Practical advice from Anna Charles-Jones
Anna Charles-Jones is a Learning Support Adviser for the Learning Support Service at Manchester Metropolitan University. Anna, who has spina bifida & hydrocephalus and is a part-time wheelchair user, attended mainstream school before taking ‘A’ levels at a further education college in Warwickshire.
She then went to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) from 1999 -2002, graduating with BA (Hons) Applied Community Studies. During this time she was also the Disabilities Officer at the Students’ Union.
Anna is now settled with her partner, Jason, in Greater Manchester and has worked at the university since finishing her degree, first as a clerical assistant, and since December 2003 as Learning Support Adviser for the Learning Support Service
(www.mmu.ac.uk/lsu)
Anna took time out of her hectic schedule to give some practical information and advice about what students with a disability should consider when applying for courses, and what support they can expect.
What are the main challenges young people with a disability face when they move towards higher education?
The main challenge they face is becoming more independent, both in terms of study and any disability-related support that they may need.
What should they think about when looking to apply to a university or college?
In the same way as any other student, the most important thing is the subject that you wish to study and where you would like go to university, such as in a big city or a smaller, more rural location. Once you have made a short-list you can then visit each university and start to consider any disability-related issues which may influence your decision, for example, accessible hall accommodation, transport, or whether it just has the right ‘feel’.
Is it important to be very prepared and know all the right questions to ask?
If there is anything that you need to know that is very specific to you, it is always worth asking about this at a very early stage e.g. if you need a hoist or if you need adapted accommodation. However, the disability adviser will be able to ask you the right questions to get the information that they need to find out about any support you require.
Where can you go for help?
The disability adviser is always a good place to start if you have a question about a disability-related matter but most universities also have a students’ union, advice centre and other ‘student services’ such as counselling and careers advice, should you need any help during your time at university.
If the research is thorough, can most obstacles be overcome?
There are a small number of courses that may not be suitable for some disabled students. However, on the whole it is usually possible to overcome most difficulties. The most important thing to do is make contact with the disability adviser at your chosen university as early as possible; at MMU we start working with disabled students around Easter time in preparation for starting a course in September.
If you want to get a step ahead, it is worth finding out who your local education authority is and requesting a ‘DSA1’ form (to apply for Disabled Students Allowances) as early as possible, you will also need to get ‘medical evidence’ which can be a letter from your GP. The letter needs to say: the name of your disability or health condition; when it was diagnosed and how long it is likely to last; the main difficulties that you experience i.e. mobility impairment or concentration difficulties; any side effects of medication that you are taking (e.g. fatigue); and how your study is affected.
Your medical evidence does not need to say what support you will need as this is the part that your disability adviser will assess you for. If you have any other difficulties such as dyslexia or depression, please speak to your disability adviser to make sure that these are also taken into consideration.
Do most colleges and universities have a disability adviser on site?
Most universities and colleges have a disability adviser on site but the number of advisers and name of the service can vary from place to place, for example, at MMU we have the Learning Support Service which is open every day (including holidays) but a smaller college may just have one person who works part time and it may be called the Disability or Dyslexia Service rather than Learning Support.
What are the problems disabled students may face when they have started their course?
You will have an assessment (hopefully before the start of your course) which will look at the difficulties you are likely to encounter during your course (e.g. taking notes or moving around the campus) but it is sometimes difficult to anticipate all of your long-term needs at the first assessment. Once you have settled into your course, you may find that you need to contact the disability officer at your university/college again, to look at things that you weren’t aware of before you started.
Is much help available?
Most disabled students on university degree courses can apply for Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) which is money that comes from your local education authority. DSA can be used to pay for any support that you may need whilst studying such as study skills tutors, mobility assistants, dictaphones and computers etc DSA does not cover any personal care which you may need; if you need personal care support, this is usually your responsibility to arrange, through your home social services department before you move to university.
Do students with a disability find it harder to settle in and get involved in activities and new social groups, or does that really depend on their personality?
How you settle in at university will vary from person to person, some people find it easier to make friends and everyone can find themselves feeling a little homesick regardless of whether they are a disabled person or not. It is important to remember that when you start at university, you won’t be the only one who doesn’t know anyone!
If you choose to live in Halls in the first year, you will be surrounded by other students who have also just moved away from home and you are likely to find friends very quickly; another good way of meeting people is to head down to the students’ union who usually put on ‘freshers’ fairs’ in the first week of term; you can sign up to join different clubs and societies and meet different people this way and there’s always the other people on your course too.
ASBAH’s publication: Leaving home for University or College is full of information and tips for students, you can order it online via the pulications page or via the helpline on 0845 450 7755.
