Declan Treanor - Disability Service Director
Biography
Declan Treanor is Director of the Disability Service (DS) at Trinity College Dublin, with responsibility for providing the overall strategic direction, vision, and quality assurance of the Service. His leadership ensures that the DS aligns its operations with the University’s Strategic Plan while also contributing to national and international policy development in disability and inclusion.
Educated at University of Galway (B.Sc.), University of Roehampton (Higher Diploma in Teacher Education), London School of Economics (M.Sc. Social Policy), UCL (M.Ed.), Ulster University (Diploma in Universal Design), Trinity College Dublin (Postgraduate Diploma in Education, M.A.), Queens University Belfast (Postgraduate Diploma in Autism), and UCC (Postgraduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology), Declan brings a wealth of interdisciplinary expertise to his role.
Over the past decade, Declan has led a period of major transformation within the Disability Service, moving from a primarily operational model to a strategic one. His current focus is on developing and delivering the Trinity Disability Action Plan 2025–2030, which sets out a long-term vision to make Trinity the first choice for disabled students in Ireland. The Plan emphasises strategy, leadership, inclusion, and measurable quality improvements across the University.
Declan’s work includes:
1. Strategic Leadership: Shaping Trinity’s institutional approach to disability and inclusion, embedding the principles of the Trinity Inclusive Integrated Model (TIIM) across teaching, assessment, and student life.
2. Vision and Direction: Steering initiatives such as the Fourth Space model, the Neurodivergent Project, and the development of Universal Design Guidelines for Trinity’s built environment.
3. Quality and Sustainability: Driving the creation of a Sustainability Plan for the new Trinity disAbility Hub in Printing House Square, ensuring that future service delivery is both impactful and sustainable.
4. National and Sectoral Influence: Representing Trinity at a national level as a member of the Department of Education’s National Access Plan Monitoring Committee and the FSD Taskforce, as well as contributing to DAWN (Disability Advisors Working Network) and the IUA Access Leaders Group.
5. Partnerships and Funding: Building philanthropic, community, and employer partnerships to expand opportunities for disabled students and to support the growth of the disAbility Hub.
Declan also prioritises supporting and developing staff with disabilities within Trinity, fostering synergies across departments and strengthening inclusion as part of the University’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) commitments.
In summary: Declan’s role has evolved from operational oversight to strategic leadership, focusing on vision, quality, and long-term direction. Through the Disability Action Plan 2025–2030 and related initiatives, he is working to ensure Trinity becomes a model of excellence for inclusion in higher education.