DSA/Applying to uni having declared a "disability"
 

I have applied to university to start in September this year and on my application form, my head of year advised that I declared my mental health issues (depression/anxiety/self harm). I'm largely able to cope with it; I have a full time job at the moment but I was signed off for a while with anxiety. I'm just a bit confused now, I don't know if I should be applying for DSA. Also, the university have emailed me asking me to fill out a questionnaire about my "disability". I don't see myself as having a disability - or is disability just a word they use for ease? They want proof from my doctor.

I don't know if I'm comfortable with disclosing this information, and since I'm not currently doing any therapy (although I am on a waiting list), I'm only on medication, I feel like I don't have a disability at all and I shouldn't have written anything on my UCAS form in the first place.

Does anyone have similar experiences with regards to university applications? I'm just scared to say I "have x" wrong with me because largely I am able to cope and am not in a place where my physical wellbeing is in danger.

This is really rambly, I'm sorry. I don't know how to word what I'm saying really.

They just use disability as a umberella term. It covers pretty much any health condition that may have an impact on your studies.

It is up to you whether you apply for DSA or not, but it is worth noting that the application process is 3+ months from application to support being in place, especially at this time of year. So if you do decide to apply for it, you would probably be better applying sooner rather than later.

You can have the assessment but then not take any of the recommendations they have, but Inpersonally believe it is worthwhile. You can be provided with a lot of things through it. such as a voice recorder for lecturers and specialist software to help organise yourself with essays etc. Plus if you ever need extra time etc you will essentially have all the stuff in place to apply for it.

The next bit might be worded wrong/badly so I apologise.

University can be stressful and you don't know how it could affect your mental health during your time at university, certainly it would be better to get any sort of support in place just in case anything does happen?

ETA: Also, if you are concerned that the information might be shared out across the university, it won't be. It is only given to people on a 'need to know basis.' if at all. Usually the head of the dept/head of year would be informed that you have a condition that could have an effect on your ability to study at times, but they may not know what exactly the condition is.

It is difficult knowing what to do! When I started uni, I didn't declare anything as I was convinced I was fine and 'over it' and then in my second year I ended up really struggling and having to register with the uni's disability services anyway.

Personally, I would say that it's a good idea to fill in the forms and get medical evidence from your doctor. It's really great that you're coping well at the moment, and with any luck you'll be absolutely fine at uni and won't need any special arrangements. BUT if you do find that you're struggling, or there are certain things that your MH problems make difficult for you, then you've already declared them to uni, so it will be much easier to get some help and have adjustments put in place.

It doesn't necessarily mean you have to apply for DSA. You absolutely can if there are extra costs associated with your difficulties, but you don't have to; you can still access help from your uni's disability services if you don't. If it's something you're unsure about, you could always discuss it with them.

Take care of yourself, I hope it all goes well :)

I've had nothing but positive experiences informing 3 different unis about my MH issues and applying for DSA. I think it's best to let them know in case you need any support, as if you did suddenly go downhill it would all be in place for you, rather than trying to sort it out quickly at the time.

University is very stressful and it can exacerbate MH stuff. It's wise to have that support in place.

DSA is useful to have if you need any extra support as a result of your MH such as needing a voice recorder in lectures if you find it hard to concentrate, taxi to and from uni if you have panic attacks on public transport and so on. Though I think the rules are changing for first time applicants for DSA this year so I'm not quite sure what help will be on offer (IIRC there has been a shift from student finance to the individual universities to provide extra support for disabled students).

Thank you all for the advice, it's really useful.

I next see my doctor in about two weeks, so I'll ask him for a note to send to uni.

I don't know if I can apply for DSA after I've applied for student finance and received all the confirmation of how much I'll get, signed and returned the forms, etc? I'm not sure I'll apply for DSA as I don't really see what I will need that costs money but I will definitely talk to uni about support being put in place. I think that will reassure me in case things do get tough but like someone/a few of you said, I won't ever have to use it. It's just worth having the safety blanket there.

Edit: Oddly, about ten minutes after I posted the original post, the mental health services phoned me so I'm getting an assessment with them on Monday which is good.

Yes, you can apply for DSA at any time. Even once your course has started, 2 years in, final year etc. I didn't apply for DSA until October of my first year.

I'm glad you got an appointment with the disability services, they'll explain everything in more detail! I think it's worth applying for DSA and having the assessment with them, and see what they recommend. They might not recommend anything, but if they do then you can take it up if you need to.

As above, you can apply for DSA whenever, I applied towards the end of my second year. One of my friends only applied in her last year and so got a load of free stuff like the day before she finished 8+ years of university study :P

In terms of what DSA could offer you, they can give you a laptop which is always helpful and a dictaphone to record lectures in case you struggle to concentrate. That's just the first examples I thought of. What I was particularly keen on was getting the statistical software they used at my uni as it meant that if I didn't make it to the computer lab sessions I could do the work from home. Though do try to find out what software might be needed for your course in future, as it turned out the software we used in stats changed in third year so my efforts were somewhat pointless!

They may also be able to fund a mentor of some sort for you, to give you someone to talk to and help you adjust to university life.

There's absolutely loads that DSA can offer, so you might as well go for it and have the assessment and if after that you feel you wouldn't benefit from anything you don't have to take it.

DSA rules have changed for those starting university in the 15/16 academic year.

Hopefully the link below works, but that explains what has changed.

http://www.slc.co.uk/stakeholders-pa...nges-faqs.aspx

That's all really good advice, thanks guys.

I'll get on my computer tonight and apply.

I particularly like the idea of getting software that physics/maths departments use so I can do it away from labs.

^^ the rules have changed on that software though, if you read the link I shared DSA no longer funds course specific software if it is provided by the university/all students need to use.

That said I hope the application goes well.

Yeah, I saw your post/read that article after I'd written that. That's a bit gutting. But never mind, I guess it's something I could benefit from but not essential.

Thank you. :)

Your university may offer course specific software free of charge or at a reduced rate. A lot of the software I need I can get through the uni free and the rest is pretty cheap - e.g. I got Microsoft office for £7!!