A few years ago I studied with the Open University.  I was working part-time too at this time so I wanted my learning to fit around that.  eLearning is definitely the way to study if you are disabled.  Although you do have deadlines for end-of-term projects, how you work within those deadlines is up to you – you can more or less manage yourself as there is no one looking over your shoulder.

So if you work best at a certain time of the day (such as midday or one o’clock in the morning), are slow to type/write or find communication with others easier over e-mail etc. because of speech difficulties, an eLearning course could be for you because it is so flexible.

When I studied with them, the Open University offered materials in ring-bound format.  I requested these as I find the pages easy to turn than in normal-bound books.  Most materials were also downloadable from the internet which was great for me because I could annotate it on the computer. They are also available in many other formats such as large print and on tape.

Although some courses I took held face-to-face tutorials at local colleges every six weeks or so, most interaction with other pupils and tutors took place on the internet.  Tutors were always just an e-mail away and pupils had discussions within specific internet forums which could only be accessed using software provided by the Open University. 

I also needed extra time in examinations to take into account my slower-than-average typing speed.  Also, after discussions with the Open University, it was agreed that examinations could take place in my house as my own computer is best adapted for my needs.  I needed a letter from my GP to say that there was medical need for both of these things and also an invidulator came to my house to observe while the exam was taking place. 

Although my only experience of eLearning has been with the Open University, I imagine that other providers offer a similar level of support to disabled learners too.  Throughout the two years I spent studying with them I took several computing courses and a few short courses including one in genetics.  I learned how to put together websites using HTML and I used this skill when putting together the content on the Ataxia UK website. 

For me, the time I spent with the Open University was very constructive and very worth while.  To be honest the big negative is that it's quite solitary; apart from the odd tutorial and social events if you make the effort to get into those, there isn't much oppotunity to socialise.  If you want to get out and meet people, the OU isn't the way to go - it isn't for everybody.