[molly2005]

I have just been told i am dsylexia following an eductational psychologist report and such.

My university had told me to send of for DSA, i was just wondering what this would offer? I'm not really sure.

I am also told to use a computer for exams, has anyone else had any experience with this? does it help?

Thank you

[vnupe]

Hello, I am not quite sure what Seek Help is getting at, but hopefully he is not being mean, as that would be very cruel and unhelpful.
OP I am severely dyslexic, and i have not let it stop me... I have four degrees one undergrad and three graduate degrees, in science and law.
I will say depending on what subject you take, your dyslexia could impact on your studies, especially if you have to do a lot of writing, but if properly managed and with a little more hard work, you should be able to do well.
I suspected i was dyslexic throughout my academic career, but only got tested before the start of my last degree (Law) as i knew it would entail a lot of writing, more so than my other degrees.
I recommend, that you make use of all available resources, such as note takers, extra time and computer assistance for exams, and computer programs etc.
In conclusion, I wish you good luck on your endeavours and don't let anyone tell you or make you feel like you cannot achieve, and never feel less than.
We all learn and process in different ways, the key is finding out the best way for you to process and refine and work at it.

[OU Student]

In your report, it should identify areas that you struggle with. DSA will then use that to decide what help you'll be offered. You may be offered things like study skills, dictaphone, (to record lectures) notetaker, etc.

[swervy]

OU Student is spot on .. but unlike OU students (who are expected to have their own computers before they even apply for a course), you might also have been given a laptop with assistive technology on it. I know this is an old thread - but if you're out there, what happened from your dsa

[OU Student]

(Original post by swervy)
OU Student is spot on .. but unlike OU students (who are expected to have their own computers before they even apply for a course),

We're not. No idea where you got that from.

[swervy]

Oh yes they are!! OU Student -

go here: http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergr...ning/index.htm

[River85]

(Original post by swervy)
OU Student is spot on .. but unlike OU students (who are expected to have their own computers before they even apply for a course), you might also have been given a laptop with assistive technology on it. I know this is an old thread - but if you're out there, what happened from your dsa

It's not an old thread. It's only a few days old.

OU students aren't expected to have a computer before they've even applied, although ideally they should have reliable access to a computer (this isn't the same as the student having a computer of his or her own). The OU provide, or certainly did provide, grants to students from low incomes who don't already have a computer.

[OU Student]

(Original post by River85)
It's not an old thread. It's only a few days old.

OU students aren't expected to have a computer before they've even applied, although ideally they should have reliable access to a computer (this isn't the same as the student having a computer of his or her own). The OU provide, or certainly did provide, grants to students from low incomes who don't already have a computer.

Those grants still exist. Those of us who are disabled are expected to apply for DSA to see if we can get a laptop / computer that way before OU will provide the grant.

[swervy]

The OU no longer does the PC-assisted purchase scheme.

OU student's ARE expected to have 'adequate access' to a computer which in practice means having their own.

The DSA will not provide a computer for an OU student simply because they are disabled.

I'd strongly advise anyone thinking of doing an OU course to contact their OU regional centre and speak to an adviser for the latest policy information, especially with regard to DSA guidelines, as they change frequently.

[swervy]

NB the OU still gives students a 'course grant' ... now down to a couple of hundred quid I believe ... which can be spent how you like, including towards a computer

[OU Student]

(Original post by swervy)
The OU no longer does the PC-assisted purchase scheme.

http://www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy...h-the-cost.php

[River85]

(Original post by swervy)
The DSA will not provide a computer for an OU student simply because they are disabled.

No one said they would?

[swervy]

Well, Overlord-in-Training and Moderator - I actually work for the OU and the DSA, so I do know quite a bit about the sector, but as my contributions appear to be unwelcome, I shall cease.

[NJones]

I was under the impression that if a student enrols on a distance learning course for which a pre-requisite is that students must have access to a computer or facilities, then DSA would not provide a computer in that instance as in doing so would put that student at an advantage over others.