Rescind the decision to prevent use of specialist software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9) in examinations Petition: Signature List Feed http://www.gopetition.com/signatures/rescind-the-decision-to-prevent-use-of-specialist-software-dragon-naturallyspeaking-9-in-examinations.html Online petition signatures en-us Wed, 8 Apr 2026 07:03 UTC GoPetition RSS Feed Generator Copyright 2026 GoPetition Del Gabbay [Signature #93] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/6442300?utm_medium=rss Mon, 9 Nov 2009 08:40:59 UTC 6442300 Ms Susan Lazenby [Signature #92] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4164393?utm_medium=rss Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:38:28 UTC 4164393 MS Katharine Tomlins [Signature #91] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4154393?utm_medium=rss I am a disabled person who doesn't need to use dragon at the moment, but probably will in the future. I have serious pain issues when writing and typing.

This policy effectively prevents people who need to use the software from taking courses with exams.

On the one hand DSA pays for the software and then the university tells you you can't use it a couple of weeks before the exam. It would be like telling other students they can't use a pen and have to make other arrangements

]]> Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:34:11 UTC 4154393 Ms Naomi Lawson [Signature #90] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4146653?utm_medium=rss The OU needs to re-examine its Equality and Diversity Policy, which this decision clearly breaches.

]]> Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:53:23 UTC 4146653 Ms Andrea Shettle, MSW [Signature #89] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4136432?utm_medium=rss Seems to me only fair that users of Dragon should be held to the same standard as people using Word: if people are allowed to use advanced versions of Word that have macros, then they should also be allowed to use Dragon. If macros must first be disabled in Word then they should first be disabled in Dragon. I'm not directly implicated by this decision, but I've been reading on-line from people mid way through their OU program (or thinking about starting) who might now quit: please fix this.

]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:08:36 UTC 4136432 Anita Jamieson [Signature #88] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4127246?utm_medium=rss Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:18:24 UTC 4127246 Ms Irene Stephenson [Signature #87] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4118964?utm_medium=rss The O.U. fail to realise that for some students there is no acceptable alternative to Dragon. Some have dexterity needs preventing them from typing and have speech or concentration problems that make using an amanuensis impossible. Dragon enables those with speech defects to do exams. Whereas an amanuensis you've never met before may not be able to understand your speech. Come on O.U. reverse this discriminatory decision now!

]]> Tue, 9 Sep 2008 04:06:19 UTC 4118964 Ms Krystina Stephenson [Signature #86] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4118937?utm_medium=rss I think the way this has been handled is shameful. I'm very disappointed with the O.U. over this. It leads the sector in most disability issues, but this has shown that accessibility is not at the center of their planning and is definitely not led by student needs.

]]> Tue, 9 Sep 2008 03:57:21 UTC 4118937 Ms Anonymous [Signature #85] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4102368?utm_medium=rss Sat, 6 Sep 2008 03:10:16 UTC 4102368 Mrs Lizzie Walker [Signature #84] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4085549?utm_medium=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 10:52:19 UTC 4085549 Miss Jean Perkins [Signature #83] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4083026?utm_medium=rss This is an important piece of software which enables those with disabilities to improve the quality of hteir life.

]]> Thu, 4 Sep 2008 03:13:35 UTC 4083026 June Wayland [Signature #82] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4081279?utm_medium=rss Wed, 3 Sep 2008 06:04:42 UTC 4081279 Susan felix [Signature #81] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4066802?utm_medium=rss Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:40:57 UTC 4066802 Margo Milne [Signature #80] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4066084?utm_medium=rss Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:48:58 UTC 4066084 Mrs Sharon Symons [Signature #79] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4044759?utm_medium=rss Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:40:44 UTC 4044759 mrs Georgina Cambridge [Signature #78] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4044696?utm_medium=rss I am sitting an exam in October and would have loved to have been able to use Dragon. This might be able to push my grades up considerably

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:32:47 UTC 4044696 Nik Parkhill [Signature #77] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4043766?utm_medium=rss Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:15:32 UTC 4043766 Mr Donald Hedges, BA(Hons)(Solent), Dip Eng Law(Open) [Signature #76] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4043172?utm_medium=rss Yes, I think that this sort of software should be available to those that require it and it worries me that those who could help facilitate its continued implementation are dragging their feet over it.

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:33:41 UTC 4043172 Ms Ruth Garcia [Signature #75] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4037817?utm_medium=rss The deadline is approaching for me to register for my next course and I have not as yet been told whether or not I can use Dragon for my next exam. If I can't use Dragon then I have wasted 2 years so far and now will be unable to carry on studying with OU.

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:15:47 UTC 4037817 Ms Anonymous [Signature #74] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4030046?utm_medium=rss Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:36:48 UTC 4030046 Mrs. Fiona McConachie-Anderson [Signature #73] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/4019087?utm_medium=rss I'm wholeheartedly in favour of allowing the use of Dragon Naturally Speaking or any voice to text program for learning disabled students. Taking it away without other accommodations is totally inappropriate. Is it legal to not accommodate based on learning needs?

]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:19:14 UTC 4019087 Mr Donald Hedges, BA(Hons)(Solent), Dip Eng Law(Open) [Signature #72] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3862454?utm_medium=rss Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:50:30 UTC 3862454 miss tracey sinnick [Signature #71] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3834945?utm_medium=rss Fri, 4 Jul 2008 08:48:30 UTC 3834945 Miss Amy Addyman [Signature #70] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3834749?utm_medium=rss Fri, 4 Jul 2008 07:23:24 UTC 3834749 Ms Ruth Garcia [Signature #69] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3830269?utm_medium=rss The decision to disallow the use of dragon version 9 severely disadvantages those who already have difficulties to overcome and who require support to make achievements which others take for granted. It will not only discourage those already taking courses with the OU but also prevent potential future students registering.

]]> Thu, 3 Jul 2008 06:32:50 UTC 3830269 Mrs Ghislaine Bedford [Signature #68] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3826758?utm_medium=rss Wed, 2 Jul 2008 11:49:28 UTC 3826758 Louise Dainty [Signature #67] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3822870?utm_medium=rss Tue, 1 Jul 2008 03:09:00 UTC 3822870 Mary Richards [Signature #66] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3822159?utm_medium=rss I have just received expensive training to use Dragon 9. If this was kown for 6 months what a waste.

]]> Tue, 1 Jul 2008 10:51:44 UTC 3822159 Sue Webster [Signature #65] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3821990?utm_medium=rss Tue, 1 Jul 2008 09:48:16 UTC 3821990 mrs m mouse [Signature #64] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3821518?utm_medium=rss Tue, 1 Jul 2008 07:18:22 UTC 3821518 Ms Miranda Dickinson [Signature #63] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3821410?utm_medium=rss The OU should reverse its decision immediately, stop discriminating against students with disabilities and adopt a crystal-clear guideline policy to prevent misuse and misunderstandings.

]]> Tue, 1 Jul 2008 06:53:59 UTC 3821410 Samantha Lucas [Signature #62] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3821288?utm_medium=rss Tue, 1 Jul 2008 06:23:11 UTC 3821288 Tracey Dagg [Signature #61] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3820709?utm_medium=rss I think it is highly unfair of the University to discriminate in this way against disabled students.

]]> Tue, 1 Jul 2008 03:34:06 UTC 3820709 mr Robert McCallum [Signature #60] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3820576?utm_medium=rss Tue, 1 Jul 2008 02:56:47 UTC 3820576 Dr Lynne Dixon [Signature #59] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3819944?utm_medium=rss The short notice to students is outrageous. If there's a concern over potential malpractice, the solution is surely invigilator training?

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:08:37 UTC 3819944 Miss Sarah Addyman [Signature #58] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3818564?utm_medium=rss Rules about what software can be used should not be changed part way through a course - and especially not just before exams. Tighten rules on its use, yes, but don't ban it completely.

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:23:02 UTC 3818564 Mr Jason Pealin [Signature #57] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3813788?utm_medium=rss Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:55:38 UTC 3813788 Mr Nigel Ashton [Signature #56] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3813374?utm_medium=rss Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:20:22 UTC 3813374 Ms Alison Kingan [Signature #55] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3813329?utm_medium=rss I have used an amanuensis and Dragon in exams. An amanuensis caused me more difficulties than Dragon. Please find a way to ensure Dragon can be used in exams.

]]> Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:01:41 UTC 3813329 Mrs Victoria Hon [Signature #54] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3812677?utm_medium=rss If you remove a hand.. you cant expect someone to be equal in an exam. If you remove the stick from a blind person they cannot walk. If you remove a peice of acces software.. you are doing the same. And what is worse.. Your DSA office supplied most of them. This is the OU problem not the students. Dont harm students because of your incompetence!

]]> Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:22:20 UTC 3812677 Miss Emma Leatt [Signature #53] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3812514?utm_medium=rss Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:42:30 UTC 3812514 Hilary Addyman [Signature #52] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3811052?utm_medium=rss Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:02:46 UTC 3811052 Mrs Christine Leatt [Signature #51] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3810868?utm_medium=rss I was assessed for Dragon in March, and had my first IT training with it yesterday. What is the point od recommending and sanctioning, software that cannot be used?

]]> Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:03:03 UTC 3810868 richard tredrea [Signature #50] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3810029?utm_medium=rss Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:09:28 UTC 3810029 mrs elizabeth tredrea [Signature #49] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3810016?utm_medium=rss Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:00:13 UTC 3810016 Elizabeth Ayers [Signature #48] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3807564?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:38:30 UTC 3807564 Mrs Diane Ward [Signature #47] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3807224?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:40:04 UTC 3807224 Kath Riley [Signature #46] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3806848?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:56:07 UTC 3806848 Rosemary Kerr [Signature #45] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805849?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:22:39 UTC 3805849 Mr PeterG Howard [Signature #44] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805772?utm_medium=rss As a Dragon user, this exclusion means just that to me and other students.
Please include me and not exclude me.

]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:06:13 UTC 3805772 Anonymous [Signature #43] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805766?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:03:40 UTC 3805766 Mrs Marcia Rule [Signature #42] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805757?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:58:22 UTC 3805757 Miss Lesley Whittle [Signature #41] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805735?utm_medium=rss I'm appalled at this decision being taken without considering the undue stress it will cause to students relying on the software. Further I'm disgusted that the OU has not seen fit to inform students affected by the decision in a timely manner, and to offer them adequate alternatives, in good time. Exams are stressfull enough without this additional hurdle being imposed at the last minute. Please can the OU review this decision urgently, and find a way that Dragon 9 can be used in exams?

]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:50:10 UTC 3805735 Ingeborg Hartgerink [Signature #40] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805648?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:28:07 UTC 3805648 Anonymous [Signature #39] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805603?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:15:56 UTC 3805603 Carly Fuller [Signature #38] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805487?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:48:42 UTC 3805487 Caroline Morgan [Signature #37] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805475?utm_medium=rss I can only think that this rule was made by the relevant OU committee in complete ignorance of its practical implications, or of the less drastic alternatives available.
There is no excuse for the lack of action in informing and assisting affected students as soon as this decision was made.

]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:44:13 UTC 3805475 Mrs Talena Thompson [Signature #36] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805465?utm_medium=rss This whole sitation is disgusting. 2wks notice that disabled students cannot use the software provided by the DSA, when the OU has known since December and also knows that training the software takes months, and that the alternative is not an equivalent method is discrimination at its worst. That the student is not allowed to complain about it on a 'special circumstance' form compounds the error and opens speculation as to why. I am appalled.

]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:41:07 UTC 3805465 Mrs Jennifer Williams [Signature #35] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3805352?utm_medium=rss Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:04:09 UTC 3805352 Miss Christine Mary Fitze [Signature #34] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3803056?utm_medium=rss Although I do not use Dragon myself, I most strongly believe that those students who need to use Dragon because of their disabilities should definitely be allowed to use it.

Disabled students have toovercome enough barriers to study at the OU without more being created.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:38:45 UTC 3803056 Andrea Simmons [Signature #33] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802796?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:08:52 UTC 3802796 Mr Chris Dixon, MILT MInstTA MINSTLM [Signature #32] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802746?utm_medium=rss As a disabled student and war veteran with multiple injuries I count on enabiling software to help with my disabilities whilst I study for a honours degree. To block the use of Dragon software in Dec 2007 without informing every DSA student is unacceptable and should be order be rescinded until they can provide every OU student with enabling software at their expence, not ours.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:52:00 UTC 3802746 Diana Isserlis [Signature #31] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802551?utm_medium=rss The decision to deny students the use of Dragon in exams was made 6 months ago. Dragon users were informed 2 weeks before their exams.

Only one version of Dragon can't have macros disabled, but they can be deleted by an invigilator.

Please let students already affected know how they are going to be compensated for their shabby treatment or is it going to take litigation to resolve the issue?

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:53:43 UTC 3802551 mrs Georgina Cambridge [Signature #30] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802359?utm_medium=rss I believe as disabled students, we have been approved to use Dragon 9 in TMAs etc, we do not get the typng practice to type assignments and do not handwrite because of having tierd hands, so exam times are hard, so why disallow dragon9 in exams.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:53:15 UTC 3802359 Ms Michelle Baker [Signature #29] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802345?utm_medium=rss Some of us need Dragon software!!!

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:46:37 UTC 3802345 Fi Archer [Signature #28] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802308?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:30:49 UTC 3802308 Zoe Kirkby [Signature #27] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802289?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:24:43 UTC 3802289 Mrs Joy Clark [Signature #26] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802264?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:18:26 UTC 3802264 Mrs Toni Cressall [Signature #25] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3802074?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:11:20 UTC 3802074 Ms Rebecca Stevenson [Signature #24] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3801947?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:33:15 UTC 3801947 Mrs Marie Brydon [Signature #23] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3801941?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:31:53 UTC 3801941 David Moss [Signature #22] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3801938?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:31:27 UTC 3801938 Mr. Andy Mulhearn [Signature #21] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3801405?utm_medium=rss A very bad decision that has been poorly communicated to affected students

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:32:15 UTC 3801405 Mrs Cherrill Day [Signature #20] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3800784?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:52:10 UTC 3800784 Mrs Jennifer Botham [Signature #19] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3800737?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:38:01 UTC 3800737 Mrs Sharon Symons [Signature #18] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3800489?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:32:22 UTC 3800489 Miss Monica Brennan [Signature #17] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3800419?utm_medium=rss I believe that the decision to disallow Dragon discriminates against disabled students, because non disabled students who normally word process essays, can spend as much time as they wish, practising their handwriting for the exam. Whereas disabled students, using an amanuensis are only allowed one practice session.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:17:25 UTC 3800419 Kerrie Oman [Signature #16] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3800202?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:29:39 UTC 3800202 Linda Flack [Signature #15] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3799916?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:34:36 UTC 3799916 miss emma taylor [Signature #14] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3799716?utm_medium=rss Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:46:22 UTC 3799716 J Watters [Signature #13] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3797807?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:30:41 UTC 3797807 Linda Hawkins [Signature #12] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3797631?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:00:01 UTC 3797631 Nicola Williamson [Signature #11] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3797313?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:58:25 UTC 3797313 Mrs Katy Board [Signature #10] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3797194?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:27:48 UTC 3797194 Ms. Krys Stephenson [Signature #9] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3797046?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:39:38 UTC 3797046 Ms Linda Thomas [Signature #8] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3797014?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:29:10 UTC 3797014 Mr Phil Ballard [Signature #7] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3796998?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:20:46 UTC 3796998 Mr Douglas Paulley [Signature #6] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3796924?utm_medium=rss it's shameful that some people are being told at 2 weeks notice that they can't use the software they've been assessed as needing, have relied on throughout the course and were expecting to use in the exam, has been blocked.

I also don't understand the reasoning. Apparently it's to do with "macros" but students who use Word are still being allowed to use that?

Come on OU, this is hardly "open as to means" is it. I am most surprised and disappointed that they haven't sorted this out. Shame.

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:53:09 UTC 3796924 miss fiona martin [Signature #5] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3796862?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:29:59 UTC 3796862 J Doubtfire [Signature #4] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3796419?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:34:44 UTC 3796419 J Muckelt [Signature #3] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3796325?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:30 UTC 3796325 Mr Harry Wright [Signature #2] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3796250?utm_medium=rss This is a totally discriminatory decision against the most vulnerable of students, and is causing unnecessary stress and suffering.

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:31:15 UTC 3796250 Judith Thomas [Signature #1] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/3796245?utm_medium=rss Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:29:12 UTC 3796245