Is It Worth Completing the Disability Questionnaire?
I got an email from my university, Chester, asking me to complete a form for information on disabilities. I have depression which would count as a mental health condition, but I was only diagnosed with it officially several months ago. For context, I've had depression pretty much my entire life. I started filling in the document but stopped at the point where it said:
"Clearly state that your diagnosis has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities"
...Which is something that I can't prove. There have been times when I've not been able to go to school for weeks at a time, and I've attempted suicide three times, but I have no way of proving that. From the outside, most people think I'm alright even though I am absolutely not.
Then there's the question of what the university could even do about it. There's a section where I need to explain what schools have done to help me with it in the past. Am I supposed to say "They gave me free counselling, but like all the counselling I've had throughout my life it hasn't made a blind bit of difference anyway"?
Plus, I feel like they'd be wasting resources on me by setting things up, so I'm seriously considering not bothering with the questionnaire. If anyone has any advice, please help me.
"Clearly state that your diagnosis has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities"
...Which is something that I can't prove. There have been times when I've not been able to go to school for weeks at a time, and I've attempted suicide three times, but I have no way of proving that. From the outside, most people think I'm alright even though I am absolutely not.
Then there's the question of what the university could even do about it. There's a section where I need to explain what schools have done to help me with it in the past. Am I supposed to say "They gave me free counselling, but like all the counselling I've had throughout my life it hasn't made a blind bit of difference anyway"?
Plus, I feel like they'd be wasting resources on me by setting things up, so I'm seriously considering not bothering with the questionnaire. If anyone has any advice, please help me.
Reply 1
I would say no harm in including about your depression by saying like 'during periods of depressive episodes (etc) i have had issues with XYZ. these episodes come and go but have had a big affect on my academic attendance etc' like just outlining more so how it might impact education.
in terms of what the uni can do, they might tell you to apply for DSA, provide wellbeing services, do a student support sheet (so you get extensions or extra time etc)
in terms of what the uni can do, they might tell you to apply for DSA, provide wellbeing services, do a student support sheet (so you get extensions or extra time etc)
Reply 2
Hi Doomotron,
Sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve been experiencing. I’ve had similar experiences throughout my studies so can emphasise with the struggle.
Whilst you may feel that completing the questionnaire could be a waste of time, I would strongly encourage you to consider doing it. By making the university aware of any disabilities and/or health issues before you start, you are more likely to receive reasonable accommodations throughout your studies. This could mean your tutors are more likely to consider giving you an extensive on assignments, you may receive financial assistance from the university and the university can put support in place from day one.
All these factors have significantly helped me throughout my degree. Of course the decision is completely up to you but I would say it is definitely worth the effort!
All the best,
Tilly
LJMU Student Rep
Sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve been experiencing. I’ve had similar experiences throughout my studies so can emphasise with the struggle.
Whilst you may feel that completing the questionnaire could be a waste of time, I would strongly encourage you to consider doing it. By making the university aware of any disabilities and/or health issues before you start, you are more likely to receive reasonable accommodations throughout your studies. This could mean your tutors are more likely to consider giving you an extensive on assignments, you may receive financial assistance from the university and the university can put support in place from day one.
All these factors have significantly helped me throughout my degree. Of course the decision is completely up to you but I would say it is definitely worth the effort!
All the best,
Tilly
LJMU Student Rep
Reply 3
Original post
by DoomotronI got an email from my university, Chester, asking me to complete a form for information on disabilities. I have depression which would count as a mental health condition, but I was only diagnosed with it officially several months ago. For context, I've had depression pretty much my entire life. I started filling in the document but stopped at the point where it said:
"Clearly state that your diagnosis has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities"
...Which is something that I can't prove. There have been times when I've not been able to go to school for weeks at a time, and I've attempted suicide three times, but I have no way of proving that. From the outside, most people think I'm alright even though I am absolutely not.
Then there's the question of what the university could even do about it. There's a section where I need to explain what schools have done to help me with it in the past. Am I supposed to say "They gave me free counselling, but like all the counselling I've had throughout my life it hasn't made a blind bit of difference anyway"?
Plus, I feel like they'd be wasting resources on me by setting things up, so I'm seriously considering not bothering with the questionnaire. If anyone has any advice, please help me.
"Clearly state that your diagnosis has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities"
...Which is something that I can't prove. There have been times when I've not been able to go to school for weeks at a time, and I've attempted suicide three times, but I have no way of proving that. From the outside, most people think I'm alright even though I am absolutely not.
Then there's the question of what the university could even do about it. There's a section where I need to explain what schools have done to help me with it in the past. Am I supposed to say "They gave me free counselling, but like all the counselling I've had throughout my life it hasn't made a blind bit of difference anyway"?
Plus, I feel like they'd be wasting resources on me by setting things up, so I'm seriously considering not bothering with the questionnaire. If anyone has any advice, please help me.
Hi @Doomotron
I would recommend that you complete the questionnaire, if possible. However, you don’t need to fill this out if you’d prefer not to or if it’s causing you any extra stress or anxiety.
First things first, please don’t feel as though the university would be wasting resources on you! Our student support teams are here to help you however they can, and just because something hasn’t helped you in the past doesn’t mean it couldn’t help in the future. Alternatively, the student support teams may be able to suggest some sort of reasonable adjustment that you may not have considered before.
Each student’s condition is obviously unique and personal to them, however it does help our student support teams to collect information so that they can make decisions on what support is needed, not just on a personal basis, but more widely too.
I agree with the response below, that it might be worth outlining how your educational experience could be impacted, so that the team is more aware of your circumstances.
Alternatively, you might want to reach out to your PAT to talk about this one on one with someone. Or don’t hesitate to drop us a message and we can chat more.
Best wishes,
Becky
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