Wheelchair grant praised by disabled DMU student

A third year Journalism student has been awarded a £2,500 grant to go towards a new mobility scooter to help him complete his course at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU). 

Simon Sansome, who became disabled after injuring his spine three years ago, was having difficulty getting around campus and turned to DMU’s Disability Advice and Support Team (DAS) for assistance and advice.

With their support, Simon completed an application to the Snowdon Trust and was awarded £2,500 for a new mobility scooter which is already giving him much more freedom around campus and the community as a whole.

“To be awarded the grant was amazing,” he said. “I am very grateful to the university and the Snowdon Trust. I lost some of my independence and was struggling to get around campus and Leicester. Now I am free to go anywhere, it is going to improve my quality of life tremendously.

“I simply would not be able to finish my university course without the assistance of the scooter.”

DAS manager Tina Sharpe said: “Our aim is to provide an accessible and inclusive environment for students to complete their academic studies at DMU.

“The team’s objectives are to ensure that the disabled student is offered opportunities to fully engage with the student experience.

“Disability is not a barrier to learning so approach the team and see what they have to offer to you!”

DAS offers a range of innovative strategies such as quiet rooms in halls; dyslexia screenings and other neurodiversity assessments; low sensory matriculation and many others including assistance in applying for Disabled Students Allowances.

The service consists of the central Disability Advice and Support team based in Gateway House and Faculty Disability Officers (FDOs), who are based in the faculties.

Simon added: “It was important for this to be reported as the Snowdon Trust is not a well-known organisation for disabled students here on campus, but they can offer support to any disabled student applicant.”

For information about the support services and grants available to DMU students, contact the Disability Advice and Support Team (DAS).