How to Apply for Reasonable Accommodations with the Disability Service

 

Applications for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service can be broken down into 12 easy steps and most of the process takes place online at my.tcd.ie, your student portal, where you can also complete your registration for your chosen course and see your course and exam timetables. 

Please note that if you have already applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service in previous academic years there is no need to re-apply but please notify the Disability office by emailing askds@tcd.ie. 

Steps to complete your application for Reasonable Accommodations

Firstly, go online via a web browser and in the address box please enter my.tcd.ie.
Login with your Trinity username and password; these are the same details you were given to complete your Trinity course registration.

 

Once you access my.tcd.ie, click on the ‘My Disability Service’ tab on the top of the screen under the Menu. You will be brought to the Disability Service Application page to start your online application process.

Click on the link called: ‘Reasonable Accommodation Application '. You will be presented with information in relation to your online Disability Support application. Read the information provided and then click on the ‘Proceed’ button to continue with your application.

You will be asked to indicate the primary disability that relates to your application with the Disability Service.

You will be provided with a dropdown menu of 12 categories and will be asked to select the disability that applies to you and impacts on you the most. If you have a secondary disability, please select the category from the second drop down menu under Secondary Disability. This may not apply to you as you may only have one disability, and if so select 'None'. If you have more than two disabilities, indicate the two that impact on you the most.

In addition, supply a brief note (max 500 characters) in the text box to describe your disability support requirements and click on the 'Continue' button.

The Reasonable Accommodation Policy outlines your rights and responsibilities as a student with a disability in availing of the supports provided by the Disability Service in Trinity. It is an important document, to read the Trinity Reasonable Accommodation Policy in full you should click on this link.

You need to confirm that you have read it and whether you agree to it. Tick ‘Yes’, if you have fully read it and agree to the points outlined within this document.  

It is important to be aware that if you do not agree to the points outlined within the above linked policy, then you will be unable to continue with the application process and fully apply for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service. This will delay your application to receive Reasonable Accommodations

If you have queries about the Reasonable Accomodation Policy, please contact a member of the Disability Service staff for more information. 

Once you have read the ‘Trinity Consent to Disclose Disability Information form’ you need to confirm that you have read it and whether you agree to it. Tick ‘Yes’, if you have fully read it and agree to the points outlined within this document.   

It is important to be aware that if you do not agree to the points outlined within the Trinity Consent to Disclose Disability Information form, then you will be unable to continue with this application process. This will delay your application to receive Reasonable Accommodations.

If you have queries about the Trinity Consent to Disclose Disability Information form, please contact a member of the Disability Service staff for more information.

Step 7 - Support Routes

Read the text within the application page and make yourself aware of the two support routes available to students and click ‘Next’.

Once you have applied for Reasonable Accommodations online with the Disability Service a Disability Officer will review your evidence of disability. The Disability Officer will determine if your support can be confirmed by issuing you with a needs assessment report (called a LENS report) in your Trinity portal my.tcd.ie.

The Disability Officer may invite you to attend a group information session to provide you with additional details on specific types of support available. If the Disability Officer decides a meeting with you is required, they will contact you to carry out a one-to-one needs assessment. Typical supports you can access via the Disability Service may be: 

 

• Access to assistive technology;
• Exam accommodations such as extra time;

The library supports such as additional borrowing privileges.

 

Specialist Disability Supports: 

Students who may require specialist support will be invited to meet with a member of the Disability Service team on a one-to-one basis to discuss the support available. A full needs assessment will be carried out during this one-to-one meeting. Following this, a needs assessment report called a LENS report will be provided to you. Specialist Disability Supports include: 

 

Assistive Technology Support and Training;

Respite room access;

Access to Occupational Therapy supports;

Individual set exam accommodations;

Physical access accommodations.

Step 8 - Exam Accommodations

Choose ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the dropdown menu to receive exam accommodations and then click ‘Next’.

• If you require exam accommodations such as extra time, choose 'Yes'If you do not require exam accommodations, choose 'No'.
• Please review exam accommodation information by following this link.

Deadlines:
Please be aware of the deadlines for each semester and the reassessment period for the application and updating of exam accommodations.

Trinity has set examination deadlines for each semester and reassessment period as follows:

• Semester 1 assessments and Foundation Scholarship assessment: last Friday in October annually
• Semester 2 assessments: last Friday in February annually 
• Reassessments: last Friday in June annually

Step 9 - Select your Evidence of Disability to upload

You are required to upload your Evidence of Disability at this stage. You must select the type of evidence of a disability that you are uploading from the dropdown menu at the bottom of the page.

Please check what evidence of disability applies to you on the Evidence of Disability form.

For all DARE students, please upload the evidence you submitted to the CAO.

If you do not have appropriate evidence of your disability you should forward the Evidence of Disability form to your medical consultant/specialist to be completed.
Once you have selected the evidence of disability to upload, then click ‘Proceed to Upload Document’. 

Once you have selected the evidence of disability from the dropdown list provided click 'Upload Document’ to find and upload your document.

Scan and save your Evidence of Disability as one document on your computer as this will assist you when uploading it.

Step 10 - Upload your Evidence of Disability

Upload your evidence of disability, by clicking on the ‘Browse’ button and searching for the file on your computer. (Please be advised that your evidence should be scanned and saved as one document prior to upload). Then click on the ‘Upload File’ button. You will be informed when the upload is complete. If you have more documents to upload, select ‘Upload another Document’ and follow the same process.  

Students may find the following app www.camscanner.com useful, it enables you to use your phone/tablet camera to scan a document and save it in PDF format.

This link also has useful information regarding apps that can provide tech support. 

Step 11 - Submit Application

To finish your Application for Reasonable Accomodations, please click on the 'Submit Application' button.

Step 12 - Await Contact from the Disability Service

Your application for Reasonable Accommodations is now complete and all you need to do is wait to hear from a member of the Disability Service who will contact you, schedule an appointment to finalise your application and arrange Reasonable Accommodations with you.  

You will receive an in-tray message to your my.tcd.ie portal to confirm that you have completed all the steps required. 

You should also read our Student Handbook and familiarise yourself with the range of supports provided via the Disability Service.