University and disability allowance

[Abbiec12]

Can anyone help or does anyone know if diabetics are untitled to any grants from university to help with costs of glucose etc?

 

[Heathero]

Not aware of this, but know careers allowence can be granted for children.

 

[Rachel_Shay]

I think they do, I was given the form but I haven't put it through. Just double check with your uni

 

[novorapidboi26]

I think there was a post recently about this on here somewhere....

you can claim for financial assistance from the university itself who would obviously asses your needs.......

i don't know if "glucose" would warrant anything........i don't actually know what you mean.....are you referring to hypo treatment like lucozade or jelly babies...?

you only really need these things in emergencies remember........

if there is anything else you can think of that you could get help with then its definitely worth asking your university...

 

[izzyj09]

So for me, I get a laptop in case I hypo in exams and can't write because I shake loads, I also get 25% extra time in case I need to stop and eat, but I'm not sure that you get financial assistance !

 

[novorapidboi26]

do you get to keep that laptop?

 

[izzyj09]

Yep so I get a laptop during my 4 years of uni and it's mine to keep afterwards as well if you have a needs assessment you just need to say when you go low in a lecture you can't write and therefore you need a laptop so that you can read your notes, and you can be cheeky and ask for a computer in exams as well !

 

[lovinglife]

If you are living in the halls you may get help getting a small fridge for storing your insulin -

 

[Robinredbreast]

Can anyone help or does anyone know if diabetics are untitled to any grants from university to help with costs of glucose etc?

Hi, I googled and found this, which looks like a good example of what might be available.

1. You have a needs assessment and, during this needs assessment, your academic needs are highlighted. You are able to discuss problems you think you'll have with an advisor and they'll produce a report recommending support (things you can claim through DSA). The money from the DSA itself is usually paid directly to the university, supplier or organisation involved in providing the support although there are exceptions.
   
   There are three components of DSA
   
   Specialist equipment (up to 5k for the duration of the course)
   Non-medical helper allowance (up to 20.5k a year)
   General allowance (£1,724 a year)
   
   The specialist equipment can include things like a computer and apporpriate software, a voice recorder (to record lectures), a PDA or anything else that might be relevant and essential to your study.
   
   Non-medical helper (things like someone to carry equipment or books, an assistant to help with labwork or in the library, study skills sessions and a mentor)
   
   General allowance (non-essential books, photocopying, Internet costs or, if you face additional costs as a result of your disability, travel costs).
   
   How much you get really depends on the extent to which your study is affected by your condition. The amounts stated above are maximum amounts, and it's rare for any student to even get close to those amounts (those who do will have complex needs and/or mulitple disabilities).

 

[izzyj09]

Oh yes ! Forgot to say I got a fridge in my halls to keep insulin in it !

 

[Jaylee]

So for me, I get a laptop in case I hypo in exams and can't write because I shake loads, I also get 25% extra time in case I need to stop and eat, but I'm not sure that you get financial assistance !

Yep so I get a laptop during my 4 years of uni and it's mine to keep afterwards as well if you have a needs assessment you just need to say when you go low in a lecture you can't write and therefore you need a laptop so that you can read your notes, and you can be cheeky and ask for a computer in exams as well !

Sorry to sound a bit crass. But this is like saying my parents bought me a car so I can get home quickly in the event of a hypo..

The general experience during a hypoglycaemic event, Is people can't process information? Coupled with blurred eyesight, flickering lights in the lower field of vision, light sensitivity & colourblindness..

Will a lappy realy help? I've gone low looking at my iPad & it's like a bright white square.!

I've seen my T1 bass player try to use Cubase on a PC while low. He may well have been a monkey typing the script for Hollyoaks.. In fact I recon he thought he was.

 

[izzyj09]

It's actually true for me I don't know about anyone else. But for me I can shake for up to 5 mins after I come up and I really can't write but I do start to process but I can't write as I shake so badly ! But I don't know about anyone else so I can't speak for them but that's what I have.

 

[Jaylee]

It's actually true for me I don't know about anyone else. But for me I can shake for up to 5 mins after I come up and I really can't write but I do start to process but I can't write as I shake so badly ! But I don't know about anyone else so I can't speak for them but that's what I have.

I would agree we all have different reactions whilst low..
These days it tends to take the "wind out my sails", but I can keep going once on the rise.
Two other T1s I've worked with, dither like dementia sufferers.
Certainly when I was a child on the bovine insulin my legs would twitch with spasms..

Cheers for your reply. It's just I've never seen my D as a "disability". Just a wild ride!

 

[tim2000s]

I guess that's been the same with me as well @Jaylee Going in to a stress situation, part of the routine is that you are at the bg level you need to be! That's just how I was brought up with D I think. Still, an interesting topic. I wouldn't (and still won't) look for allowances to be made for me as a Diabetic, because the reality is that I don't personally need them. But I'm not everyone.

If people need assistance, then they need to be able to ask for help.