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  #31  
Old 1st October 2012, 17:58
benny4700 benny4700 is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Hey, I'm wondering whether most Universities have an on site therapist or whether I'll have to go off campus. Also does anyone have any tips for coping with crowds? I have to go through a usually very dense public area to get to my lectures. Thank you!
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  #32  
Old 2nd October 2012, 12:18
Dandelion10 Dandelion10 is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

I've decided to go back to Uni but I'll have to get further advice such as 'is my UCAS still valid?' as my Access Course in Social Sciences was two years ago and I don't suppose I can get back into Uni until next Sept.

As long as I go to S2R, go to an onsite counsellor and take my pills I'll get through it. I can't not go, it's something I have to do in life.
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  #33  
Old 3rd October 2012, 18:45
charmainebode charmainebode is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Do you know if this applies to Scottish universities too?
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  #34  
Old 3rd October 2012, 19:18
Azi Azi is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

You can still get DSA, but it might be slightly different: http://www.saas.gov.uk/student_suppo..._allowance.htm
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  #35  
Old 17th November 2012, 10:55
d2rain d2rain is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

hi guys,
i havent posted for a while but just wanted to check in to let you know that my dsa was approved and i'm just waiting to get another appointment with a uni assessor and some equipment delivered too. ive struggled in the past and was so pleased to be finally be getting some help. good luck to others in college or uni
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  #36  
Old 17th November 2012, 11:05
Azi Azi is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Fab.
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  #37  
Old 17th November 2012, 11:12
d2rain d2rain is offline
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Thumbs up Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azi
Fab.

yep really chuffed probably the most i've smiled for a while haha things should be improved much i hope. If it wasn't for this board i'd have never know about it so thanks everyone
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  #38  
Old 19th January 2013, 00:14
DiazepamBrunette DiazepamBrunette is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

I wish I'd known about this when I was at uni.

This has encouraged me to apply for an MA, actually, now I realise there is a safety net - not so much in the financial sense but in the supportive sense.
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  #39  
Old 16th February 2013, 03:41
stonys stonys is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

I had help when I did my Masters, they played for a computer and my internet so I wouldn't have to go to the library so often, they also paid for a recorder so I could record my lectures, also for some of my books and would cover the costs for occasional taxis should I need them. They would have also covered the costs if I had needed someone to help me if I needed to do field trips to complete my dissertation.
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  #40  
Old 9th March 2013, 11:33
noelle orlandini noelle orlandini is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

hello

I am in the second year of university and in February i start to receive Disability Student allowance and psychological treatment for severe anxiety and depression and fibromyalgia -(CTB). I just received the results from January exams and i didnt pass in two subjects, so i will have to resit in august. I also did not went to any seminar in one of my subjects and now i am having problems to understand the content.
This week i manage to go to my first seminar in this academic year, so i believe i am getting better. I still having difficult to let people know about my condition, so should i disclose the progress of my treatment to all my teachers so they may understand why i am having problems with my studies. the problem is that i do not know how to ask for their help and if they will help me. So what do you think.
thank you
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  #41  
Old 9th March 2013, 11:48
Azi Azi is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

^ I would. If you have a personal tutor, or lecturer you think will be easy to talk to, I'd send them an email either explaining your situation or asking for a meeting so you can talk to them about it in person. It might also be worth checking out the university's counselling service - they can very helpful and will point you in the right direction. With your DSA you should have had a Needs Assessment Report - in it it might have suggested that having a Non-Medical Helper would be useful. This would be a person that could accompany you to lectures and/or seminars and help you liaise with the university about your difficulties. Any questions, feel free to PM me.
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  #42  
Old 10th June 2013, 13:59
David K David K is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

For anyone wondering if it's worth ticking that 'disability' box on their UCAS form, here's the DSA stuff I got for my SA/depression.

Canon PIXMA multifunction printer
Olympus voice recorder
(if you have a laptop) Laptop stand, mouse and keyboard
USB hub
Microsoft Office
They would also have given me a basic laptop. Since I already bought one they refunded me £300-odd instead.



I also get one hour per week with a specialist mentor to help organise my time and motivate me a bit.

Because I'm crap at phonecalls I only just got around to ordering this stuff, and my first year is over.
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  #43  
Old 12th June 2013, 23:49
Froggy246 Froggy246 is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

That's brill, purely out of interest how do they make the conclusion that those pieces of equipment will help you to access your studies more successfully in light of the SA/Depression etc? If you know what I mean, obviously they assess your needs and I'm just wondering what they would say, this student should have a laptop/printer because...etc.
The mentoring is a no brainer but how is the equipment justified?
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  #44  
Old 12th June 2013, 23:55
iTz0kt0Bu iTz0kt0Bu is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azi
SA is treated as a disabilty, and so if you have SA you should be entitled to Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) at University. These are for UK disabled students in Higher Education. The DSA helps to pay for extra costs that you may have to pay, when attending your course, as a direct result of your disability. The allowance can help with costs of a non-medical helper and other costs.

Here's direct.gov info on how to access the funding.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum.../dg_194349.pdf
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Disabled...on/DG_10035904
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Disabled...on/DG_10034900
Feel free to PM me for more info.
Thanks, imma check the info later cause even though I'm still at college I've had enough of ppl misunderstanding me and judging me negatively cause of SA, especially some teachers.
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  #45  
Old 12th June 2013, 23:59
iTz0kt0Bu iTz0kt0Bu is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by Froggy246
That's brill, purely out of interest how do they make the conclusion that those pieces of equipment will help you to access your studies more successfully in light of the SA/Depression etc? If you know what I mean, obviously they assess your needs and I'm just wondering what they would say, this student should have a laptop/printer because...etc.
The mentoring is a no brainer but how is the equipment justified?
I wonder as well, I don't think an SA person should get a laptop and other things just cause they ticked a disability box. I actually just think, ticking the SA box should make teachers aware the student has SA so they aren't judgemental. I rather real support for my SA and not material stuff.
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  #46  
Old 13th June 2013, 00:07
David K David K is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by Froggy246
That's brill, purely out of interest how do they make the conclusion that those pieces of equipment will help you to access your studies more successfully in light of the SA/Depression etc? If you know what I mean, obviously they assess your needs and I'm just wondering what they would say, this student should have a laptop/printer because...etc.
The mentoring is a no brainer but how is the equipment justified?
I didn't expect to be given any equipment when I went to have my assessment ***8211; I thought I would just be assigned a mentor.

It went something like this:

Do you have problems using the library and university IT clusters?

Not really. I don't like going there and find it stressful but I can cope if I have to.

OK we'll get you a laptap and printer so you don't have to use the IT clusters. We'll also arrange for all your photocopying fees to be refunded, and double the length of your loan period for books.

Oh thanks! I don't need a laptop though I just bought one.

Well we'll refund some of what you paid then. Do you have insurance for it? Warranty? We'll pay for those. And obviously for health and safety reasons you'll need a stand, and a mouse and keyboard. Do you have Microsoft office? We'll get that for you. How well do you handle lectures and seminars.

Pretty well I think. I'm very stressed in those circumstances but I get by. I don't take notes very well but it's something I'm getting better at.

Well we'll get you a recorder and you'll be able to get permission to record all lectures and seminars.

Here's the precise wording pasted from the Needs Report:
Quote:
Access to ICT/Course Technology/Shared Facilities
David is unable to work effectively in shared facilities and must produce a considerable amount of assessed work on a computer. Consequently, in order for him to meet course commitments, it is appropriate for David to have computer facilities. A computer, along with a multi-function printer and Microsoft Office software, will enable David to produce written work at home, allowing him to work flexibly and within an environment in which he is able to function more effectively.

Note-taking Strategies
It was identified that a digital recorder would provide a reliable back-up to note taking in lectures and seminars. This will allow David to record presented information and use the recording to fill any gaps in written notes. This will improve note-taking efficiency by reducing anxiety associated with the possibility of having missed key information. It will also ensure that information that may have been missed due to the impact of his disability will be available to him.
It was also identified that Audio Note-taker software will provide valuable support with the management of information recorded in lectures. In particular, this will enable David to synthesise audio recordings to downloaded lecture slides, making retrieval of information more effective.

I don't think I'll ever use the recorder. Firstly because I don't want anyone to know I might need it, but more importantly because our lectures and seminars are very informal affairs and it would ruin things if the teachers knew they were "on the record" all the time.



Quote:
Originally Posted by retep
I wonder as well, I don't think an SA person should get a laptop and other things just cause they ticked a disability box. I actually just think, ticking the SA box should make teachers aware the student has SA so they aren't judgemental. I rather real support for my SA and not material stuff.
I agree, and I do get real support. But I'm not going to turn down useful stuff! Well maybe I should have turned down the voice recorder...

Ticking the box just starts the process. You can also register as disabled at any time if you have medical evidence.
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  #47  
Old 13th June 2013, 10:58
Akira Akira is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Presentations are one of my biggest fears - If i could do a degree without fear of having to talk in front of others I'd be more inclined to consider it.
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  #48  
Old 13th June 2013, 20:51
Froggy246 Froggy246 is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by David K
I didn't expect to be given any equipment when I went to have my assessment – I thought I would just be assigned a mentor.

It went something like this:

Thanks David! Really useful information. That kinda makes sense now, you often think it's your burden to manage with certain things that could be made easier, I guess that's a lack of mental health awareness and not seeing it as a disability.
And may as well get whatever equipment is offered, the government probably won't carry this on forever the way things are going!
The only thing is that you need to have seen a GP before and receive a diagnosis, which all my life I've never done, and I dare say a few other SA sufferers.
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  #49  
Old 22nd July 2013, 09:39
d2rain d2rain is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

It's not just a case of ticking a box and being given equipment as suggested in a post above. You have to send off medical evidence such as a letter from a doctor to explain your illness/sa then you will need to have a needs asessment which i was extremely nervous about. Its not easy explaining things to people you don't know :/ I've been at college for 3 years and its only the past year that i've received help via dsa and have to say it's been so much easier for me to get work done and relax a little more. Infact my marks for this year have been the best i've ever got.
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  #50  
Old 5th August 2013, 10:40
Vermelha Vermelha is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azi
SA is treated as a disabilty, and so if you have SA you should be entitled to Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) at University. These are for UK disabled students in Higher Education. The DSA helps to pay for extra costs that you may have to pay, when attending your course, as a direct result of your disability. The allowance can help with costs of a non-medical helper and other costs.

Here's direct.gov info on how to access the funding.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum.../dg_194349.pdf
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Disabled...on/DG_10035904
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Disabled...on/DG_10034900

Feel free to PM me for more info.
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  #51  
Old 5th August 2013, 10:44
Vermelha Vermelha is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

This is interesting to know.

I attempted a degree 16 years ago, I managed to get through a year, messed up a second, changed my course to re-do the second and couldn't cope so ended up dropping out.
I now have mounting student loan fees hanging over my head (over £6000, no where near this much at the time)
Do you think I have a case to get this waived or at least reduced? Because the reason I dropped out was as a direct result to crippling social anxiety and depression.
Thanks
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  #52  
Old 5th August 2013, 10:51
Azi Azi is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

^ Honestly, I doubt you'd be able to get the loan waived or reduced. I reckon your best bet would be to re-read your loan info if you have it, and contact the SLC. Have you considered going back to uni? It is more expensive now, so that is a factor, but there's also more support available, and more understanding of mental health and studying.
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  #53  
Old 5th August 2013, 22:57
choirgirl choirgirl is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

God, if this help had been around back when I first went to uni I would have got my degree way back then. What a weird thought. I didn't go to enough tutorials out of fear, so automatically failed second year. I was also lazy and disorganised though. The course I was on was pretty unstructured.

Thanks to this thread, I did have the confidence to pull the disability card on my last module (OU) when I started getting behind. I cannot afford to mess up a module with the new fees. I haven't had the assessment though, I just did it naughtily to get extensions. It feels like cheating but I was desperate. I could do with a mentor. I get some crazy ideas in my head when I'm stressed and left to my own devices.
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  #54  
Old 5th August 2013, 23:04
Jarvis Jarvis is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

I studied in South Africa, and the amount of support I got from mentors, tutors or the government; none.

I am now doing a PhD in Scotland, and I am still wondering if I should warn them that I am a bit odd. I told my lecturer in South Africa before a long fieldtrip including days of interviews in really dangerous impoverished areas, and he pretty much said, huh?

It's not so much social anxiety anymore, is an incredible feeling of ****! pent up inside of me, a lack of confidence, and of course, the golden ball; anxiety and depression.
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  #55  
Old 12th November 2013, 12:37
parent parent is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

I think it depends which university you attend. My adult child went to 2 universities. Only one of them mentioned the Disabled Students Allowance when symptoms of Social Anxiety became too much to cope with.
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  #56  
Old 12th November 2013, 20:37
Azi Azi is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

^ They might not mention it, but people are entitled to them regardless of which uni they attend.
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  #57  
Old 12th November 2013, 21:02
pdjkeelan pdjkeelan is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by parent
I think it depends which university you attend. My adult child went to 2 universities. Only one of them mentioned the Disabled Students Allowance when symptoms of Social Anxiety became too much to cope with.
DSA applies to all universities. The DSO which is the universities disability officer does vary, though all of them should at some stage suggest to a disabled student that they should apply for DSA.

For libraries and other such things the DSO (university) is responsible. The DSA is responsible for funding of any extra equipment, extra travel costs or mentors/note-takers as a result of a persons disability.
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  #58  
Old 19th December 2013, 11:49
millimoss93 millimoss93 is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

University is a horrible place to be when you have SA. To leave your house alone, to go to the shops alone when you're surrounded by so many people and expected to be social.. If you're not social you miss out on opportunities at University. There's no compensation for that..
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  #59  
Old 5th January 2014, 17:59
CoopersCoffee CoopersCoffee is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by millimoss93
University is a horrible place to be when you have SA. To leave your house alone, to go to the shops alone when you're surrounded by so many people and expected to be social.. If you're not social you miss out on opportunities at University. There's no compensation for that..
This is part of why I have always been too afraid of getting a further education. Once I graduated high school in the US, I said I was done.
Now in my 30s, I regret not being able to do what everyone else finds so normal. I'm desperate to go to school but can't see how. :/
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  #60  
Old 24th February 2014, 18:47
Grump Grump is offline
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Default Re: University help for SA

Quote:
Originally Posted by millimoss93
University is a horrible place to be when you have SA. To leave your house alone, to go to the shops alone when you're surrounded by so many people and expected to be social.. If you're not social you miss out on opportunities at University. There's no compensation for that..
Sitting alone in every lecture and lab days when the lecturer would say 'everybody get in pairs'.

I do NOT miss university!
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