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Dsa

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
edited March 27 in Work & Study
what exactly does DSA pay for and is there a set ammount everyone that is applicable gets or is it on a sliding scale?

thanks
Post edited by JustV on

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It's for equipment that you would need, that you wouldn't need if you weren't disabled. (for example, I need all my books to be in large print)

    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    so i could pay for special pens, dictation software, laptop, tinted glasses, paying for a study mentor ect...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, stuff like that.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    what stuff are uni's meant to pay for? do they supply note takers and stuff?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Nope, any extra support you need is funded through the DSA, although it varies as to what goes to you personally (like to buy paper, cartridges etc), what comes to you as an item (laptops, printers etc) and what they give the money to your uni learning support centre for them to pay for (note takers, study support etc).

    There are rough guides as to what the maximum is in each category, but it's assessed on a case by case basis as to what you need over and above what a 'standard' student needs.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I thought i was reading about ecstasy on the drugs forum then. Woah!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    if you already know this, then forgive me but just from your posts- in my experience DSA isn't actually handed to you as an allowance in the same way as the loan/grants: you go for an assessment, that's then sent to your LEA and then the LEA pay for the equipment that's ordered on your behalf, I think pay to the uni directly on your behalf for notetakers etc. And for stuff like photocopying- with my LEA- you have to pay out and then claim back.

    Are you going to uni this year? start asap with an assessment, cos I had to wait until the next january for my equipment.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    in my experience the DSA folk are very happy to hand out they're toys. Ive got a stomach condition that acts up on occasion and basically tie me to my bed....and because of this i got laptop, dictaphone, top of the range scanner/printer gizmo, money off my accomodation fee, library assistant, all sorts.
    Im not saying lie about any condition you might have, but they seemed just as willing as i was to think about "the worst case scenario"...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i've been assessed, lots and i've been told i need the following:

    irlen's glasses and filters
    laptop
    printer/scanner/coloured paper
    dictaphone
    dictation software
    mind map software
    easy grip pens (durable ones too)
    a notetaker
    a study mentor

    i'm sure there is more stuff but i can't think of it at the mo
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Depends who your assessment was by, DSA are bloody picky on whose they take.

    First step is to get in touch with your LEA and ask for the info pack for DSA and disabled students. That will have the instructions for your area. Best way to go about that is to ring up the county council and ask to speak to the student finance people.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Is there any reason why people who get NHS grants for their course (for people who are doing degrees that will eventually mean working in the NHS) can't get DSA? :confused:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, T_T, you'll need to be reassessed internally usually before the institution will support your DSA application - worth phoning to check
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I had my assessment for DSA a few weeks ago and I was recommended: return taxis to and from uni 4 days a week (£50 a day), lightweight laptop, laptop desk, carrier and stand, £150 allowance for trolley for my course kit, personal helper 25 hours a week to help carry books etc, extra time in exams, ergonomic chair, grip pens, paper/ink/internet allowance, mind mapping and voice recognition software, over the bed table, ergonomic mouse and keyboard... the list is endless. It comes to approx 20k worth.

    I definitely recommend anyone with a disability (no matter how mild) to send off for DSA. I never knew I'd be eligible for this much help, and I'll be chuffed to bits if I only get half that.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Out of interest, did you have to pay for the assessment, and how much was it?

    Have wondered whether I'd get some support, but the cost of the assessment puts me off.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Can't you be tested by your college? I think UCL do it for free but I don't know about elsewhere.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It costs around £400 for the assessment, but the LEA pay for that out of your allowance.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Do you still need to be tested even if you'be got some of written comfirmation that you'be got something wrong with you. (like something from a proffesional?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    yeah i was wondering about that cos i've been to see a ed psyc and got a independent assesment
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Certainly the stuff from my LEA says you have to be assessed by their centre, as that works out what equipment etc you need, which means you have to do a DSA assessment of needs regardless of whatever else you may have.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie wrote: »
    Do you still need to be tested even if you'be got some of written comfirmation that you'be got something wrong with you. (like something from a proffesional?
    Yes, you must have an assessment in order for them to be able to recommend equipment/arrangements you'll need, it is in no way 'a test' - it's an hour/2 hour long chat to find out how you cope, what would help you, what equipment would be recommended.

    I think, you must have an official diagnosis in order to be eligible for a DSA assessment.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yes, you must have an assessment in order for them to be able to recommend equipment/arrangements you'll need, it is in no way 'a test' - it's an hour/2 hour long chat to find out how you cope, what would help you, what equipment would be recommended.

    I think, you must have an official diagnosis in order to be eligible for a DSA assessment.

    Doesn't sound that much different to the assessment I had when they were talking about whether or not I should be registered partially sighted.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    ok and how far in advance should i do this before applying to uni or should i be doing it after?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Start asking about it now (if I'm right in thinking you're starting next year), as stuff can take a while to go through.l Better to get the ball rolling now and make sure you have time for any assessments etc.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    hmm i'm having an action meeting next week and going to talk to my specialist teacher tomorrow
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I'm going to uni in a few weeks, and applied for DSA a couple of months ago. Definitely apply before you start as you'll get the full benefit of the allowance during your course.
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