Services for disabled students
Supporting those with disabilities and additional requirements
Customise this site
A-Z
A
- A final message
- How Alex has coped with dyslexia during his studies.
- Access Technology Loan Scheme
- Guide to the ATLS scheme which may provide free loan of equipment for those not eligible for the DSA
- Accessibility - using a computer for OU study
- Information about the accessibility of OU resources and where to find out more.
- Accessible module materials
- Description of the formats available, with advice on delivery, and pdf levels of accessibility. Search by course code for available materials
- Applying for a DSA
- Find out how to apply for a DSA and whether you are eligible
- Assessment for specific learning difficulties and employing a non-medical helper
- Find out about assessment, and what to consider when employing a non-medical helper
- Audio Recording Centre volunteer
- All about the ARC, which produces audio recordings for print-disabled students, and how to become a volunteer there
B
- Blind or partially sighted
- Information on accessible course materials, equipment loans, exam and residential school arrangements, and support. With audio summary of services and study tips
C
- Choosing the right qualification
- considerations when choosing a qualification.
- Contacts
- Contact information for OU disability services, websites for disabled students, and national associations
- Coping at work
- How Alex (OU student) has found a way of coping with dyslexia at work.
- Coping strategies
- How Alex (OU student) developed strategies to cope effectively with dyslexia.
- Customise
- You may customise this web site from here
D
- DSA Questions and Answers
- Answers to a wide range of common queries about the DSA. May also be downloaded as a factsheet (PDF. Adobe Acrobat required)
- DSA eligibility quiz
- A quick and easy online quiz to help you decide whether you are eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Information on accessible course materials, equipment loans, exam and residential school arrangements, and support. With BSL video and audio summary of services
- Decide what you need
- How to request any additional services for your study requirements after reserving a place on a course
- Derek Naysmith
- Derek, who is visually impaired, describes the support he received from the OU, for his studies, residential school and exams.
- Digital audio samples
- Description of module materials as digital talking books using the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY), With a link to the project website
- Disability Support Assistant
- Guide to what a Disability Support Assistant does, and how to apply to become one
- Disabled Students' Allowance
- Guide to eligibility for financial support for tuition fees, study costs and other expenses. With links to relevant web sites for detailed information
- Dyslexia assessment reports for Open University students: Guidelines for assessors
- Dyslexia assessment reports for OU students: guidelines for assessors
- Dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties
- Information on accessible course materials, equipment loans, examination and residential school arrangements, and support
E
- Equipment
- Guide to buying and borrowing specialist equipment, with links to loan schemes
- Equipment at residential school
- A list of the equipment available for short-term loan at residential schools
- Examination arrangements
- Guide to asking for special arrangements for exams, reporting effects on exam performance, and paying for related costs
- Exams
- The benefits to Alex (OU student) of extra time and a home examination.
- Extra time
- Guide to asking for extra time to complete examinations
F
- Financial support and Disabled Students' Allowances
- Guide to eligibility for financial support for tuition fees, study costs and other expenses. With links to relevant web sites for more information
G
- Getting the awarded equipment / training
- How you get the DSA funded equipment or training
H
- Home
- Advice and guidance for OU students with a disability, for study needs, funding, course materials, and support
- How do I apply for a DSA?
- Video on how to apply for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
- How do I apply for continued DSA funding in subsequent academic years?
- Applying for continued DSA funding in subsequent academic years
- How do I apply for support at Residential School?
- Applying for DSA funding at Residential School
- How do I get my study needs assessed?
- Video on assessing study needs for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
- How do I give feedback, appeal a decision or make a complaint?
- How to appeal a decision about your DSA
- How do I make a claim from my general/travel allowance?
- Claiming reimbursement for travel
- How does a DSA help? A student's view
- How a DSA has helped Susan Miller (OU student).
- How this site works
- Guide to the accessibility and navigation of this site, and how to customise it.
I
- Iain
- Iain, who has mobility problems, describes his experience on a field trip, and coping on the residential school campus. Video and transcript
- If you are not eligible for a Disabled Students' Allowance
- Alternative sources of support if you are not eligible for the DSA, including advice for students living in Scotland
- If you cannot go to residential school
- What to do if attendance at residential school is impossible
- Impact on study
- The impact of dyslexia on study skills and techniques for Alex (OU student).
- Impaired speech
- Information on equipment loans, exam and residential school arrangements, and sources of support
- Information for students in Scotland
- Links to useful Scottish support organisations’ emails, websites, and telephone numbers
- Information for students in the Republic of Ireland
- Links to useful Irish support organisations’ emails, websites, and telephone numbers
- Information for students in the UK
- Links to useful UK support organisations’ emails, websites, and telephone numbers
- Interim Kit Loan Scheme
- A scheme for temporary loan of equipment while waiting for DSA or ATLS applications to process
J
K
L
M
- Margaret Taylor
- Margaret is embarking on a second degree, and says that studying helps her cope with the fatigue and pain caused by her illness.
- Mary Phillips
- Mary has been totally blind since birth, and is an honours graduate of the OU. She describes her positive experience with the OU, and pays tribute to her tutors
- Mental health disabilities
- Information on study flexibility, exam and school arrangements, and sources of support
N
O
- OU disability contacts
- Addresses, telephone numbers and emails of useful support and information contacts for students with disabilities
- Other additional requirements
- Information on study flexibility, tutorials, exam and residential school arrangements, and sources of support
- Other students said
- Testimonies from some disabled OU students on how they were supported in their studies
P
- Preparing for residential school
- Advice on getting ready for residential school, including requesting equipment and support, and booking a place
- Publications and forms
- Open to your needs, meeting your needs at residential school, studying and staying mentally healthy, FRF1, FRF2, FRF3, alternative arrangements for examinations, disabled student allowance, additional support, general equipment and services
Q
R
- Residential school arrangements
- Information on arrangements for special requirements at residential school, including accommodation, equipment and practical work
- Residential school module information
- Information about the academic content and programme of the residential school
- Residential school venue information
- Information about residential school venues
- Residential schools outside the UK
- Description of the support available at residential schools run abroad, including advice on medical treatment
- Restricted manual skills
- Information on accessible course materials, equipment loans, exam and residential school arrangements, and sources of support
- Restricted mobility
- Information on accessible course materials, equipment loans, exam and residential school arrangements, and source of support
S
- Small equipment loan
- List and descriptions of small equipment and who would benefit, with a link to the FRF1 loan form
- Student stories
- Some students with disabilities relate their experiences of studying with the OU, such as accessible course materials, residential schools, and exams. Videos and transcripts.
- Studying and staying mentally healthy
- Mental health difficulties can present real challenges to OU students. This booklet contains advice and tips to help your study become an enjoyable and worthwhile experience, and to help you stay mentally healthy.
- Studying when you are D/deaf
- A booklet giving advice and guidance to D/deaf students on how to approach distance study.
- Studying with dyslexia
- A resource for dyslexic students and their tutors. Sections may be downloaded (pdfs), or is available in print
- Studying with little or no sight
- A booklet giving advice and guidance to students with little or no sight on how to approach distance study.
- Support at residential school
- Description of the support available at undergraduate and OU Business School residential schools
- Support from tutors
- How a tutor worked with Alex (OU student) to develop a learning strategy to deal with dyslexia.
- Susan Baxter
- Susan, who suffers from dyslexia and dystonia, relates her experiences of studying science short courses. Video with transcript
T
- Tell us what you need
- Advice on and guide to completing the request form for general services and equipment
- Tell us what you need for examinations
- Advice on and guide to completing the request form for support and equipment loans for examinations
- Tell us what you need for residential schools
- Advice on and guide to completing the request form for support and equipment loans at residential school
- The question paper
- Guide to alternative formats of exam question papers that are available
- Top tips
- Video with advice and top tips for those applying for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
- Tutorials and day schools
- Provision of suitable arrangements at tutorials or day schools ensures that students can make the most of this study time
U
V
W
- What does a DSA award cover?
- Video on costs covered by the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA): specialist equipment, software, general allowance and travel
- What if I withdraw?
- What happens to your DSA if you change your study plans or withdraw
- What if my study needs change?
- You may need a reassessment of your study needs
- What is a Disabled Students' Allowance?
- Video introducing the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
- What is a study support helper?
- How a study support or non-medical helper can help you
- What we can do
- Links to information on accessible course materials, equipment, examination and residential school arrangements
- Where to take your examination
- Guide to options and arrangements for taking exams at the main centres and alternative venues, such as at home
- Who is eligible to apply for a DSA?
- Video on who is eligible for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
- Why tell us what you need?
- Why it is important to let the OU know about any disabilities, so the right level of support can be offered
X
Y
- Your answers
- Guide to alternative formats for presenting your exam answers
Z
