Hi,
So, I'm a registered epileptic since I was 15, I've gone my entire life without requesting any support, financially or otherwise from university. This changed last year, and so I've decided to registered with Disability Support, and I'm incredibly frustrated from the meeting.
Suffice to say, as someone who's fairly active within the Students Union, I'm appalled with my experiences, and a colleagues experience with the service. (autism in their case)
So, after describing my condition, my needs (none, except a placement I can feasibly commute to) they informed that they had to another full assessment, an OT assessment and evidence of my disability. I have provided them with my medication list, the consultant who prescribed it, the epilepsy specialist who handles my particular case and recent email contact, with her, confirming my epilepsy. Yet, this has been dismissed. They demand a GP letter, which costs approximately £20 and takes weeks to process (so they say)
I find the costs punitive (GP practice I can accept) but I consider the universities stance here excessively bureaucratic. I've requested full clarification from the Disability Officer that she will only accept this, before I take the next step.
I find this whole system deliberately confusing and bureaucratic, and would feel that charging students to register as disabled is grossly discriminatory.
Thoughts TSR?
Thanks