For many people with a disability, education can be the key to leading a fulfilling and independent life.

Learning centres in the UK should give students with disabilities an equal opportunity to learn, but make sure you let them know if you need help! Your college or university will be able to support you more effectively if you tell them about your specific requirements.

The term 'disability' covers a range of special needs including physical or sensory impairment, mental health difficulty, dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties and the following links are a great first step if you think you need support to study or to take part in college activities.

Skill (the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) is a charity that helps disabled people to overcome financial and physical barriers, also ignorance and discrimination so that they can study, train or find work.

Jobcentre has a section on help with special needs: incase you may need specially adapted equipment, special aids, or if you wish to consider a period of residential training.

Mencap is a resource that promotes understanding of learning disabilities. There is also information about education, employment, housing, leisure and financial services for people with learning disabilities.

To improve your job prospects, Directgov has information on training opportunities for people with disabilities.

Students with disabilities and special needs are entitled to extra funding to help them through their learning, providing them with support to suit their individual circumstances.

To find out more about financial support for students with disabilities on the National Union of Students website.

Open University has a handy section on disabled students' allowances. For instance, if you have a disability and/or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you could be eligible for additional funding regardless of your financial circumstances. There are allowances for additional equipment and software (for example a high specification computer), for non-medical study support (for example, a sign-language interpreter) and for related expenses. You can also claim for extra study travel costs that you have to pay because of your disability.

Directgov have an advice page for those who want to apply for grants and additional financial help.

Directgov has useful information on how to get some help when you are working and learning.

The Open University has advice and guidance for students with a disability. It also gives practical ideas and advice to help with the course application process.

Ouch! is the BBC's disability magazine, containing news, features, columnists, comedy and an online chat community, reflecting the experiences of disabled people.

Read their student diaries or catch-up with the latest disability-friendly tips from those in the know. Visit the Ouch! Weblog or their messageboards to discuss everything from movies and politics to partying.

In addition to the above links, Ouch's TV & Radio section has information about the BBC's ongoing disability programmes, plus the latest disability documentaries, related articles and archive information on previous one-off programmes you may have seen.