Blind student Tim talks technology, bird watching and guide dogs

Tim Musson works in IT. He's an OU business studies student wanting to expand his career and his personal knowledge; he likes gardening, grows his own veg, supports Nottingham Forest and is a keen bird watcher. He's also blind and lives alone with his guide dog Summer.

Tim was the first person in the country under 18 ever to have a guide dog and, over a decade later, his latest companion, Summer, helps him get off the train at the right stop, notifies him of stairways and roads and barks when visitors come to the door. She also likes having her tummy tickled but isn't so good at helping Tim with his assignments and revision.

A finance risk specialist, Tim started working towards an OU business studies degree in November 2009, sponsored by his employer, Capital One. "Although I've worked for a financial institution for 10 years, without a degree I'd probably say I'm in the minority and felt it would give me a bit more credibility at work. Plus I've noticed for my next module there's a finance block and as I've just moved into the finance department I will be taking full advantage of that!"

Tim's been registered blind since the age of three after contracting a disease which scarred his retinas, and uses a screenreader to access his course materials. "I have access to the Disabled Students Allowance for some equipment to help me and for someone to create an accessible version of tables, charts and pictures from my text books, although that's only been necessary on one module so far. Most OU materials are accessible, which is fantastic, plus I can't highlight enough how good the associate lecturers are; every one of them so far has been extremely helpful and willing to accommodate any requests I have."

What does he like about the OU? "I think it's the feeling of cameraderie that OU students seem to have. As an OU student if you happen to meet aother OU student you have an instant affinity, plus I like the fact it allows me to study very flexibly in my own space, my own time, and provides the support which allows me to do so." Tim's favoured study spot, by the way, is in the garden under the shade of his apple tree.

And what about the down side of OU study? "I guess it's the lack of sense of place. I find this hard to describe but because the average OU stdent doesn't get to see the campus I feel you lack a certain sense of belonging. I've been fortunate in that I've visited the campus in Milton Keynes a couple of times now to do website accessibility testing and I absoloutely loved the place. But a vast majority of students don't get to experience that."

In these two audio interviews, Tim talks to Documentally, firstly about the technology, his OU studies and interests, and secondly about his blog, Blind Bird Watcher, in which he charts his explorations amongst the countryside and recordings of what he finds.