Disabled Student's Allowance

[Steel Maiden]

Has anyone here got DSA for university? I'm going to UCL in September this year to study Pharmacology. I am going to claim DSA for schizophrenia, Asperger's and (I have yet to undergo an assessment for this) dyspraxia. Can anyone share their experiences?

[Hollz]

I received DSA the last time I was at uni, and got help with materials and stuff and depending on what you need you can request longer exam times, personal 1-2-1 support and things like that, it depends on the individual. I received money to buy stuff to help with the study and was also given extra time re exams and also for assignments, if required.

I am going back to uni this sept (hopefully) and not sure if I can claim dsa again to be honest, but hopefully I can but need a get a place first.

Good luck though hun

[shadow-light]

I got DSA, though mine got messed up and it took nearly 2 years for my equipment for it to arrive but apparently that doesn't happen too often. I only got equipment (laptop, printer, scanner, dictophone, and a load of software to help with spelling - i.e. things I speak to so no need to spell things) , no general money


(also, pharacology is a great subject :D I studied physiology but my partner did pharmacology and I was always jealous of his work as it just looked so much more interesting lol)

[Pomegranate]

I applied for mine but unfortunately had to withdraw for MH reasons before it came through. I know it helps with equipment and you get a general cash sum as well. For me the most beneficial part of it was being able to see the Mental health co-ordinator more frequently, it helped to have someone there to fight my corner and talk things through with as well.

[rockaroni]

Oh I did pretty well out of them really (well, that sounds selfish but eh). Free PC, printer, scanner, software, dictaphone and other bits and bobs. Internet paid for up to £15 per month. And £200 for things like ink cartridges, paper, stationary etc. And a mentor paid for for the whole year, and IT training for the new software. As well as 2 week extension on written assignments, 25% extra time in exams with a seperate room & rest breaks. Was meant to get a lightbox too, but that seemed to get lost in the system...

[Sunshine]

I am in the process of apply for DSA based on BPD dsylexica and possible dyspraxcia and i first sent of the forms and then was sent back a letter with lists of number and places i could go for my assesment and then i called up (or got my mum to) and arrange an appointment and i went and saw this really nice lady and she just asked me a load of questions (mainly about the mental health stuff because my dsylexcia report said the main stuff on that) and how it would effect my study and then at the end of the meeting she told me things she would say i needed and apply for. so now its been sent off and im waiting for the funding people to come back to me and say if i can have all of it or not! and i should be getting quite alot of support both peoplewise, with mentors and a scribe for lectures and tutors to teach me how to do grammer and use all the eupiment! so if i get all of that i will be pretty lucky but i think it will really help me stick uni out this time and not freak out! - i hope so anyways

i hope you get the stuff you need
x

[Rhuben]

My university told me too late about DSA, I wasn't even aware that it existed and that I qualified for it so the university paid for my stuff in the end.

Got a Dictaphone to record lectures and vocal notes plus a specialist one to one mentor who's job it is to help me with work and time planning/management.

Usually most people don't have many problems claiming it though.

[88shelz]

you have nothing to lose by applying for it

[Whispered Secret]

I've just applied for it and have my assessment next week. Mine's for my BPD and eating disorder, but more so the BPD. I'll let you know how it goes :) xx

[Steel Maiden]

Thank you so much for your input guys, that really helped. My friend just typed up a letter for me to send to my psych so that she can write a letter for my DSA form. I will be trying to claim a lot of stuff incluidng someone to accompany me to lectures, a digital recorder with voice recognition software, extra time in exams, rest breaks, being able to opt out of public speaking or group work, and a one to one mentor who will help me with organisation, coping with paranoia etc. I will apply to get allowances for extensions in my coursework and to be allowed to skip lectures and have them recorded if my paranoia is bad or if I can't leave the house. And a PC for the exams. Thanks again.

[when.will.it.end]

Yep I got it. Basically I don't think you'll have any trouble getting it, all you need is a doctors note to get an assessment and then you can tell them everything. They've been really good with me and try and help as much as they can. I got a lot of equipment from it and it's been really helpful. And you should be able to get everything you apply for. I got most of what you've just listed x

[Steel Maiden]

Thank you, I feel more optimistic now.