"Looking at it as a gift - even as a gift I didn't want - helps make living with it easier".
Why conditions like Bipolar and Anxiety can be a gift, rather than a curse.
Courtesy of the Mighty
"It's important not to get so hung up on terminology that you don't spread the word".
Autism Awareness vs Acceptance ... well, why not both?
Food for Thursday Thoughts, courtesy of the Mighty.
Though we are fully committed to supporting students with all kinds of conditions, including Diabetes, A2L are also strongly in favour of Diabetes Prevention Week 2018, from the 16th-22nd April!This video explains the risks of type 2 diabetes and the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Credit to Dwayne Johnson for opening up about his battle with depression, and we're delighted by the positive response he received.
But here's a thought, if even The Rock is not invulnerable to Depression, perhaps it's time the stigma ended?
Dwayne Johnson 'moved' by support
bbc.co.uk
The Rock says he's been "moved" by the reaction after opening up about his struggles with mental health.Irlen Syndrome -- said to affect thousands of people in the UK, it causes great difficulty in processing visual input from the eyes to the brain, resulting in distortions that can make reading and writing very taxing.
Irlen Syndrome is considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and therefore students that have it can apply for Disabled Students AllowancesThis video allows the viewer to experience Irlen Syndrome firsthand. Animated distortions help recreate what the printed page looks like for many individuals...
As of September 2016, any student claiming Disabled Students Allowances must pay a sum of £200, regardless of financial standing or background, in order to receive any recommended support bundle that includes a laptop.
The British Association of Assistive Technology has strongly objected to this policy and is pushing for its abolition.
Your thoughts?
drive.google.com
A fantastic post from @nationalautisticsociety by 11 year old Jake who is sharing his poster for #autismawarenessweek We think you are brilliant Jake! #inspirarion #autismawareness #autism
Help us spread the message of World Autism Awareness Week and share our video 🙂 Remember, that as a student with Autism at University, there is help and support out there for you, so please get in touch if you would like any other information. Email dsa@access2learn.co.uk or call 0203 861 3460
This week is Autism Awareness Week 2018, and Access2Learn are proud to help raise awareness. As a student with autism, going to University can be a difficult and distressing time, but help and support is available, including Disabled Students Allowances. Find out more information by visiting www.autism.org.uk/about/transition/starting-college-uni.aspx and help us get the message out there!
Starting college or university
autism.org.uk
Information about choosing a college or university, making your application, funding, and mental health during the transition.Perhaps you've known someone with Multiple Sclerosis and don't understand why they seem to struggle with co-ordination or weakness? Maybe you have MS and you're tired of having to explain why you're tired or in pain.
MS may be invisible to us, but it is a very real condition that deserves proper recognition. If you have MS, you are eligible to apply for DSA and may receive a tailored support bundle on a needs-dependent basis.Check out 23andMe: bit.ly/13zNPet TWEET VIDEO - clicktotweet.com/bc6i5 Millions of people around the world suffer from MS, but what is it? Lets...
We are recruiting!
A2L are looking for freelance DSA Assessors to carry out assessments in various locations. If you've got the skill and the drive to make a difference to a disabled student's studies, click the link and get in touch!
access2learn.co.uk
Work with Access2Learn Do you have the skills and expertise to change the lives of disabled students? At Access2Learn we pride ourselves on our high standards, and attention to detail. But foremost, we want to ensure that our services help disabled people to reach their goals in education and lif....LexAble, Texthelp, Matchware, Sonocent, Learning Labs and DnA have teamed up to give their incredibly useful and helpful software and training away for free.
Anyone in the world, at any level of education, can apply for the scholarship, so if you want to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please visit ATscholarship.com
youtu.be/_h-nbPv1MT8For more info visit ATscholarship.com Free access to the software you need. * Get the latest assistive technology * Training and support included * Al...
Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
Jamie Brewer is a truly inspirational woman - Don’t let you your disability stop you!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=69y9qUPNRPwJamie Brewer has proven time and time again that the sky's the limit for people with Down Syndrome, with an impressive resume that includes everything from a...
After being diagnosed with a rare form of Motor Neurone Disease, the late great Professor Stephen Hawking was never supposed to survive past the age of 22, much less become the very personification of genius in our time and contribute so much to the world of science. The image of Hawking with his motorised wheelchair and synthesised voice inspired people the world over to engage with science.
Though we mourn his passing today at the age of 76, his legacy and contributions will endure forever.
R.I.P Stephen Hawking - there will never be another like you.
bbc.co.uk
Despite a crippling illness, Stephen Hawking became one of the most respected scientists of his age.Mental ill health is the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK and a larger issue than most imagine. A fifth of employees will experience mental ill he...
Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, diagnosed with Dyslexia as a child, spent her youth in remedial classes and in her own words, thought she was 'just stupid'. Now she is a Nobel Prize winner for her contributions to modern medicine that has prolonged life expectancy in today's world!
Happy International Women's Day!
On Winning a Nobel Prize in Science
nytimes.com
Carol W. Greider was one of three women who won a science Nobel last week, which puts her in some rare company.In celebration of International Women's Day 2018, Access2Learn would like to celebrate the legendary contributions to lives of autistic people everywhere by Dr. Temple Grandin. Unable to speak until she was almost 4 and diagnosed early with Autism, she defied all the experts who claimed she'd never speak or do anything worthwhile, becoming a professor of Animal Science and a world-renowned spokeswoman on behalf of Autistic people across the globe.
Welcome to Temple Grandin's Official Autism Website
templegrandin.com
Dr. Grandin did not talk until she was three and a half years old. She was fortunate to get early speech therapy. Her teachers also taught her how to wait and take turns when playing board games. She was mainstreamed into a normal kindergarten at age five. Oliver Sacks wrote in the forward of Thinki...By stereotyping Dyslexia as purely a 'reading disability', we overlook the other problems it presents, such as memory difficulties and consequent anxiety and depression.
Rather than assume we know better, we should listen to those that have it - they know best.
My Dyslexia Is Not Just a Reading Disability
themighty.com
"Stereotyping a disability can be harmful to the individuals who have the disability."With Dyslexia, it's not as easy as getting a spellchecker, or just 'focusing more' ... if it was, DSA would hardly be needed! But in all seriousness, let's all spare our dyslexic friends/family/colleagues from hearing these awful lines.Whether it's hearing 'you just need to focus' or being told 'you shouldn't get extra time in exams' - if you have dyslexia it's likely you've been on the rec...
With Mental Health, things are often out of our control. Taking medication is a step towards taking what control we can over our lives.
I’ve been popping antidepressants since I was 16. Why is this a bad thing?
theguardian.com
I was first prescribed depression medication five years ago and it’s now part of my self-care routine. It’s good for young people to take control of their mental health
New Years Resolutions
First of all dear readers, on behalf of Access2Learn, I’d like to start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year! May it be a year full of opportunities, good fortune and successes for all of you. Of course, the beginning of the new calendar is an opportunity in...
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Dyslexia Awareness Week 2017 #positivedyslexia2017
For millions of people up and down the country, dear reader, this is a very important week. In fact, according to the British Dyslexia Association, somewhere between 6 and 7 million people across the UK have the condition which this week is dedicated to raising...
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Game of Thrones: Disability representation in George R.R. Martin’s masterpiece
Before I start with this blog, I just want to say that I will try to keep it as spoiler free as possible! On a personal note, I never thought I would be happy to hear the words “Winter is here”! I know what you’re thinking dear readers – why on Earth is a company like...
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Autistic Pride Day: Why I’m proud to be Autistic
Did you know dear reader, June 18th is a very special day for us Autistic people and our families – a special event celebrated around the world, from Brazil, to London to Israel – a day dedicated to celebrating neurodiversity and the unique identity, abilities and...
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Why every university needs a Disability Society
Why every university needs a Disability Society Of all the accomplishments that I have to write about on my CV, dear readers, there isn’t a single one I am prouder to talk about than being the founder and first chairman of the Disabled Student’s Society of De...
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Diabetes Awareness
Of all health conditions on record in the UK that have a claim to be one of the most common and under-supported, Diabetes has one of the strongest. According to Diabetes UK, Diabetes is ‘the fastest growing health threat facing our nation’, with over 3 million people...
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The DSA Freshers’ Survival Guide
Hi again, readers. The blog is back, and since we’re so close to the new academic year, I thought I’d offer some advice to our brand new starters, for whom these next couple of weeks will rocket by. In particular, I thought I’d offer some advice to our disabled...
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Results Day – what next?
So once again, A-level results day has come and gone. Some of you are at this moment rejoicing the success of your studies and are looking ahead starry-eyed towards the university and course of your dreams. Others have not been so fortunate, and are at this moment...
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Introductions: A bit about myself
My name is Tom, Student Consultant with Access2Learn, and on behalf of our company, welcome to the first instalment of our blog and thank you very much in advance for taking the time to read it. So why write a blog? Glad you asked … although, technically you didn’t,...
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