Confusion about DSA

I am starting university in September, I have a letter from my psychiatrist about my depression and anxiety disorder. I have been sent a form from the DSA which I can write things I've spent money on and claim back.

Few questions:

1)What sort of things can I claim back money for? I'm commuting, would I be able to claim back my petrol?
2) Will my university contact me directly about anything else e.g. extra time, flexible hand its etc. (seen these on a few other posts.)

Thank you to anyone who can offer advice :smile:

Reply 1

claireestelle

Original post by hannahcullenn

It's more stuff you get given than cash itself, say you have to get a taxi to uni as your anxiety meant you couldn't walk, they would cover that but not a train itself as other students would need to get the train normally anyway.
You might be able to get a mentor and different software too :smile:

Your uni should contact you about exams and assignment adjustments such as having a separate room for exams. Have you had your needs assessment?

Reply 2

hannahcullenn

No I haven't yet! Is that once you have started! Thank you for helping!

Reply 3

Tiger Rag

Your DSA report will tell you the sorts of things you cna claim back money for.

With transport, it's the difference between taxis and public transport - because a non-disabled student will have to pay those costs too. Or in my case, I was awarded costs to have someone come with me. So, I paid my train fare and I claimed back theirs. (because if I wasn't disabled, I would have been perfectly capable of making the journey myself)

Reply 4

claireestelle

Original post by hannahcullenn

No I haven't yet! Is that once you have started! Thank you for helping!

dsa should send you a letter telling you to book one, i think

Reply 5

Dauntless

Ideally you want your assessment sooner rather than later. That way if you need any support at uni it can be put in place for when you start.

Reply 6

RosieEPQ

I just had my needs assessment for major depressive disorder with psychosis and this is what they said...

- If I pay the first £200, they will top up the rest to get me a laptop
- They will give me a printer, book scanner and printing allowance
- They will give me mind-mapping software to help me plan essays and help with references
- They will give me software that reads text aloud, as when I'm depressed I find it hard to read
- They will give me a dictaphone to record lectures, so I can have a record of the lecture in case I have an episode during one
- They will provide me with a certain amount of hours of training to help me set up the tech stuff
- They will pay for a study mentor to help keep me on track for 2 hours per week

This all needs to be approved by SFE but that's what my assessor recommended :smile:

Hope that helps you see what kind of stuff DSA might help with for mental health conditions!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 7

RosieEPQ

Oh and we talked about exam arrangements - he recommended what I had at A-level which was extra time, rest breaks and a quiet room :smile:

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 8

Tiger Rag

Original post by RosieEPQ

Oh and we talked about exam arrangements - he recommended what I had at A-level which was extra time, rest breaks and a quiet room :smile:

Posted from TSR Mobile

With your quiet room, you may have other students in there with you. But it'll only be a few. I know that when I resat GCSE Science in year 13, they put me in with students who didn't have extra time. Because of this, I was still working when they were all leaving. That was very off putting.

Reply 9

RosieEPQ

Original post by OU Student

Thank you - I had the same problem with my GCSEs! I needed a rest break and my extra time so I was only about 3/4 of the way through my English lit paper when the other two people left :/ still better than a big exam hall, for me at least :smile:

Posted from TSR Mobile