Going into university as a disabled student can be a nerve-wracking experience. However, it is important to know that there is always support available for you. Here is some support that is available for students with disabilities.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
The government offers an allowance for home students with mental health problems, long-term illnesses, or any other disability. This allowance is in addition to your student finance, and depends on your individual needs. To learn more about this, check out this helpful article.
Bursaries and grants
It is worth contacting your university or checking the website to see what additional financial support they offer for disabled students. This may include financial support for special equipment, travel costs, and other expenses. Some charities and organisations offer this funding.
Mental health support team
Contact your university to find out information about their mental health support team. This could help you gain access to counselling, workshops, and other resources that can be immensely helpful. They may even help guide you to other external help that could be useful.
University Disabilities’ Service
Many universities have a special team to help you navigate university as a disabled student. It is important to look into this before you enter university, as it often requires filling in documents that take time to process. This could mean you get extra time for assessments and assignments, access to support workers, and reasonable adjustments.
NHS Talking Therapies
If you are struggling with mental health issues, the NHS offers free therapy to eligible individuals, applicable to students. You can access this by speaking to your GP or filling out a self-referral form. The service is mainly tailored for those struggling with anxiety and depression, so if you require help for other issues, it is important to contact your GP.
Housing providers - accessible rooms
Most university and their modern halls have accessible elevators. Upon request, they can often help you find accessible rooms which have been adapted to suit those living with disabilities e.g. larger rooms with more space to move around and closer to the fire exit. If your university doesn't provide accessible rooms, reach out to us and we will help you find a place that suits your needs.
These support options are put in place in order to ensure that every student has a great experience at university. It is important to start looking at suitable options as soon as possible, so that your experience at university is smooth from the beginning. It is crucial to contact your university to see what specific provisions they have. Remember, there are always people to help you.
