Planning to go to university or college can be an exciting but daunting time for anyone. If you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (UC) – you are likely to face even greater challenges and have more concerns and questions. This series of articles sets out to answer some of those questions, and to give you some tips and suggestions based on professional advice and also on the experiences of other students with IBD.
What general help and support can universities offer?
One way to find out what help and support is available is to get in touch with the university or college Student Disability Services. Under the Equality Act (2010), which replaced the Disability Discrimination Act, universities and colleges must not discriminate against applicants or students because of a disability, and have a duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ so that students with a disability are not disadvantaged.
You may not see yourself as having a disability, but having IBD may mean you have needs other students do not, and that you might benefit from some of the support offered in this way. All Higher Education (HE) institutions should have a Student Disability Services department or team, (although the exact name may be slightly different). Details of how to contact this will be on the university or college website. The site may also give quite detailed information about the types of provision the university or college can offer.
For a student with a chronic medical condition, such as IBD, reasonable adjustments might include, for example, arrangements for extra time in exams or to meet coursework deadlines when fatigue is a problem, or perhaps arrangements to allow you to eat or take medication during class sessions Disability Services can also help you to apply for DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) funding (see below) if you wish to apply for this, and can liaise with your department on your behalf.
Is there extra financial help?
You may be able to apply for the DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) to help you meet extra costs or expenses that arise because of your condition, such as extra costs for en-suite accommodation. You might also get, for example, help with buying good quality computing equipment so you can work at home as much as possible, a digital recorder to record lectures in case you feel unwell, or help with travel costs, as shown in the quotes below.
You can apply for a DSA even before you have accepted your place at college or university. For more information see the direct.gov website: www.direct.gov.uk. The university or college Disability Adviser will also be able to advise you about DSAs. SKILL (the National Bureau for Disabled Students) at www.skill.org.uk can be another helpful source of information about disability related support.
You could ask your university or college about help through their Access to Learning fund. Again, see www.direct.gov for more details. These grants are generally means tested, but those with a disability are given priority.
At Crohn's and Colitis UK we offer small Educational and Vocational Grants for young people with IBD between the agesof 15 and 25. Details of these are on the Personal Grants page of our website. We can also help with information about state benefits, including Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
“My uni really helped push my
assessment through, and gave me loads
of support. The assessment was fine, it
took about an hour, and I just had a chat
with the assessor. I received payment for
my laptop, keyboard, mouse, printer and
scanner, … a £100 printing and copying
allowance, and a £158 internet
allowance.”
“My DSA supplied me with a laptop etc,
but they also gave me a travel allowance
of £100 to get a taxi if I feel unwell and
need to get home quickly.”
(Students with IBD who got DSA)
What about getting medical help?
If you’re studying away from home you will probably have to register with the University Health Service or a local GP, which will mean a change of doctor. You can search for a new GP on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk or by phoning NHS Direct on 0845 4647. The University Health service may also have a list of local GPs. You should still be able to see your old GP while back home on vacation.
It may be helpful to discuss your move with your home hospital IBD team before you leave for university – and to check with them who might be a good contact should you need access to specialist services once away from home. It could also be useful to sort out with them, or with your home GP, a plan of action to follow if you do have a flare up. Also, ensure you have a good supply of your medication, especially when you first leave home. Once you get to university or college it can be a good idea to register as soon as possible, so that you can get a new prescription before you start to run out.
Your new doctor will be sent your existing medical records so they should be aware of your condition. However, you may still feel it is worth making an appointment, even while you are well, to make sure they know what having IBD means for you. Building a good relationship with your new doctor can make it easier to get you the support you need if you do have a flare up.
