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university

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L

loulou

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
hi
i have applied to university next year and on speaking to people they said as i am type 1 i might be able to get additional support at uni, as in equipment to record lectures, laptops ect aswell as longer time in exams?? just wondered if anyone on here knows anything about it or point me in the right direction as i can't really find any information on internet about it? not even sure if its ture or not? hope someone might know 🙂
 
Probably be allowed a small fridge in your room in halls - would definitely request one

Will ask my daughter if she knows anything about other help as she knows someone with T1 at university

You will definitely be allowed extra time in exams if needed, and almost certainly allowed in a smaller room in case you need to test/treat/leave exam room.
 
i will be a mature student so wont be in halls, but i didn't even think about additional support until someone else said something as i don't see it as a disability, but if there is surport out there i am more that willing to take it! 🙂
 
I guess any help would depend on your inidvidual circumstances. Universities have Pastoral care departments who help students with any problems they may have. They would look at what your circumstances and any problematic situations that you are having and see how they can help.
 
My daughter is at Bournemouth uni. They have an 'Additional Learning Needs' dept and for certain conditions (for want of a better word) there are forms you can fill in to get extra allowances in exams etc.

She said she knew of someone with a mental health problem who got a free laptop, so certainly for some conditions that sort of help is provided.

Never be afraid to contact a university direct and ask their admissions dept what allowances/help they offer someone with T1. You might be pleasantly surprised.
 
If you go on any uni website and type in 'disability support' it will link you to a vague outline of what might be available, usually with a 'contact us' type of comment for your individual needs. Hope that is of some help.
 
there should be a disabled students person, you will need to have an assessment at an assessment centre and they will recomend what equipment you need which you will then get! i didnt get a laptop but got a dictaphone to record lectures in case i had a hyop and had to leave, a printing and photocopy allowance to copy notes of lectures i might miss, extra time in exams and i was allowed to take food and drink into exam rooms. i also got a fridge but guess you might not need this. basically i told them what i wanted, justified it and they agreed! good luck
 
I did my BSc before I got type 1 diabetes, then diagnosis, then did MSc in an attempt to improve my employment prospects, as diagnosis with T1D had made the BSc I did virtually useless.

Wherever you live, having a fridge and fridgemates you can tust is vital. If in halls of residence / hostel (I lived in 1 friend's place and 1 hostel in 1 city, then 2 hostels in another city during and aftr research phase), a fridge in you room means less concern about insulin being damaged / moved / frozen etc - and also means your milk, cheese, yogurt etc is safe! The only other help I needed was making invigilating staff aware in case I needed to leave during long exams (had some 2.5 and 3 hr exams) - I chose to stay in big room with everyone else and never needed to leave, but knowing I could made it less stressful.

More recently, I have worked as an exams supervisor and invigilator at a different university and know what to do if someone needs extra time for medical issues etc, but unless they need help, they prefer not to be identified.

Unless you also have other problems in addition to diabetes eg dyslexia or mobility problems or hand co-ordination problems, you probably won't be entitled to note taking equipment or assistance. There is something called Disabled Student Allowances (DSAs)- see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034898 for UK government website to start you search in the right direction.
 
DSA is great i got it when i did my degree I got a computer scanner printer someone to take noted for me in class someone to write for me in exams 25% extra tim in exams an allowence for printing extra time to have books out
 
It's really important that you consider in advance what your additional needs are due to the diabetes - this is will help the assessor to best decide what support you need. When I studied for my degree and PhD I didn't even know that it was possible to get additional support. However, for my current degree, due to my sight problems and gastroparesis I now have a Disabled Students Allowance which has helped me to buy the equipment that I need to help me be able to read texts for the degree. I also have extra time for exams because of my eyes and extra time to test/eat (if necessary) because the gastroparesis can make blood sugars so unpredictable. Without all of this support I wouldn't be able to study at all for my English Literature degree..
 
Hi Lou, At my uni we have disability support services, I didn't bother speaking to them because I didn't see diabetes as a disability but they deal with medical conditions too. I spoke to them in my 3rd year because I was very stressed an my blood sugars were uncontrolable around exam time / with assignments and stuff. I was allowed to sit in a smaller room to do exams and was given extra time if I had a hypo. In the end I only needed the extra time once, but just knowing that it was there took away some of the stress.

If there is anything in particular that would help you then ask. If not, make an appointment to speak to someone when you get to uni just to discuss your needs. Even if you don't need anything it is worth registering with disability support team because, if you are ill and need an extension or something, they will support you and can contact your department if neccessary
 
Hi Lou,

Like Natalie, I didn't ask for anything extra, because I didn't/don't see my diabetes as a disability. I had to inform the Dean of Students, and I was automatically told I could have extra time in exams, but have always said I would only use that extra time if I went hypo/hyper during the exam (so far, I haven't needed to use it).

My DSN at the time also gave me a letter requesting permission for a mini fridge in my room to store insulin, purely because of the fact that, when you're moving into student accommodation, you don't know who you're going to be living with.

I'd be interested to hear what your uni offers you! Keep us posted!

Vicki 🙂
xxx
 
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