Will I Get the Support I Need?


Going to university or college can be exciting and challenging.  If you are disabled or have a specific learning difficulty or you have other support needs, then you may have extra concerns about whether you will be able to get the support that you need.

Universities and colleges have become increasingly aware of the needs of disabled students. Most have specialist staff with expertise in providing support packages for students with a variety of additional needs, such as deaf students, students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, students with sensory or motor impairment.

There is also extra funding available to help with extra costs in the form Disabled Student Allowances (DSAs) and other grants.

So there is support available, but you do need to check as soon as possible to ensure that the right support for you is available at the university or college of your choice.

To help you Aimhigher West has produced a Roadmap Poster Roadmap Poster that gives an approximate guide to what you need to do and when to do it. We have also produced an accompanying booklet The Road to Higher Education The Road to Higher Education  which gives 'directions' to Disabled Students Allowances, profiles of students who have used the DSA to support them in their studies and useful contacts.  

The following links also provide further information and advice.

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
Department for Education and Employment guide to DSAs www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/students/stu_students_with_d_1.shtml

SKILL National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Information on all aspects of HE for disabled students http://www.skill.org.uk/

After 16
Advice on choices and challenges for young disabled people http://www.after16.org.uk/

Ouch!
The BBC's disability magazine, contains news, features, columnists, comedy and chat community, reflecting the experiences of disabled people.  It also followed the progress of four disabled students starting university for the first time.  You can see their diaries at www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/lifefiles/student/

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http://www.robobraille.org/index.htm