Distance Learning due to a disability

7

Hi there. We now use a medical declaration that you would would take to your GP/Specialist and get them to complete. If you have indicated this on the application you should be emailed one.

If you haven't received this yet, you would need to contact us directly and request one to be sent to you. Thanks, Leah.

Reply 2

OP

4

Original post by Leah SLC

Hi there. We now use a medical declaration that you would would take to your GP/Specialist and get them to complete. If you have indicated this on the application you should be emailed one.
If you haven't received this yet, you would need to contact us directly and request one to be sent to you. Thanks, Leah.

Surely a letter containing the exact same information would be acceptable?

Reply 3

7

Hi there. The process is sending the declaration form. If you can contact us then we can email this out to you. Thanks, Leah.

Reply 4

OP

4

Original post by Leah SLC

Hi there. The process is sending the declaration form. If you can contact us then we can email this out to you. Thanks, Leah.

Presumably that means that disabled students who already face additional living costs because of their disabilities will now have to pay a Doctor each year to fill out a medical declaration even if their disability is a permanent lifelong condition? Why are disabled students being punished this way?

Reply 5

7

Hi there. If the condition is permanent and has no possibility of improving, and the Doctor can confirm this on the form, then it's possible for us to award it for the duration of the studies, which means it wouldn't be required each year. It's our assessors would make this decision, as they will review the initial evidence each year.

Thanks, Leah.

Reply 6

OP

4

Original post by Leah SLC

Hi there. If the condition is permanent and has no possibility of improving, and the Doctor can confirm this on the form, then it's possible for us to award it for the duration of the studies, which means it wouldn't be required each year. It's our assessors would make this decision, as they will review the initial evidence each year.
Thanks, Leah.

Hi Leah,
Thanks for your response.
The letter that was written for me last year confirms my condition (autism) and explains the accompanying problems that prevent me from managing to attend university in person. Autism is a lifelong condition and the effects on my daily life are profound. I am now in my fifties so I don't think it's likely to suddenly improve. The letter that was accepted for study 23/24 was written by a Child and Adult Psychiatrist and dated 18th December 2023 - (only 6 months ago) - I do not understand why this letter cannot be accepted in lieu of the medical declaration. The self same letter was rescanned for DSA - and approved for support going forward for 24/25.
As a continuing student I have already provided evidence confirming diagnosis, and descriptions of my difficulties - why must I pay for a form to be filled out when the evidence already exists in the form of a letter?

Reply 7

OP

4

Original post by Carabid18

Hi Leah,
Thanks for your response.
The letter that was written for me last year confirms my condition (autism) and explains the accompanying problems that prevent me from managing to attend university in person. Autism is a lifelong condition and the effects on my daily life are profound. I am now in my fifties so I don't think it's likely to suddenly improve. The letter that was accepted for study 23/24 was written by a Child and Adult Psychiatrist and dated 18th December 2023 - (only 6 months ago) - I do not understand why this letter cannot be accepted in lieu of the medical declaration. The self same letter was rescanned for DSA - and approved for support going forward for 24/25.
As a continuing student I have already provided evidence confirming diagnosis, and descriptions of my difficulties - why must I pay for a form to be filled out when the evidence already exists in the form of a letter?

Would it be possible for me to email my concerns to the DSA email address, and ask them to forward it to the Distance Learning team? I haven't been able to make any progress using the live chat option as they are not the decision makers.

Reply 8

7

Hi there. The evidence for the DSA and the Distance Learning can't be transferred as it's two different departments that deal with it and they each have different evidence requirement (similar but not exactly the same).

If the evidence for the distance learning has been asked for again, then it would need to be provided. I can't comment on anything about the evidence as we don't assess it here. But the process is now using a medical declaration. Thanks, Leah.

Reply 9

OP

4

Original post by Leah SLC

Hi there. The evidence for the DSA and the Distance Learning can't be transferred as it's two different departments that deal with it and they each have different evidence requirement (similar but not exactly the same).
If the evidence for the distance learning has been asked for again, then it would need to be provided. I can't comment on anything about the evidence as we don't assess it here. But the process is now using a medical declaration. Thanks, Leah.

The process is needlessly difficult, traumatising and expensive for disabled students. We are stuck in a system of bureaucracy, and only able to contact advisors who are also trapped by their employers into "computer says no." responses. I feel sorry for SFE employees as it is deeply unfair for all of us - students and advisors alike.
Thanks for your help Leah, I wish you all the best :smile:

)

Reply 10

OP

4

Original post by Leah SLC

Hi there. The evidence for the DSA and the Distance Learning can't be transferred as it's two different departments that deal with it and they each have different evidence requirement (similar but not exactly the same).
If the evidence for the distance learning has been asked for again, then it would need to be provided. I can't comment on anything about the evidence as we don't assess it here. But the process is now using a medical declaration. Thanks, Leah.

Bit mad that they don't join them up then, as the evidence is the same for both. Almost like it is needlessly complicated..

Reply 11

Drew SLC

7

Hi there,

If you have any further questions you can ask us on this platform.

Thanks, Drew

Reply 12

OP

4

Original post by Drew SLC

Hi there,
If you have any further questions you can ask us on this platform.
Thanks, Drew

Hi Drew and Leah,
Just wanted to say many many thanks for your help on this forum and for the patience and understanding you extend to stressed and frustrated students. You are both doing a great job - and the advice and assistance that you offer here is incredibly useful and very much appreciated!!

Reply 13

Drew SLC