Disabled Student Allowence

[trekster]

i got my DSA top up approved. i should get a 1.5kg laptop and was wondering what that's like with a manual wheelchair to push?
Im getting a copy of the draft report soon so i can see if theres anything i have a problem with, also hoping to get taxis to and
from mentoring, does this sound familiar?

[trekster]

The university contacted me about what i need on the residential before the report had been published
This has annoyed me as the constant questioning about what im going to need has already been covered at the assessment.
It mentions in the DSA allowance 'anything connected with your disability' would that mean HMS books would apply?

[Rosie]

Hi

Alexis, the DSA is for 'anything connected to your disability' that is pertinent to your studying. If you want the books to pass on to your advisor or someone else to educate them about your condition, then they might be covered, but if they are just for your own use, then I don't expect they would pay for them.

Rosie

[trekster]

Ah i hadnt realised it was anything connected to my disability provided it was related to my studying.

Can you recommend a good book for HMS folk and university or studying?

[Jorgie]

Hey guys,

Quick question in regards to the DSA reimbursement form. When it asks for name and address of supplier, how much detail are they actually after? For example, most of my books and things came from my local Smiths or Amazon. Do they want to know exactly which Smith's store? And Amazon doesn't really have an address...

Sorry if this question has come up before or I'm just reading the wrong thing and getting myself confused.
Help is appreciated. Thanks, my lovelies.

[sheppeyescapee]

They should be ok with a photocopy of the amazon receipt. As for the smiths just chuck on the address of the store.

[Jorgie]

Thanks Sheppeyescapee.

Also, do they send your receipts back or am I ok to send the originals?

[trekster]

In the past i have forwarded them emails with the amazon receipts but that was before the new impossible system was set up.
Will i get penalised because i was unable to claim the equipment that was allocated to me? it was a better system before
but now with my severe executive functioning difficulties and having to contact nearly a dozen suppliers for each item, it makes it confusing.
Are the government trying to make it so impossible that we will stop claiming the money? grrr

[Lauren]

I've only just realised I need to fill out this form for DSA. :/

[Cinderella]

My uni access centre think I should apply for DSA for next year but I'm not sure I'm entitled... I have missed some lectures because my hip and ankle will play up and my uni is a 30 minute walk from my house and up two very steep hills, so I just don't go in because I can't afford the taxi's, I understand how extra money would help me with this, but it's not regular enough to be given an 'allowance' as such (maybe 2-3 times a month)... I don't know. It doesn't really seem worth the effort having read the amount of trouble you all seem to be having!

[judi_helen]

It's likely to be worth applying for DSA - my son has ME and applied for this year (his first) he got various helpful bits of kit, like a voice recorder so he isn't reliant on his notes. During the year, he has had a couple of spells of illness and the disability adviser has helped him apply for further help. Most importantly they have acted as an advocate a couple of times when the department haven't understood how his illness affects him. My daughter who has EDS is applying now for her first year coming up in October. It isn't too difficult - nothing like I have heard with DLA and it opens doors to things you may not have thought of.

It is an unfortunate name Disabled Student's Allowance as it covers lots of long term medical conditions that may not usually be thought of as 'disabilities' Don't be put off by that, if there is some help - financial or advice, it's great to have.

[trekster]

DSA can also help provide support in class ie a non medical helper. 1 of the members on here had his support worker attend classes when he was too ill so didn't get behind.