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DSAs are used to pay for additional study related costs that arise directly from a disability or specific learning difficulty. There are four different allowances and these are:
Specialist equipment allowance - this could be for voice activated computers, digital recorders, special keyboards, Braille note-takers, special chairs and desks.
Non-medical helper's allowance - this could be for sign language interpreters, note-takers, lip-speakers, dyslexia tutors, study support assistants.
General allowance - this could be for printer cartridges, printer paper.
Extra travel costs - this could be for 75% of taxi costs to tutorials (if you are unable to use public transport).
Availability of some services for disabled students depends on your location. Please contact us for clarification if you live outside the UK.
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If you are a student in England or Wales, you can complete an application online , or use a paper form, which you can request from the DSA office (telephone 01908 654136, textphone 01908 659955). You should fill out the form using the guidance notes to help. You must return the form by post; forms can't be accepted by email as the DSA Office requires the original signature on the form.
If you are a student in Scotland, contact the National office on +44 (0)131 226 3851 or go to the SAAS website.
As a DSA award can take up to 3 months to arrange you should apply as soon as possible
Availability of some services for disabled students depends on your location. Please contact us for clarification if you live outside the UK.
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The OU has approximately 10,000 students with a variety of disabilities, health conditions, mental health difficulties or specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia). We are able to 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. You can find more specific details on the Services for Disabled Students' website.
Availability of some services for disabled students depends on your location. Please contact us for clarification if you live outside the UK.
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It's your choice whether or not you let us know about your disability, health condition or additional requirement. However, if you do tell us about your needs we will then be able to advise you on the support that is available.
If you tell the OU that you have a disability, health condition or additional requirement, we will send you a copy of our guide " Meeting your needs" and you can then follow 6 simple steps:
Step 1. Read the sections of the guide that apply to you
Step 2. Tell us about your requirements by filling in the Form (FRF1) that is included
Step 3. Make sure that the course or module you want to study has the facilities you need
Step 4. Return the completed FRF1 to your regional or national centre
Step 5. Check whether you are eligible for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) or can get other funds to help you study
Step 6. Let us know if your circumstances change
Availability of some services for disabled students depends on your location. Please contact us for clarification if you live outside the UK.
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The Open University is ideal for people who may have difficulty attending a full-time university. Because you're mostly studying at home, you don't have to worry about travelling or getting about a campus. And because you're studying at the times you choose, you can vary your study hours to compensate for good days and bad days.
If you have a disability, health problem, mental health difficulty or specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, that might affect your studies, we'll aim to help you to participate in all aspects of study as fully as your circumstances allow.
We may be able to supply study materials in alternative forms, and many of our services can be adapted to your needs at residential school, in tutorials and in examinations. You may qualify for financial help as well.
When you register, we will ask you about your needs and send you an application form for additional support.
To find out about the support available, visit our Services for disabled students website.
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The OU does not offer assessments for dyslexia, though we may be able to support some students with the cost. Your National/Regional Centre will be able to give you more details and a list of organisations that can provide this service. You can read more about the dyslexia assessment process on our Services for Disabled Students' website.
Availability of some services for disabled students depends on your location. Please contact us for clarification if you live outside the UK.
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Depending on which module you are studying, your studies may include taking an examination or completing an end-of-module assessment. If you think you will need alternative facilities or support you can get information on what we can offer from our booklet Meeting your assessment needs
It is advisable to think about this well in advance as you need to complete the request form (FRF3) at least two months before the examination and may need provide evidence to support your request so that we can make appropriate arrangements in time.
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Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) help with costs that result directly from a physical disability, mental health difficulty or specific learning difficulty. Allowances are not means-tested and may go towards specialist equipment (such as an adapted computer), non-medical study support (for example, a sign-language interpreter, a note-taker or a dyslexia support worker) or other related expenses.
Students who apply for a DSA are also entitled to apply for any other available financial support relating to their study.
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Financial support may be available to help with module fees and is based on your financial circumstances.
If you have a physical disability, mental health difficulty or specific learning difficulty for which you might need additional support, the Disabled Students' Allowance can help with study-related costs, such as equipment and transport to tutorials.
Try our quiz at our Disabled Students' Allowance website.
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If you are eligible for a DSA you will undertake a study-related needs assessment. The assessor will discuss your study needs with you and will make recommendations as to what support you will require. The DSA Office/SAAS will then decide which of the recommendations should be paid for from DSAs.
Specialist equipment allowance - this could be for voice activated computers, digital recorders, special keyboards, Braille note-takers, special chairs and desks.
Non-medical helper's allowance - this could be for sign language interpreters, note-takers, lip-speakers, dyslexia tutors, study support assistants.
General allowance - this could be for printer cartridges, printer paper.
Extra travel costs - this could be for a contribution towards taxi costs to tutorials (if you are unable to use public transport).
Availability of some services for disabled students depends on your location. Please contact us for clarification if you live outside the UK.
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