DSA for train costs

Hello,
I've just started a specialist course at a uni in the North. It's distance learning. I'm now a month in and my dyslexia and sensory impairments are making it extremely difficult to cope with everything being online. I thought I could manage, but I can't.

The uni has suggested that I could attend actual lectures one day a week, which would be so much easier and less challenging in terms of my disabilities.

However, although the cost of the course is the same,I would be paying in excess of £1000 a year in train fares. Would the DSA help? I had no intention of going back to lectures, but unless I do I will have to drop out.

Thanks!

Reply 1

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

22

Original post by Stellaoid

Hello,
I've just started a specialist course at a uni in the North. It's distance learning. I'm now a month in and my dyslexia and sensory impairments are making it extremely difficult to cope with everything being online. I thought I could manage, but I can't.

The uni has suggested that I could attend actual lectures one day a week, which would be so much easier and less challenging in terms of my disabilities.

However, although the cost of the course is the same,I would be paying in excess of £1000 a year in train fares. Would the DSA help? I had no intention of going back to lectures, but unless I do I will have to drop out.

Thanks!

What sort of help can I get through DSA?

You can use DSAs towards specialist equipment (eg computers, dictaphones, special software..) a non-medical helper (note-taker or reader), extra travelling costs and any other costs incurred by your disability while studying. After you have applied you will be required to have a Needs Assessment in which a professional will assess your particular requirements and help to identify what support to give.

To give you an idea, full time students can receive up to £4905 towards specialist equipment for the entire course, £12,420 a year towards a non-medical helper and £1640 a year as a general disabled student’s allowance.

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Guide_to_the_Disabled_Students%27_Allowance

If your university has suggested it then yes. :smile: