Learner support
Neurodiversity and accessibility resources
Everyone should be able to learn in a way that works for them. We all have different strengths, needs and ways of taking in information.Some parts of learning may feel easy, while others take more time or effort. Finding the right tools and support can help you feel more confident and show what you know.
What this page offers
This page brings together advice, websites and tools to support your learning. You can find information about autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other conditions. There are also resources for people who are blind or partially sighted, deaf or have hearing loss, or have difficulty using a keyboard or mouse.
Finding the right support for you
You might find it helpful to hear text read aloud, see spoken words as captions or change the settings on your device. There is no single approach that works for everyone. Explore the resources below to find ideas that suit you.
You do not need to know exactly what support you need before asking for help. Speak to your tutor about what works well for you and what you find difficult. Together, you can explore changes that could make learning easier.
Explore these websites and tools for help with learning, reading, communication and using your device.
Neurodiversity support
Neurodiversity means people’s brains work in different ways. What helps one person may not help another. These resources can help you understand your needs and find support.
National Autistic Society – Advice for autistic people on daily life, learning and getting support.
British Dyslexia Association – Information about dyslexia. Includes advice on studying and support at work.
NHS: Dyspraxia – Learn about dyspraxia and ways to get help with daily tasks, work and study.
ADHD UK – Information and support for people with ADHD. Its Discovery platform shares practical ideas and tools.
Dyscalculia Information Centre – Information about dyscalculia and support with maths and numbers.
Tourettes Action – Information about Tourette’s, with links to advice and support.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Guides, videos and study tips about the ways neurodivergent brains work.
Learner Support
Support for learning disabilities
Your voice matters. You should have information you can understand and support to make your own choices.
Mencap’s Easy Read library – Free guides on everyday topics. They use short sentences and pictures to make information easier to understand.
Make your device easier to use
Your phone, tablet or computer may already have tools that help. Explore ways to change text size, screen colours or how you use your device.
AbilityNet: My Computer My Way – Step-by-step guides to change your device’s settings. Choose a guide that matches your needs.
Read aloud in Microsoft Edge – Listen to web pages and PDFs. You can change the voice and reading speed without needing Word.
Immersive Reader in Word – Hear text read aloud, change page colours or focus on a few lines at a time.
Support for sight loss
If you are blind or partially sighted, explore other ways to read and find your way around a screen.
RNIB technology guides – Find tools that read your screen aloud or make things on screen bigger.
How to use your keyboard for website navigation – learn how using the tab, shift, enter, and other keys can help you navigate websites.
Help with hearing and communication
If you are deaf or have hearing loss, explore ways to follow videos, calls and conversations through text.
RNID technology guides – Find help with captions, apps that turn speech into text, and phone calls using text.
Live captions in Teams – See spoken words as text on screen during a meeting.
Help using a keyboard or mouse
If hand movement or a limb difference makes typing or clicking difficult, explore other ways to use your computer.
Voice access in Windows 11 – Control your computer and write using your voice. You need a microphone and internet access for the first setup.
Sticky Keys in Windows 11 – Use keyboard shortcuts by pressing one key at a time, rather than holding several keys together.
Learner support
Need more support?
Speak to your tutor about anything that makes learning difficult. Together, you can discuss changes that could help. This could include written instructions, breaks or breaking tasks into smaller steps. If necessary, your tutor can put you in touch with our Additional Learning Support team for more support. You do not need to have all the answers before asking for help.
