in the mid 1990s dyspraxia was rarely acknowledged and most teachers didn't have a clue what it was. The psychologist reckons that because it hadn't been identified until now it would have had an adverse affect on my GCSEs, A Levels and my BA degree.
In her recommendations she suggested that i use a computer as much as possible for work. I have a laptop at the moment but it's about 8 years old and although it's running fine at the moment it died a horrible death about a year ago and had to be fixed at a computer repair shop. It's not amazing by today's standards but it has enough memory for what i use it for which is essentially uni work and using the internet. It runs on Windows XP.
The problems i do have with it however is that the version of office i have only has Word 97 and Excel 97, the Power Point that i have on it only seems to be a viewer that allows me to open and look at Power Point presentations i download off the uni Blackboard thing but won't let me actually make a PP presentation myself. I find it all very restrictive and often have problems looking at Word documents people send me if they're using a newer version of Word and also when i send Word documents to people they sometimes have problems because my version is so old. I also have problems if i want to open a Word document on one of the uni computers that i have saved on my memory stick.
My question is, will the DSA provide me with an up to date Microsoft Office package for my computer? Also, the disc drive on my computer won't read discs anymore, it won't play CDs, DVDs or CD Roms, so it makes copying data from or to a CD/DVD impossible. So would this mean i wouldn't be able to upload Office to my computer if i did get a new version of it?
With this all in mind would they be likely to recommend that i be allowed to get a new laptop? I'm quite happy with keeping my current machine as I'm so used to using it and i think it would take me a while to get used to a new one. I just think i could use some up to date software.
I've not been on TSR for a long time but thought this would be the place to get a few questions answered.
I'm a postgrad and had an assessment on Friday with an Educational Psychologist. She told me that I have dyspraxia and to a lesser extend dyslexia as well. Like most people with learning difficulties I don't fit neatly into a box with the classic symptoms. My learning difficulties have gone undiagnosed for years, in art because when i was at school in the mid 1990s dyspraxia was rarely acknowledged and most teachers didn't have a clue what it was. The psychologist reckons that because it hadn't been identified until now it would have had an adverse affect on my GCSEs, A Levels and my BA degree.
In her recommendations she suggested that i use a computer as much as possible for work. I have a laptop at the moment but it's about 8 years old and although it's running fine at the moment it died a horrible death about a year ago and had to be fixed at a computer repair shop. It's not amazing by today's standards but it has enough memory for what i use it for which is essentially uni work and using the internet. It runs on Windows XP.
The problems i do have with it however is that the version of office i have only has Word 97 and Excel 97, the Power Point that i have on it only seems to be a viewer that allows me to open and look at Power Point presentations i download off the uni Blackboard thing but won't let me actually make a PP presentation myself. I find it all very restrictive and often have problems looking at Word documents people send me if they're using a newer version of Word and also when i send Word documents to people they sometimes have problems because my version is so old. I also have problems if i want to open a Word document on one of the uni computers that i have saved on my memory stick.
My question is, will the DSA provide me with an up to date Microsoft Office package for my computer? Also, the disc drive on my computer won't read discs anymore, it won't play CDs, DVDs or CD Roms, so it makes copying data from or to a CD/DVD impossible. So would this mean i wouldn't be able to upload Office to my computer if i did get a new version of it?
With this all in mind would they be likely to recommend that i be allowed to get a new laptop? I'm quite happy with keeping my current machine as I'm so used to using it and i think it would take me a while to get used to a new one. I just think i could use some up to date software.
hi.. did you end up getting money to hire a tutor?
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