Staff FAQ
- Many memos ask for the student to be provided with lecture notes. Is this necessary if notes are available on line?
- One of my students has a note taker accompany him to class. What exactly is the role of the note taker and should they be attending a class if the student is not present?
- Whose responsibility is it to arrange accessible venues for students with disabilities?
- Is there a policy on how much of an extension should be given to students who have been recommended "flexibility with deadlines"?
- Are there any guidelines on how to mark the work of students with reading, spelling and / or writing difficulties?
- What happens if the support recommended does not suit the course of study?
- Why are so many students with dyslexia studying at College?
- Does College have a policy on supporting students with disabilities?
- What financial assistance is available for students with disabilities
- Is there a policy relating to Fitness to Practice?
- Who do I contact in the Disability Service?
Many memos ask for the student to be provided with lecture notes. Is this necessary if notes are available on line ?
Where the request for lecture notes has been made by the Disability Service (DS), it is imperative that if it is not possible to provide such support that the DS is contacted immediately. This will enable the DS to discuss alternative support with the student.
More and more Departments/Schools are now making copies of lecture notes available on line, which is extremely beneficial for all students, not just those with note taking difficulties. Some students however require notes to be provided to them in advance of lectures and in such cases, this should be done in a discreet manner e.g. students are not provided with the material in front of their peers. A system that has worked well to date is for a wallet/box for each student to be held in the Department /School office where staff can leave in lecture notes. Students can then call into the office to collect such material on a weekly basis. An alternative to this is to email copies of notes to the student in advance, which again, avoids any contact with the student during the lecture.
One of my students has a note taker accompany him to class. What exactly is the role of the note taker and should they be attending a class if the student is not present?
If a student has a note taker accompanying them to class, it will be detailed in their support memo. Some student may choose not to sit beside their note taker in class and it may not be apparent who the note taker is. All note takers are encouraged to make themselves known to the lecturer, to ensure that embarrassing situations do not arise, such as the note taker being asked a question.
The role of the note taker is to take notes only. They should not participate in class discussions or interact with other students. Note takers should not attend a class if the student is not there. However, in exceptional circumstances, note takers have been arranged to take notes for students who are sick and cannot attend, for reasons related to their disability. Note takers are asked to report to Disability Service if a student habitually fails to turn up.
Whose responsibility is it to arrange accessible venues for students with disabilities?
The Disability Service endeavours to see those students with mobility or physical disabilities prior to the commencement of the new academic year to allow for the arrangement for timetables and accessible venues. If a student requires an accessible venue, this will be detailed in their support requirements memo.
It is the responsibility of the Department/School, in conjunction with Room Bookings, where appropriate, to ensure that classes with students with mobility difficulties are given priority in booking accessible venues. Where difficulties arise in making such arrangements, it is essential that the Department/School contact the Disability Service immediately and allow staff to assist in the negotiation process.
Is there a policy on how much of an extension should be given to students who have been recommended "flexibility with deadlines"?
Within the support requirements memo from the Disability Service, a recommendation, which may be detailed, is a request for flexibility with deadlines. The rationale as to why this is necessary is also detailed. Students are informed by the Disability Service that for any extensions they need to contact either their School Academic Liaison Officer or an appropriate member of staff concerned prior to the existing deadline for the work. Students are aware that they are not in receipt of a blanket extension for the academic year and this is a form of support not to be abused.
There is not a policy or guideline as to how much time is reasonable. This will depend on the individual student's circumstances and the lecturer involved. Deadlines are made for a reason, and sometimes it may not be possible to provide students with an extension e.g. work must be submitted before the next exam board meeting. However, were possible, staff and students should agree a suitable submission date between themselves.
Are there any guidelines on how to mark the work of students with reading, spelling and / or writing difficulties?
In accordance with College's ongoing commitment to providing reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, the following changes have been introduced:
Stickers: Students with students with reading, spelling and / or writing difficulties such as dyslexia or who are deaf or have a significant hearing difficulty now have the option of formally disclosing their disability on their exam scripts. This accommodation is being introduced for the annual examinations in May 2007 and reviewed and revised in 2013. A list of students who have requested this accommodation has been sent to the Exams Office. The Exams Office will provide invigilators with the stickers and instructions to apply the appropriate sticker to the exam scripts. The stickers are printed under two titles with the College Crest and a link for further information.
What happens if the support recommended does not suit the course of study?
Disability Officers cannot possibly know everything about every course run in College. However, it is likely that staff within the Department/School will! If the support recommended by the Disability Officer does not suit a particular part of the student's course, please inform the Disability Officer concerned and discuss possible alternatives to ensure that the student is supported appropriately.
Why are so many students with dyslexia studying at College?
Dyslexia has always existed, but improved assessment techniques and greater awareness of dyslexia amongst teachers and lecturers has resulted in more students being identified as having dyslexia than ever before.
Does College have a policy on supporting students with disabilities?
College has a Code of Practice for students with disabilities. This Code of Practice is intended to provide a model for a high standard of service to students with disabilities. College will take reasonable steps to ensure that it does not place a student with a disability at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled student. The complete code found on teh main collge website : Code of Practice
What financial assistance is available for students with disabilities?
There are two main sources of funds for students with disabilities:
Social Welfare Benefits include:
- Disability Allowance
- Back to Education Allowance
- Supplementary Benefits
See http://www.welfare.ie for more information.
ESF Student with Disability Fund:
Much of the study related-support for students with a disability is financed through the ESF Student with Disability Fund. The National Access Office on behalf of the Department of Education & Science pays these grants. This grant is not means-tested and is available to undergraduates and postgraduates studying in the third level sector. This fund is for a person with a specific academic support need associated with their disability.
Students can contact their disability officer to discuss funding. For more information on all funding available to students in higher education see www.studentfinance.ie Studentfinance.ie is a user friendly comprehensive website that will help students and their families navigate through financial support systems.
Is there a policy relating to Fitness to Practice?
A fitness to practice policy for College was adopted by Board in May 2009. It contains guidelines for Schools and Course Committees on the content of school/departmental fitness to practice policies, together with recommendations on new procedures for dealing with fitness to practice cases. The report outlines the substantive elements of the policy, noting that relevant Schools/disciplines should (when formulating a policy) address:
• the competencies that are being assessed in the specific course and/or placement,
(ii) whether the competency requirement is justifiable in relation to each specific course and/or placement,
(iii) how competencies are assessed, and
(iv) in the case of a student with a disability, whether the School/discipline has engaged with the Disability Service to determine how the student's needs might be reasonably accommodated.
The adoption of this policy is a positive step and will protect students who disclose a disability and who seek reasonable accommodations in placements as part of their professional courses. The Disability Service continues to engage with relevant schools in supporting them to identify problem areas in placements and in understanding the reasonable accommodation process in work based environments.
To read the full policy please click on this link - Fitness to Practice Policy 2009
Who do I contact in the Disability Service?
There are three Disability Officers:
Declan Treanor
Disability Officer for students with Asperger's Syndrome and D/deaf
Room 3475, The Arts Building
Email: dtreanor@tcd.ie
Tel: 01 896 3475
Alison Doyle
Disability Officer for students with specific learning difficulties
Room 3029, The Arts Building
E-mail:alison.doyle@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 896 3014
Declan Reilly
Disability Officer
Room 2054, The Arts Building
E-mail:reillyde@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 896 3776