Deaf or hard of hearing
caption: Hearing impaired student wearing hearing loop talking to tutor end of caption
We have a number of services, described on this page and in the BSL video, that should enable you to study successfully.
To help you think about your requirements, read about OU study and find out about modules or request a prospectus.
You might need to think about effective communication between you, your tutor and other students, particularly at tutorials, residential school and examinations.
You can contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service to talk about the services and support you might need.
What to expect from OU study (enquirers)
This video tells you what to expect of Open University study if you are D/deaf or have British Sign Language as your preferred language.
Video - What to expect from OU study (MP4, 40MB) Transcript (DOC, 132KB)
Getting your needs met while you study (registered students)
This video tells you how to contact people at the Open University and how to get the best experience once you've registered to study with us.
Video - Getting your needs met while you study (MP4, 40MB) Transcript (DOC, 132KB)
Listen to the services for deaf or hard of hearing students. You can download the audio clip (MP3, 1.20MB) to play on your computer, or play the audio on this web page.
NB: The OU no longer loans TV recorder/ decoders.
Transcript
The OU does its best to make sure that all students can participate fully in their courses and university life.
We offer services to students with disabilities or additional requirements. This includes the provision of communication support at day schools, tutorials and residential schools.
In certain circumstances it may also be possible to have your written examination paper translated into British Sign Language (BSL). We hope that this translation of our information for deaf, or hard of hearing, students into BSL is helpful, and gives you an idea about the kind of services and support offered by the Open University.
If you're deaf, or hard of hearing, your needs may be mainly to do with effective communication between you and your tutor, and with other students, particularly at tutorials, residential school and the examination.
However, much of your study will be done wherever it suits you, such as at home or in a library.
Sources of support
You can contact your OU tutor, or study adviser, at certain times through your period of study, so you can discuss your requirements.
A small amount of additional time (up to six hours per year) may be available for one-to-one contact with your tutor, if needed.
Each OU regional and national centre has a Study Support team who can deal with any queries you might have.
Regional and national centres are open Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm, and there’s an Evening Advice Line.
Some of our offices and regional and national centres are equipped with a text telephone. All our centres have fax machines and email contacts, or you might prefer to arrange a meeting with one of our advisers.
Usually we can provide interpreters for tutorials, day schools and residential schools. The OU has a scheme to provide BSL and SSE sign language interpreters, lip speakers, note-takers and other sources of support.
Course material
Course materials are offered in a variety of formats, including transcripts of any audio and video materials.
Equipment loan
If you're eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), you can use this to buy specialist equipment.
Alternatively, the University has some equipment for free long-term loan, such as a radio aid system to enhance a conventional hearing aid.
You might also want to consider borrowing a text phone from the OU to make telephone calls to your tutor. We cannot guarantee that every application is accepted, but will try and provide what you need.
Examination arrangements
If British Sign Language (BSL) is your first language, and you think you will be at a disadvantage in a written exam, contact your regional centre to discuss your options.
You can also complete a report form, asking the Examination and Assessment Board to take this into consideration when awarding your course result.
Tutorial and residential school arrangements
The University runs a scheme to provide trained communication support staff for tutorials, day schools and at residential school. The support includes sign-language interpreters (BSL or SSE), lip speakers, note-takers and, if available, speech-to-text operators
End of transcript
Sources of support
Disabled Students' Allowance
You may be eligible for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) to help you fund study-related support. Use the short DSA eligibility quiz to find out if you are eligible. If you are DSA eligible the University will only provide study support that cannot be provided by a DSA.
Tutor or study adviser
Your OU tutor or a study adviser is available for contact at certain times through your period of study so you can discuss your requirements. A small amount of time may also be available for one-to-one contact with your tutor if required.
Regional or national centre
The OU Learner Support team in your local regional or national centre can deal with any queries you have. All centres have fax machines and email contacts if you prefer to use these. Some of our regional and national centres are equipped with a text telephone, and they are all open Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 5pm.
The Evening Advice Line is available out of office hours, phone 0870 3331444.
External organisations
The OU has close links with the Action on Hearing Loss - external link. We work in collaboration with them and can usually provide
- BSL and SSE sign language interpreters
- lipspeakers
- note-takers
- other sources of support
for tutorials and residential schools.
The University will make arrangements on your behalf, please contact your regional or national centre.
Accessible study materials
OU study materials are delivered in a variety of formats, including books, websites and multimedia. Most can offer transcripts of audio and video materials and television programmes. Read the course (module) description to see what types of material are included.
You can check to see if a course (module) has accessible materials in the formats you require. For more information contact your regional or national centre.
Equipment
You may be eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) to help you purchase specialist equipment. Use this short quiz to find out if you are eligible.
If you are not eligible for a DSA the University has equipment available for loan, including
Examination arrangements
It is in your interest to ensure that your written English is acceptable for examination purposes. If British Sign Language (BSL) is your first language and you think you would be at a disadvantage in a written exam, you can complete a report form asking the Examination and Assessment Board to take account of this when awarding your result.
Additional arrangements will be made where there is clear evidence of need and the recommendations are approved by the Examination and Assessment Board.
If you are concerned about this aspect of your studies, look at the main examination arrangements area or have a discussion with an adviser at your nearest regional or national centre. Do look at the information as soon as possible as you will be required to provide evidence of your needs and this can take some time.
Tutorials and residential school
The University has a scheme in association with the Action on Hearing Loss - external link to provide trained communication support staff for tutorials, dayschools and at residential school. The support includes sign-language interpreters for British Sign Language (BSL) or Sign Supported English (SSE), lipspeakers, note-takers and, if available, speech-to-text operators. If you have a DSA the cost of the support will be charged to that allowance.
Some types of communication support staff can be hard to find and get booked up very quickly. It is important that you contact your regional or national centre well in advance about your requirements or if you need to make a cancellation.
If your study includes a residential school you can read more details in residential schools arrangements.
Information for all students:
Information about:
You can download the a PDF copy or buy a printed version of Studying when you are D/deaf booklet. Registered students can request a printed copy from regional and national centres. The booklet offers suggestions and advice for study strategies and is generally sent on receipt of the facilities request for general services and equipment on Tell us what you need.
If you have any queries about a course, finance or the support you would receive, please contact the Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
For DSA, examination arrangements, and some other financial or equipment schemes you will need to provide written evidence of additional needs. This evidence is usually a diagnostic assessment or medical report but will depend on the individual situation. As this can take a considerable period of time to arrange it is advisable to think about this well in advance.
