Applicants with a disability

Application to CAO
Applicants with a disability applying for full time undergraduate degree/diploma courses in Trinity College should apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO) indicating on the application form that they have a disability or specific learning difficulty, which is the basis for seeking reasonable accommodations and support in pursuing their College career.

Application to DARE
Trinity has a supplementary application procedure in place for students from non-traditional learning backgrounds, which includes students with disabilities. This is known as DARE (Disability Access Route to Education).  DARE is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers who have a disability or specific learning difficulty. Students who are considered to be DARE eligible may secure a place on a reduced points basis.  DARE offers areconditional on registration with the Disability Service.


DARE Admissions Procedure

• Apply to CAO by 17:15 on 1 February 2014.

• No later than 17:15 on 1 March 2014, you must disclose your disability and/or specific learning difficulty in your CAO application and fully and correctly complete Section A of the Supplementary Information Form (the SIF is a part of your CAO application).

• If you wish to be considered for the DARE scheme, you must indicate this on Section A of the fully completed SIF by 17:15 on 1 March 2014.

• The fully completed Second Level Academic Reference (Section B) and Evidence of Disability (Section C) of the SIF must arrive at the CAO no later than 17:15 on 1st April 2014.

Condition of a DARE Offer: Students who receive a DARE offer must register with the Disability Service and agree on a schedule of meetings with the service.

More Information

More Information on DARE is available from your school Guidance Counsellor or the Disability Office (see below). Information can also be found on: www.accesscollege.ie; www.cao.ie; www.tcd.ie/pathways-to-trinity; www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/apply/eu/disability

Full details of DARE eligibility criteria for each specific disability can be accessed from www.accesscollege.ie/dare/applications-processed.php

A DARE Application Clinic will be held on Wednesday 22 January 2014, from 6pm-8pm in the Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin. To reserve a place please contact the Disability Service on 01 896 3111.

Application forms and guidelines are available for download from the DARE website, www.accesscollege.ie/dare/downloads.php
In addition to satisfying the criteria for the DARE scheme students must also matriculate (i.e. present six Leaving Certificate subjects, including English, Mathematics and one other modern language; three of these subjects must be at HC3 or better and three subjects at OD3 or better) and meet the specific course requirements as outlined in the undergraduate prospectus or on the TCD website at www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/requirements/.

Mature students (i.e. at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the proposed year of entry) with disabilities should apply via the supplementary admissions procedure for mature students as well as applying via CAO. There is no late application facility for this scheme – application must be made by 1st February.

Application for Language or Mathematics Waiver
Students with specific learning difficulties, sensory or communication disabilities may apply for a waiver of the modern language requirement, provided that the study of a language does not form part of their chosen course of study. In addition, students with dyscalculia, sensory or communication disabilities, may be eligible to request exemption from the minimum entry requirement of a pass in mathematics, where mathematics does not form any component of their intended course. Please note:

1. This is a separate application to the DARE supplementary admissions process and written application must be made to the Admissions Office, Trinity College, Dublin 2 before 1 July of the year of entry.
2. Students should be aware that the criteria for waiving the language or mathematics requirement are different to that required for the DARE scheme. The granting of a language waiver does not mean that a student is automatically eligible for the DARE scheme.

Applicants should consult the following:

• Language or Mathematics Waiver criteria (PDF 139 KB)
• Guidelines for assessment of specific learning difficulty (PDF 89 KB)
• Language waiver application form (PDF 33 KB).

Note: Applicants to Trinity College Dublin are required to present a qualification in one language other than English. Therefore students should only apply for a language waiver if they are not taking any languages in their Leaving Certificate examination.

Allocation of Places
In recognition of national and college targets to increase the number of students with sensory and physical disabilities, DARE offers will be made first to eligible applicants within these target groups, and remaining places offered to all other students with disabilities who are eligible.

Further information

If you wish to clarify any issues or concerns you may have in relation to your disability and the demands of a course, or on professional practice after qualification, please contact a member of the Disability Service staff by phone or e-mail at:
Disability Service www.tcd.ie/disability
Phone: + 353 1 896 3111 E-mail: disab@tcd.ie

Pathways to Trinity www.tcd.ie/pathways-to-trinity
Email: pathways@tcd.ie