Each year, around 300,000 students with disabilities head to university. These include:

• The visibly disabled such as wheelchair users, the sight and hearing impaired, missing limbs
• Those with invisible disabilities such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism spectrum disorders, colour blindness
• Long-term medical conditions are also classed as “disabilities” when they impair your capacity to work – severe migraines and cancer patients would be considered here

If you’re heading to university in the next academic year and you have a disability, you may not be aware of the assistance available to you.

The Disabled Student Allowance

Available to students with visible and invisible disabilities, and with long-term debilitating illnesses, informally known as “DSA”. It’s a fund that covers the cost of any support you might need to study on your course. This can include a wide variety of things including the cost of a laptop and specialist software (such as voice to text, a note taker, or a screen reader. It can even include the cost of a (non-medical) helper.

Please note that DSA is not automatic. You will need to apply for it through your regional Student Finance organisation and demonstrate eligibility, usually with an official diagnosis.

In the case of physical impairment, this will normally be from a GP. But in specialist cases – and depending on the nature of the disability –you might need a report from a specialist. Typically, these will include a neurologist, a psychologist, or even a specialist tutor.

Non-Financial Aid

If you still haven’t chose a university or have unconditional offers, you can help narrow down your selection based on assistance and accessibility. Get as much information as you can about the university and the department and what assistance is available. While they are legally required to make reasonable adjustments, what constitutes as “reasonable adjustment” is open to interpretation. Never assume your disability will impair your study. At the same time, never assume that your study won’t be impaired or that assistance available will benefit you individually. Everybody is different which is why you should consider what would be best for your education.

Most universities have policies in place to aid and assist students with disabilities. In the case of dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, this will mean extra time to study, longer deadlines and extra exam time. It can also mean a more flexible approach to marking coursework. It’s best to let the department administrator know as soon as possible about your needs. They may need to refer you – or may require you to refer yourself – to further assessment and application. The sooner you get the ball rolling, the easier the transition will be when you begin your course in the autumn.