Disabled Students FAQ (Under Construction)

Has anyone told you you're entitled to one of the free bus passes and also a disabled persons railcard because you've lost your licence by way of medical refusal?

(Oh, and I have the Natwest railcard; it saves the same amount, and you can't use both anyway )

There aren't as many restrictions on the disabled person's card. And you can bring a companion who also gets the discount.

hi, this may be a stupid question, i am deaf, i wear 2 hearing aids. i havent been in education since my hearing loss. at my uni they asked if i would need anything to help me, and i said no because i dont know if i would or what could help.

so i would be very grateful if any one could advise me as to what could make uni life easier and where i can buy any equitment that i might need..

i start in 2 weeks and its been worrying me for ages but ive been to busy worrying about student finance

Hi,
I have a hearing impairment and am applying for the DSA, but how much support do you really get at university? In my letter of support it says what i may require but is it all granted??

No, it's not all granted. What support you can get depends on the university you are going to, so to find out exactly what is available you need to check the university's websites and/or contact their disability support service.

utter rubbish!
The DSA assessment is independent of the university and is based on the assessor's views of your needs

Hi,
I have a hearing impairment and am applying for the DSA, but how much support do you really get at university? In my letter of support it says what i may require but is it all granted??

Hi, applying for University finance this year coming ..
I don't know what I am supposed to do to apply for disability allowance, I have a mental health problem, and my psychiatrist told me I can apply for it, but I don't know what to do .. help please ?

Hi, I have an elbow/arm impairment (lacking strength/range of motion/endurance) and I have to have rest breaks in my exams because of this but it also affects daily life e.g. sports, dressing myself, shopping, cooking, carrying things, lifting things, reaching etc. I'm still being seen at the hospital and having physio and I'm involved in a lawsuit regarding the circumstances in which I got this impairment. Anyway, I haven't been declared or anything as having a disability except one mention of the word in a medical report and the doctors all think my injury will be permanent. Should I declare this as a disability on UCAS/apply for DSA?

If it affects your ability to perform day to day activities (e.g. shopping, carrying, lifting, dressing) then it will likely count as a disability and you should be eligible for DSA. The condition may need to be chronic, in that it's lasted or expected to last at least six months, but it doesn't need to be permanent.

If you do have problems doing those daily acitivites it may also be worth applying for Disability Living Allowance. DSA will only pay for course-related costs and you may find that there is certain support you may need which DSA won't cover (but the money you are given through DLA will do). If you are successful DLA is paid direct to your account (the amount of money you receive will depend on your care and mobility needs) and you can spend the money how you see fit. It's a particularly useful benefit as, if you receive it, you may then be eligible for housing benefit and emploment and support allowance, as well as additional money with jobseekers allowance (should you ever need to sign on). Normally full time students aren't entitled to housing benefit or ESA but exceptions are made for certain groups, including those receiving DLA.

Obviously I'm not forcing you into applying for it, and it's quite a complex and stressful application process (as many legitimate claims get refused and you need to appeal) but I'm just putting it out there as yoy may be eligible.

Disabled Students Allowance, on the other hand, isn't a particularly stressful thing to apply for and is relatively straightforward.