1. Research Degree Students
Support for students
Research Degree Students

2. Widening Access & Success Services (WASS) sits within Academic Services and consists of the following teams:
Disabled Students Services: The Access Centre and Alternative Formats teams you. The Access Centre arranges needs assessments for students applying for a Disabled Students' Allowance or Access Technology Loan. Research Supervisors and Faculty staff can contact our area to discuss the provision of alternative format material (for example larger print or comb-bound books). In order to have an alternative format material provided, a disability will need to have been declared by the student.
DSA Office (Disabled Students’ Allowance): DSA is a non-means tested grant which can fund equipment, software, practical support and travel expenses disabled students incur as a result of their disability. The entire application process can take up to 3 months, so if it is thought that a student may be eligible for this it is advisable to apply for this as soon as possible.
The DSA Office deals with funding for transitional OU students. There are six other funding bodies. Students can visit the following website to check which funding body they are likely to belong to:
Contact details for the DSA Office are: 01908 
Disability Support Team This a new team which has been put together to deal with various disability related issues, such as profiling of students with disabilities.
The Students in Secure Environments (SiSE) and Residential Schools and Auxiliary Aids & Services teams also sit in this area, under the Direction of the Assistant Director, Michala Robertson.
PHd Supervisors can refer queries relating to WASS areas to Michala Robertson (Assistant Director, WASS) by or by telephone:

3. Services outside of WASS available to Research Degree Students
Description
Contact details
Nightline
This is a helpline open to students between 6pm – 8am during standard university term time.
Phone:
Instant message (Skype): chat.nightline
Skype Phone: londonnightline
Text
Peer support network
This is a confidential support network run by the Open University Student Association (OUSA).
Website:
Student Support Fund
Some Research Degree students may be eligible for funding to cover the cost of a diagnostic test for dyslexia. Students can contact Student Fees for further information and assistance.
Phone:

4. Support available to those funded by the OU only
Service
Description
Contact details
Access to Work Grant
This is a government scheme to assist with disability issues within the workplace.
Telephone:
Textphone:
Website:
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
A free and confidential service available to all staff, offering expert information, advice and support on a wide range of issues. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is provided by 'Health Assured'
and enter the Username: Open. Password: Uni
Or call

5. If you feel that you need additional support such as specialist equipment or alternative format materials, please speak with your Research Supervisor as soon as possible in order to allow time for specialist arrangements to be made.