Disabled Students FAQ (Under Construction)

Hi im dyslexic and i have a report done to prove it. In in A2 doing Maths Biology and Chemistry. When do i apply for the DSA (before/after the student finance and when do i apply for student finance). Also can i get help from the goverment whilst in school scence the shool doest help much at all infact have just comlitly dismissed the situation by saying 'you not dyslexic and you wont get an help even if you were as exam board have strict guidlines'.

I was just wondering how the prosess happens and how i can get addition funding and specialist equiptment (macbook, sanner ect.). Also if i take a gap year can i still get help.

Reply 101

Tiger Rag

22

Original post by kingpro88

Hi im dyslexic and i have a report done to prove it. In in A2 doing Maths Biology and Chemistry. When do i apply for the DSA (before/after the student finance and when do i apply for student finance). Also can i get help from the goverment whilst in school scence the shool doest help much at all infact have just comlitly dismissed the situation by saying 'you not dyslexic and you wont get an help even if you were as exam board have strict guidlines'.

I was just wondering how the prosess happens and how i can get addition funding and specialist equiptment (macbook, sanner ect.). Also if i take a gap year can i still get help.

You can apply for student finance and DSA now. You can apply for both at the same time.

Reply 102

username920967

Original post by kingpro88

Hi im dyslexic and i have a report done to prove it. In in A2 doing Maths Biology and Chemistry. When do i apply for the DSA (before/after the student finance and when do i apply for student finance). Also can i get help from the goverment whilst in school scence the shool doest help much at all infact have just comlitly dismissed the situation by saying 'you not dyslexic and you wont get an help even if you were as exam board have strict guidlines'.

I was just wondering how the prosess happens and how i can get addition funding and specialist equiptment (macbook, sanner ect.). Also if i take a gap year can i still get help.

I seriously doubt you will get a macbook for your DSA.

Reply 103

NJones

6

Original post by sudospider

I seriously doubt you will get a macbook for your DSA.

SFE will not support a recommendation for MacBook unless the student is on a Mac only course, e.g. design/ graphics and cannot get to the uni to use the facilities made available.

Reply 104

Catherine13

2

I received a laptop from DSA and it had a year subscription to McAfee included.
Just wondered if I would be reimbursed for security?

Reply 105

Ethereal

OP

19

Original post by Catherine13

I received a laptop from DSA and it had a year subscription to McAfee included.
Just wondered if I would be reimbursed for security?

I'd say it is unlikely because it isn't specialist software which mitigates the effect of your disability on your learning.

Reply 106

rickfloss

17

Original post by Catherine13

I received a laptop from DSA and it had a year subscription to McAfee included.
Just wondered if I would be reimbursed for security?

as an extra tip

Barclays offer free security for current account holders, via kaspersky

Reply 107

monokurobuu

7

Does anyone have advice about getting a drs letter for DSA? My school have also asked for one concerning my exams and I have similar problems there too.

Namely, my dr has made it clear that they are an expert in my illness, not occupational health. They really, really don't like making statements about what I could or could not do in an educational environment or what adjustments would be needed to make for exams. They are however, more than happy to tell people that XYZ part of my anatomy has ABC problem.

I've asked a previous consultant about a letter for a transport allowance, they reacted very negatively (from what I believe is a political standpoint). When I asked them to write a letter, they responded saying that they wouldn't do it and that if I was unable to commute on public transport to my office job, I should simple give up the majority of my pay indefinitely in order to continue to work that job (£50 from £80 a day pre-tax). :s-smilie:

Reply 108

Katy100

3

Original post by monokurobuu

Does anyone have advice about getting a drs letter for DSA? My school have also asked for one concerning my exams and I have similar problems there too.

Namely, my dr has made it clear that they are an expert in my illness, not occupational health. They really, really don't like making statements about what I could or could not do in an educational environment or what adjustments would be needed to make for exams. They are however, more than happy to tell people that XYZ part of my anatomy has ABC problem.

I've asked a previous consultant about a letter for a transport allowance, they reacted very negatively (from what I believe is a political standpoint). When I asked them to write a letter, they responded saying that they wouldn't do it and that if I was unable to commute on public transport to my office job, I should simple give up the majority of my pay indefinitely in order to continue to work that job (£50 from £80 a day pre-tax). :s-smilie:

My gosh that's awful of the consultant who refused to support your application for transport allowance.

Could you try requesting a letter from a different GP for DSA? Most medical practices allow you to request another GP. See if any friends/relatives know of any particularly supportive/considerate GPs at your medical practice. Failing that you could just ask for a letter that says what is wrong with you/names your condition and then you could fill in the details of how it affects you on your DSA form?

Reply 109

rniven

Hi

Just about to apply for dsa but my gp said that they only fill in tick box forms. Im no longer under a hospital as i have chronic back pain and there aren't any more treatment options. I see an osteopath weekly who knows more than anyone the problems i have, specifically with my mobility. Will a detailed letter suffice, along with dla award and prescription? Any advice would be most appreciated :smile:

Reply 110

Tiger Rag

22

Original post by rniven

Hi

Just about to apply for dsa but my gp said that they only fill in tick box forms. Im no longer under a hospital as i have chronic back pain and there aren't any more treatment options. I see an osteopath weekly who knows more than anyone the problems i have, specifically with my mobility. Will a detailed letter suffice, along with dla award and prescription? Any advice would be most appreciated :smile:

There's no point sending in a DLA award letter and prescription. All DSA care about is how your condition affects your ability to study.

Reply 111

Enirbsille

Hey,

I have ADHD and anxiety and I'm really lost about how to apply for accommodation and funding. I will be entitled to a bursary (most likely, once I figure out how to do that). In offer emails from universities they have given advice about funding and accommodation but what do I actually need to do, and by when, in order to ensure I get the funding and accommodation I need? I know I need a letter from my psychiatrist (which I have) explaining my needs and what the university can do to help me, but I'm really lost about the rest.

Reply 112

Airmed

21

@Tiger Rag @claireestelle I know you two are experts when it comes to DSA, so...

Do you have to 'reapply' for DSA every year? I only got funding for one year of meeting up with a mental health specialist. I've reapplied for SF but it's now saying I need to send away the DSA form again - with evidence - even though when I filled out the online SF application it said they would automatically reassess my DSA.

Reply 113

Tiger Rag

22

Original post by Airmed

@Tiger Rag @claireestelle I know you two are experts when it comes to DSA, so...

Do you have to 'reapply' for DSA every year? I only got funding for one year of meeting up with a mental health specialist. I've reapplied for SF but it's now saying I need to send away the DSA form again - with evidence - even though when I filled out the online SF application it said they would automatically reassess my DSA.

You have to reapply each year. But you only have to send in evidence for a worsening or new condition. You only get reassessed if your needs (including course) have changed.

Reply 114

Airmed

21

Original post by Tiger Rag

You have to reapply each year. But you only have to send in evidence for a worsening or new condition. You only get reassessed if your needs (including course) have changed.

Ok, so my uni has lied to me then. :s-smilie:

I've also had a slight change in my diagnosis...great. I need to get evidence. Wonderful.

Reply 115

Ella2b

4

If you are on a full time course you dont have to reapply

If you have only applied for DSA and not student finance, are on a post grad or part time course you do have to re apply each year.
Its on the yourdsa website

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 116

Airmed

21

Original post by Ella2b

If you are on a full time course you dont have to reapply

If you have only applied for DSA and not student finance, are on a post grad or part time course you do have to re apply each year.
Its on the yourdsa website

Posted from TSR Mobile

I'm student finance NI, it's a bit different here.