What does the University mean by the term "disability"?

Disability means a condition that substantially affects your ability to carry out day to day activities. If you feel your disability or specific learning difficulty is affecting your ability to study, then the staff at the DCU DLSS may be able to help you.

Who can use our services?

Our services are for all students with a disability, including, but not limited, to those who:

• are blind or partially sighted;
• are deaf or hard of hearing;
• have specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia
• have ADHD or asperger syndrome;
• have physical/mobility disabilities, such as wheelchair users;
• have speech and language disabilities;
• have mental health difficulties;
• have significant ongoing health issues, such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma

Should I disclose my disability to DCU?

Yes. The DCU DLSS is there to support you. By disclosing your disability it means that you will be assisted in accessing a range of reasonable supports, provided by the University and by the State, to enable you to successfully complete your course. However, the choice to disclose is entirely up to you.  For CAO applicants it also means your application will be considered under the Supplementary Admission Route for Applicants with Disabilities

Can DCU guarantee my privacy?

Any information that you provide to the DLSS will remain confidential. It is important to remember however, that the DLSS cannot provide support in isolation. With your permission, information will be disclosed solely for the purpose of arranging the necessary support for you.

What services and support is offered to students with disabilities?

Every student with a disability in DCU has access to a wide range of reasonable supports and services. These are co-ordinated by the DCU DLSS and are based on each student’s individual needs.

Some of our services include;

Needs assessment

• We will look at your needs and put the support you need in place.
• Assistive technology (AT) and alternative format (AF) service.
• We have an AT/AF Officer and a dedicated AT room with a range of accessible software/equipment and training will be provided

Learning support service

• Our Learning Support Officer has experience in helping students with specific learning difficulties. She can work with you to develope learning strategies and study skills.
• We also offer a screening service to identify whether you have indicators of a learning difference such as dyslexia.

Examination support

• We work with the college on your behalf to provide support such as extra time, smaller venue, accessible format or assistive technology

Tutor support.

• You may have one to one tutor support in some subject areas

Library services.

• The library has a wide range of accessible facilities. For more details go to: http://www.dcu.ie/library/services_and_facilities/disabilities.shtml

Financial support

If you study full time and it is your first undergraduate course, depending on your individual needs, you may qualify for the European Social Fund for Students with Disabilities (ESF) to avail of specific supports such as tutor assistance, or software for example. The DLSS will apply for funding on your behalf.

More information on third level grants available for students with a disability can be found at www.studentfinance.ie

How do I access these supports?

To access any of the services and supports on offer, you must first register with the Disability and Learning Support Service. It is up to you to make contact with the DLSS and you are encouraged to register as soon as possible when you arrive to DCU. Registration involves meeting with the Disability Officer, where an assessment of your learning needs is carried out, and then where possible, reasonable supports are put in place for you. The initial meeting usually takes approximately half an hour.

Please contact us for more information on services and supports to suit your particular needs.

If you have very specific needs, such as requiring course books in alternative format, it is a good idea to contact us as soon as possible after accepting your offer so that we can put the right support in place before you begin your studies.

What support is available for examinations?

DCU is committed to ensuring that students with a disability are not disadvantaged in examinations. Reasonable alternative examination arrangements may be made for students because of their disability and are made on an individual basis.

Examination accommodations may include;

• Time allowances
• Rest periods
• Announcements
• Smaller examination centres
• Physical space
• Accessible toilets
• Use of Computer or Assistive Technology

Students who wish to apply for examination accommodations are required to register with the DLSS no later than 1st November each year. Please contact the Disability Office to arrange an appointment.

What financial support is available?

European Social Fund for Students with Disabilities (ESF)

The Third Level Access activity is funded by the Irish Government and part funded by the European Social Fund under the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013Currently, if you are a full time, third level student with a disability, the DLSS can apply on your behalf to the National Access Office for a support grant under the “European Fund for Students with Disabilities". This fund is operated by the DLSS and funding is received from the Irish Government under the National Development Plan in association with the European Structural Funds.You can apply for a grant relative to your requirements, for example, specific equipment or materials, technological aids, transport, sign language interpretation, notetakers and other supports. Application forms are completed in consultation with the Disability Officer. This support grant is not means-tested and is available to full-time undergraduates and postgraduates studying in the third level sector..

DCU Financial Assistance Fund

You may, due to sudden changes in your circumstances (e.g., redundancy at home / sudden illness of a family member etc), experience serious financial pressure. The Student Support and Development office administers a Student Assistance Fund which may be used for students who encounter financial difficulties which may lead to difficulty in continuing with or concentrating on their studies.
Further information available at: http://www.dcu.ie/students/finance/index.shtml

Remission of Fees

In a small number of cases, DCU offers a remission or part-remission of fees to students in extreme financial difficulty. Each student is individually assessed. Students should fill out the Remission of Fees Application Form and submit before the relevant date which is detailed in the form.
Further information at: http://www.dcu.ie/students/finance/remission.shtml

Student Finance

The HEA have a website www.studentfinance.ie. Student Finance brings together comprehensive and user-friendly information on the range of financial support programmes available in further and higher education. It is designed to help users to quickly and conveniently identify the various sources of financial support that they may be eligible for and how they might apply. It is a valuable information resource for students, prospective students, their families and those who provide advice and guidance