HELP NEEDED - Disabled Student Housing

1

Hi,
I attend Durham Uni, which famously has a poor student housing market. I currently live around a 25-minute walk from campus, which takes me around 35-40 minutes with my disability. Sometimes, I'm in too much physical pain to go, but I intend to get better with this. However, I need second-year housing. I've asked my college if I can stay, but they said they're not sure yet if they can offer any at all. The vast majority of houses under 175pppw are over a 35-40 minute walk away or more, which would likely take me 50+ minutes and would cause immense pain. I know I wouldn't attend lectures, so this is not feasible. I have anxiety around public transport, which I've been somewhat coping with, but the bus services here are just so unreliable, meaning I've missed lectures etc... They're not good enough to use them as my only way to get to lectures. I'm so lost. What am I supposed to do? It's fine for the university to provide disability requirements in first year, but as soon as you start progressing to second it feels like they disappear?

Reply 1

Vie.explains

11

Try contacting the disability or accessibility services at Durham directly and explain your housing needs for second year. Make it clear that the walking distance to affordable houses is physically unmanageable and that buses are not a reliable option due to anxiety and their unreliability. Ask whether they can provide a reasonable adjustment for your situation. They may have reserved housing or be able to advocate for you to stay in college accommodation.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by meganportz

Hi,
I attend Durham Uni, which famously has a poor student housing market. I currently live around a 25-minute walk from campus, which takes me around 35-40 minutes with my disability. Sometimes, I'm in too much physical pain to go, but I intend to get better with this. However, I need second-year housing. I've asked my college if I can stay, but they said they're not sure yet if they can offer any at all. The vast majority of houses under 175pppw are over a 35-40 minute walk away or more, which would likely take me 50+ minutes and would cause immense pain. I know I wouldn't attend lectures, so this is not feasible. I have anxiety around public transport, which I've been somewhat coping with, but the bus services here are just so unreliable, meaning I've missed lectures etc... They're not good enough to use them as my only way to get to lectures. I'm so lost. What am I supposed to do? It's fine for the university to provide disability requirements in first year, but as soon as you start progressing to second it feels like they disappear?

Is your uni aware of your disability and are have you had a needs assessment after applying to disabled students allowance? If they are then they have certain obligations to provide reasonable adjustments (throughout the whole course) for your disability, which may include prioritising you for accommodation.

If so then also second the above suggestion of reaching out to the accessibility team and asking them to liaise with the accommodation team Re: reasonable adjustments required for your disability.

If you've already done that, you may also want to see what support your student union can provide in helping advocate for you - that's why they are there!

Reply 3

Lumiere36

7

Have you applied for DSAs you may be entitled to funding towards taxis or accommodation?

HELP NEEDED - Disabled Student Housing

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