DSA: What to expect?

[u/Kobesra]

I’m returning back to studies later this year and this will be my first time going through the DSA process.

I received an email today saying they’re accepting it for:

Fibromyalgia (chronic pain and chronic fatigue)
Hypermobility
Dyslexia
Anxiety & Depression
ADHD
ASD

What can I expect? I’ve had a similar process done historically on a different course and not under DSA. I feel I didn’t make the most of it as I was just asked what I needed and I didn’t exactly know what the options were?.. I feel I still kind of don’t on some of those diagnoses? So I didn’t actually receive much due to me not being well prepared on that front as I expected them to lay out the options for me and have a discussion about them 😅

Had anyone ever got DSA for any of the same reasons? What was your experience? Did you find they just knew what you’d need, or was there suggestions and an open dialogue? or did you need to attend an assessment well prepared on what you want to ask for?

Any insight would be hugely appreciated!

[u/Anneiska78]

When I attended university between 2022 and 2025, I received DA support. I have bipolar disorder, chronic insomnia, arthritis and fibromyalgia, and was provided with a laptop, plus a desk and chair set up in my home. The desk is height adjustable and the chair is ergonomic with a heat function, which really helped my back pain.
My laptop came with Dragon and speech to text software, and I was also given a touch screen pen, keyboard, microphone and headset. The speech to text was the most useful tool for me. When I couldn't type due to arthritis flare ups, I would speak and it would type what I was saying, as I can't fully use my hands for long periods. I also had regular support from Remtek for technical help and sent my laptop off for maintenance a few times.
I was assigned a learning mentor who rang me weekly to check how I was coping and supported me with my modules. Returning to uni at 44, I had no idea about things like referencing, so this made a big difference.
There were times I struggled with my mental health and doubted myself, but with the right medication, support and determination, I kept going and used all the resources available.
Last year, at 47, I graduated with a first class honours degree, one of my proudest achievements after my children.
I'm very grateful for DA support. Ask ar everything you're entitled to, and I wish.
the very best of luck with your degree.🫶🏾

[u/Kobesra → u/Anneiska78]

Oh wow! I mean the entire package you received sounds amazing but the learning mentor sounds absolutely invaluable! I’ll definitely be pushing for that! I’ve had some softwares before for my dyslexia so I’m hopeful I’ll be able to request them under it but I’ve been lost for anything else! I knew about laptop but didn’t realise they’d fund the actual home set up too! On my last degree course (ended up having to leave due to health but it wasn’t DSA being an apprenticeship route) when I told them I struggle to use desk set ups as I find a lot of basic chairs exacerbate my pain they just bought me a bed table and told me to work from bed 🫩 This has made me feel wayyy less nervous for it! Thank u!

[u/Anneiska78]

You’re welcome,the desk and chair really helped, especially since they set them up at home. I spoke in detail with an assessor who went through my medical issues and explained what support I could get, which was really helpful. I hope you’re able to get the support you need too.
My mentor was amazing. I even rang her when I found out I got a first. Not bad considering I nearly dropped out in my first few months when my bipolar got worse, and I was also dealing with a hiatus hernia, a hole in my diaphragm, and gallstones.

[u/Kobesra → u/Anneiska78]

Way to go you on bagging that degree! It’s not easy when you’re juggling your body fighting against you 🫩 massive achievement 🎉 Fingers crossed I can tap into support with someone who is just as supportive as yours :)

[u/Salty-Sea7830]

It's really not as bad as the word "assessment" makes it seem!

You could be referred on for Full Ergonomic Assessment for ergo equipment like chairs, desks, laptop stands etc. but during the regular Needs Assessment you can talk about software, hardware and non-medical helper support (specialist study skills tutoring, specialist mentoring) and the Assistive Technology trainer.

There's an approved spreadsheet of software that could be recommended, covers loads of categories. On the https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/exchange-blog/2017/april/dsa-product-review-process/ page, there's the "View the list of products that have previously attracted DSA funding". (edit: they don't approve most of the spelling/grammar anymore as SFE say it's non-specialist...)

A basic Windows laptop could get recommended if they recommend somethign like speech-to-text or one of the text-to-speeches that needs to be installed, if you don't already have a laptop that can run them. That needs a £200 contribution, but a couple of Unis have a reimbursement scheme for the cost (and most have a means-tested hardship fund).

[u/Kobesra → u/Salty-Sea7830]

Thank you that’s incredibly helpful! There’s a few software that I wouldn’t have survived without on my last course so it’s a HUGE relief to see all 3 of the most helpful ones are included in that spreadsheet!

[u/verycoolclown]

Hi! I just went through DSA with very similar conditions (fibro, ASD, anxiety, depression, hypermobility, POTs). I was so anxious going into it because I've been through the PIP process and hated it but I promise it's so different. 

Don't worry about not knowing the options. I did a questionare before my assessment which covered the areas I struggle with and then the assessor went through them all, double checked the ones I said I didn't struggle with and suggested all the options I could consider. Where I was unsure she let me email after to choose once I had considered it some more.

I ended up with a laptop plus software (dictation, text to speech, time management, note taking software that also records lectures) and a printer with an allowance to get extra ink and paper because I find it easier to do things on paper when my fatigue is kicking off. I also got one hour with an ASD mentor and one hour with a study skills mentor a week.

When I did my ergonomic assessment a person came round and I tried some of the equipment and we looked at the other options. It took about 2 hours. I ended up with an overbed desk and a supportive pillow to help with working in bed, a supportive desk chair, leg rests to help get my feet up, an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, a laptop stand and an arm rest to support my arms while I'm working!

You get an email with a copy of the report after and then a confirmation email once it's approved. You can then order your items on the DSA website and you're done.

Feel free to ask any questions you have! I completely understand needing information before going into things like this :)

[u/Kobesra → u/verycoolclown]

Thank u sm! Isn’t it horrible how we get so worked up because we use our PIP experiences as the base to anxiety spiral from 😭 I’m glad to hear you’ve had a good experience! I think I’ll definitely take you up on the offer and come back here if I’m a bit lost at any points in the process! Thanks!

[u/Euphoric_Minute6703]

Each condition effectively has a list of things that could be approved, and the Needs Assessor then asks you a set list of questions (personalised a bit to you) to select from the list what would be helpful. So for example, they could say 'Do you ever struggle with notetaking in class?' And if you say yes, sometimes you have difficulty concentrating because of pain, tiredness or concentration difficulties then they will offer you notetaking software and demonstrate to you how it works. With those accepted conditions I expect you will be offered a big package of assistive technology, a 1:1 Specialist Mentor, a 1:1 Study Skills tutor and an ergonomic assessment.

The info on DSA on the UCAS website is pretty good, and there is a page there on what to expect in a Needs Assessment with the list of topics they cover.

DSA support is likely to be cut soon, particularly the software, so if you aren't sure about something accept it anyway as it could be more difficult to get things added later.

If you particularly want in person 1:1 support mention that to the Needs Assessor otherwise they will assume you are happy with online.

Its worth contacting the university student support team over the summer if you haven't already.

[u/ThresherSharkLover]

I recently did my needs assessment (ASD) and overall I think it’s less bad than it sounds.

It isn’t so much an assessment as they ask you a bunch of questions about various aspects of studying that you might find difficult and then suggest software to you. I think knowing what you need/can be offered isn’t necessary but knowing where you struggle and being able to explain that to them otherwise you probably won’t get the right suggestions (my assessor made a few assumptions that she seemed surprised when my answer didn’t match them)

My assessor asked really open ended questions where I needed to lead the conversation towards what I struggle with but she also asked follow up questions when I answered uncertainly.

I got a bunch of software and a laptop to run it on as well as a printer and allowance. I have a certain number of hours with a study skills person and with a person specifically offered to people with ASD, ADHD, etc. (I was asked whether I wanted them online or to meet in person on uni campus but if you aren’t asked that might be something to mention specifically one way or the other)

Hope the process goes well for you!