Services for disabled students
Over 12,000 students with a disability, health condition, mental health difficulty or specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) study at the OU. We offer a wide range of support services and facilities to enable you to succeed in your studies, including advice about funding. We also support the arrangements for tutorials, examinations and residential schools, and the provision of equipment.
Considering OU study?
- Accessible study materials available
- Financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance
- Equipment and other services - what we can do
- Examination arrangements - alternative options
- Contacts for advice
Already registered with the OU?
- How to decide what you need
- See what support is available for tutorials and residential school
- Find out about the Disabled Students' Allowance and other financial support
- Complete a form to tell us what you need
OR
- Use the five step checklist and tell us about your study requirements.
Overseas student planning to study through an OU partner organisation?
You should tell your local education centre as early as possible, and prior to registration, if you need support because of a disability. Please liaise with them to discuss the support you feel you will require. Your local education centre will then contact us to explore the type of support which can be provided. We will only use the information you give us to help you in your studies.
What we can do
Information about accessible study materials, equipment, support at tutorials, examination and residential school arrangements
Decide what you need
What to consider and how to work out what will help you as well as the booklets to read and forms to complete
Information for all students:
Information about:
Disabled Students' Allowance - are you eligible?
Find out about the Disabled Students' Allowance and take the eligibility quiz to see if you could receive financial support.
Have a look at the archived forums for OU students about the DSA, organising yourself for study, and assistive technology.
Help us help you
Would you like to help us? You could
- be a Disability Support Assistant to a disabled student at residential school - training is provided
- become an Audio Recording Centre volunteer reader
- give us feedback on our website and the information we provide
