I hope you are well. I am just enquiring whether anybody in this group has applied for DSA please?
With kind regards Dee
Marion Grenfell... - Tue, 07/02/2012 - 09:14
I have but it was a long time ago (2003). You are probably best to get in touch with your Learning Support Team to get more information. I can tell you that there will be an assessment of your needs in order to identify any equipment or support you require. Depending on your personal issues you can be given physical equipment like a computer or personal support like additional time in exams / home exams. You can get payment towards travel and photocopying depending on your needs.
While DSA is a good way to get additional aids to assist in studying the OU will put in place a lot of support without DSA being required. I think that for additional time and rest breaks in the exams having DSA might be necessary. But things like large print exam papers, comb-bound books and extentions on assignments are all available just by requesting them.
I can tell you that it was a relatively painless experience that was hugely benefical to me for identifying areas where I might have difficult access materials. There was software I have found very helpful such as Dragon which allows me to read in text and will also read my work back to me. Simple things like a book chair which allows me to read books at a angle without having to hold them up for long periods has been a god send.
I have but it was a long time ago (2003). You are probably best to get in touch with your Learning Support Team to get more information. I can tell you that there will be an assessment of your needs in order to identify any equipment or support you require. Depending on your personal issues you can be given physical equipment like a computer or personal support like additional time in exams / home exams. You can get payment towards travel and photocopying depending on your needs.
While DSA is a good way to get additional aids to assist in studying the OU will put in place a lot of support without DSA being required. I think that for additional time and rest breaks in the exams having DSA might be necessary. But things like large print exam papers, comb-bound books and extentions on assignments are all available just by requesting them.
I can tell you that it was a relatively painless experience that was hugely benefical to me for identifying areas where I might have difficult access materials. There was software I have found very helpful such as Dragon which allows me to read in text and will also read my work back to me. Simple things like a book chair which allows me to read books at a angle without having to hold them up for long periods has been a god send.
Hope this helps,
Marion
M363
Great advice Marion. Also, here's the link to the OU's DSA information: http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/disabled-students-allowance.php
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Robyn Bateman (member of the Platform team)