Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a disability it is strongly recommended that you apply for support with the Trinity Disability Service. The Disability Service can assist you throughout your Trinity journey with its wide range of supports.

These include learning supports; Assistive technology; exam accommodations; academic support; and individual support via your own Disability Officer.

Moreover, the DS provides a safe, welcoming environment and a helping hand for those in need.

For more information about the types of resources and supports on offer click on this link.

Yes! Students suffering with Mental Health issues are encouraged to apply for supports with the Disability Service. There are many supports available for students who face difficulty with a range of Mental Health issues. You can e-mail askds@tcd.ie confidentially with any queries or concerns. For more information and a step-by-step guide on how to apply for supports with the Disability Service click on this link.

You should also contact the Trinity Student Counselling Service. Making an appointment is quick and simple. All you need to do is call them on (01) 8961407 or drop into them on the 3rd Floor of 7-9 South Leinster Street. An appointment will be made for you where you will have a quick consultation to see what you require. They are there to speak to you and support you, whatever your situation. The Student Counselling Service is run by staff members and volunteers and includes referral to supportive therapeutic groups, information on self-help supports within the service, online therapy programmes, or scheduled appointments to engage in further counselling, or in some cases referral to external services. For more information on student counselling click on this link.

Trinity College Dublin offers various supports and reasonable accommodations to encourage sustainable growth and learning. For more information about the Disability Service and the type of support available click on this link.

According to the World Health Organization, "disability" is an umbrella term that covers any impairments, activity limitations, and/or participation restrictions. Therefore, disability is not just a health problem, it is a very complex term that may encompass a number of situations. To visit the World Health Organisation website, for more information on the World Health Organisation click on this link.

Disability can be broken down into the following categories:

1. Intellectual
2. Physical
3. Sensory
4. Neurological
5. Mental illness

The list above is not exclusive, and many disabilities can be seen across more than one field due to their impact on one's wellbeing.

There are many options available to you. For general information on disability in Ireland, visit the Disability Federation website. You can also visit the National Disability Authority website.

Alternatively, you can visit the Trinity College Health Centre to discuss your concerns with a healthcare professional. Visit the Health Centre website by clicking on this link.

You can also e-mail the Disability Service at askds@tcd.ie with questions or concerns.

Students suffering with Mental Health difficulties are encouraged to apply for supports with the Disability Service. There are many supports available for students who face difficulty with a range of Mental Health issues. You can email askds@tcd.ie confidentially with any queries or concerns.

You should also contact the Trinity Student Counselling Service. Making an appointment is quick and simple. All you need to do is call them on (01) 8961407 or drop into them on the 3rd Floor of 7-9 South Leinster Street. An appointment will be made for you where you will have a quick consultation to see what you require. They are there to speak to you and support you, whatever your situation. The Student Counselling Service is run by staff members and volunteers and includes referral to supportive therapeutic groups, information on self-help supports within the service, online therapy programmes, or scheduled appointments to engage in further counselling, or in some cases referral to external services.

For more information on the Student Counselling Service click on this link.

Once you have applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service and supplied your evidence, you will be assigned to a Disability Officer and they will be in touch via e-mail to arrange a meeting. In this meeting you can discuss your individual needs and explore the various options available to you. For more information on the supports provided by the Disability Service, click on this link.

Click on this link for information on how to apply for supports within the Disability Service and how to obtain and submit your evidence of a disability.

If you are having difficulties in college then accessing support is highly encouraged. You are not obliged to disclose your disability, but the option will always be available to you. for more information on disclosure click on this link.

If you are applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service, people may not necessarily know. Therefore, it is up to you to disclose with those people who you feel may benefit from the information. Alternatively, you can discuss disclosure in more detail with your Disability Officer. To make an appointment with your Disability Officer, e-mail them directly or contact the Disability Service office. Click this link for a list of contact details.

The Disability Service acts in accordance with the Data Protection Act and therefore all information is confidential and will not be shared without your consent. If you are about to graduate, or if you are transferring to another college and need to have a copy of information from your file, please try to request this before you leave Trinity. The Disability Service can forward information - such as your medical evidence or educational psychologist's report - to another college Disability Service if you request us to do so. Such requests will require you to send us a signed letter or an e-mail that includes the following information:

• your date of birth
• student number
• your current/last address
• your signature
• The name of the College you are transferring to (if applicable).

If you have evidence of a disability - physical, mental, specific learning difficulty, or otherwise - you are very welcome to apply for support with the Disability Service and access our various supports. If you are unsure of what qualifies as evidence please consult the Evidence of Disability form.

For information on the supports and services available through the Disability Service please visit the Student Supports section of our website.

Yes! Students suffering with Mental Health issues are encouraged to apply for supports with the Disability Service. There are many supports available for students who face difficulty with a range of Mental Health issues. You can e-mail askds@tcd.ie confidentially with any queries or concerns. For more information and a step-by-step guide on how to apply for supports with the Disability Service click on this link.

You should also contact the Trinity Student Counselling Service. Making an appointment is quick and simple. All you need to do is call them on (01) 8961407 or drop into them on the 3rd Floor of 7-9 South Leinster Street. An appointment will be made for you where you will have a quick consultation to see what you require. They are there to speak to you and support you, whatever your situation. The Student Counselling Service is run by staff members and volunteers and includes referral to supportive therapeutic groups, information on self-help supports within the service, online therapy programmes, or scheduled appointments to engage in further counselling, or in some cases referral to external services. For more information on student counselling click on this link.

Yes! The Disability Service provides support and reasonable accommodations for dyslexic students and staff. Dyslexia / other specific learning difficulty consultations are available to students whose performance in coursework (assignments), and exams is impacting on their progress and performance in college.

It is important to note that the Disability Service does not conduct tests or assessments for Dyslexia. The consultation with a Disability Officer is designed to provide:

1. Discussion around academic and dyslexic type difficulties
2. Exploration of learning styles
3. Information on options for external dyslexia assessment
4. Introduction and navigation to available Assistive technologies and human resources

If your Tutor is concerned that underlying difficulties may be impeding your performance, they should refer you for a consultation with the Disability Service by completing the Tutor referral form for Dyslexia (88kb) . Tutors must provide information relating to weaknesses identified in academic performance in coursework and examinations. Please return this form to our office or by e-mail to askds@tcd.ie and we will make an appointment for you to consult with a Disability Officer.

The Disability Service will provide a Dyslexia Consultation including suitable advice on external assessment for students who wish to pursue a full psycho-educational assessment from an educational psychologist, which is required in order to apply for supports and avail of supports from the Disability Service.

A list of applied for reasonable accommodations psychologists is also provided by the Psychological Society of Ireland.

For more information about Dyslexia click on this link.

Trinity College Dublin offers various supports and reasonable accommodations to encourage sustainable growth and learning. For more information about the Disability Service and the type of supports available click on this link.

After applying for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service, a Disability Officer will work closely with you to ensure that you have access to the services that best suit your needs. In so doing, the Disability Service can tailor the supports and accommodations to fit each individual. For more information about the Disability Service and the type of supports available click on this link.

As every student with a disability has different needs, exam accommodations are based on the impact of a disability on each individual student. In order to determine individual students' needs, the Disability Service carries out a Needs Assessment in order to determine if exam accommodations are required. Exam accommodations can include the use of a PC, the use of a low-distraction venue, the use of an individual venue, and the use of an exam scribe. For more information about exam accommodations click on this link.

DARE (Disability Access Route to Education), is aimed at school-leavers with a disability under the age of 23 as of 1st January of year of entry, who have suffered educationally due to their disability. It is an alternative admission scheme to third level education whereby DARE offers third level places on reduced points to school leavers. Places are offered to applicants whose disability negatively impacted their education, and who can present with an Irish Leaving Certificate, A-Levels, or other EU qualification. Student with significant ant support needs such as personal assistance or an ISL interpreter are encouraged to make contact with us as soon as possible so suitable supports will be in place in good time for your studies.

For more information, and for all queries relating to DARE click on this link.

The Trinity Disability Service can assist with any DARE queries email dare@tcd.ie

In the first instance, all queries related to DARE should be addressed to the DARE website. for more information on this topic for more information on this topic click on this link to visit the Forms, Guides, and Resources page of the DARE website. The Trinity Disability Service cannot assist with any DARE queries.

All Language and Mathematics waiver queries should be directed to the Academic Registry Office in TCD. You will need to supply details regarding any previous application and evidence of disability.

To contact the Academic Registry call (01) 896 1656 / (01) 896 4500, or e-mail academic.registry@tcd.ie.

HEAR (Higher Education Access Route), is aimed at school-leavers with a disability under the age of 23 as of 1st January, on year of entry to university, whose education has suffered due to their socioeconomic disadvantaged background. It is an alternative admission scheme to third level education whereby HEAR offers places on reduced points to school leavers.

Places are offered to those applicants who come from socioeconomic groups in Irish society that are underrepresented in third level, and who can present with an Irish Leaving Certificate, A-Levels, or other EU qualification.

For more information, and for all queries relating to HEAR click on this link.

If you are offered a place in Trinity via the DARE or HEAR scheme you must apply for supports with the Disability Service by following the guide at this link.

The Disability Service will then contact you in relation to a Needs Assessment.

Trinity is a highly accessible campus and all student union events aim to be 100% accessible. To check the physical accessibility of specific buildings and to view our accessibility map click on this link.

The Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan is advisable for students with a physical, medical, or sensory disability where mobility is affected in navigating the many buildings of Trinity College. This will be identified in the Needs Assessment process carried out by the Disability Service. In conjunction with the College Safety Officer and the building owners in which the student is studying, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan will be put in place.

If you have a physical, medical, or sensory disability that affects your mobility or may affect your mobility in an emergency situation, it is advisable to consider putting a personal emergency evacuation plan in place. A personal Evac leaflet. pdf (1.5MB)

To clarify any issues or concerns you may have in relation to safe evacuation, please contact a member of the Disability Service staff. An individual Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan will fit into the overall emergency plan for Trinity. For more information on a PEEP click on this link.

• Estates and Facilities notify the Disability Service of lift failures
• The Disability Service informs wheelchair users via email
• The onus is on students to check their timetables and if impacted to contact their school/department
• Where possible, schools/departments should move the lecture to an accessible venue
• If this is not possible, they should consider postponing the lecture or offering the student an alternative  

Please note: During a lift failure, staff, students and visitors who use wheelchairs or scooters are advised not to access or attempt to access upper floors unless they can do so safely and fully independently.

If you would like to get involved with the Disability Service, you can send us a message on social media.

Also, check out the Ability co_op and student stories by visiting our website https://trinityabilitycoop.com

The Disability Service hosts dozens of events throughout the year and we are always happy to see new faces on our team. We would love to hear from you!

The Disability Service Ability co_op is a group of students with disabilities that represent and showcase Trinity College Dublin Disability Service to prospective students. The Ability co_op students share their stories and experiences of college life giving them a real picture of what Trinity has to offer. For more information on how to become involved in the Ability co_op click here.

The Disability Service will host an Orientation Programme for new undergraduate students with disabilities annually. The Orientation is great opportunity for new students to hear about supports that are provided by the Disability Service and to hear about university life at Trinity.

For more information on Transition and Orientation events click on this link.

Trinity College is unique in that we offer a confidential Occupational Therapy support for students who may be experiencing mental health difficulties, physical, sensory, or chronic health disabilities. Occupational Therapy runs in collaboration with Trinity Disability Service. All staff members in the Disability Service are qualified occupational therapists and are bound by the Code of Practice of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland.

The aim of the Occupational Therapy is to enable the student to develop practical skills and strategies to help them in their role as a student both academically and socially. Occupational Therapy is a student-centered support. This means that the sessions are guided by what the student needs and wants to do. Additionally, it is up to the student whether or not they wish to avail of Occupational Therapy. Occupational Therapy is available on a one-to-one basis throughout the students’ college career. For more information on the Occupational Therapy service click on this link.

If you would like to make an application to be considered for student accommodation on grounds of disability you must complete the online application form before the deadline. To apply online for student accommodation click on this link. You must also apply for supports with the Disability Service to arrange a needs assessment for accommodation.

A needs assessment for accommodation will take into account the following criteria when prioritising applications for accommodation:

1. The nature and impact of disability – as stated by the applicant and documented with appropriate evidence. Priority will be given to applicants with the most significant needs based on mobility, balance, stamina and strength.
2. The nature and impact of the disability on travelling to and from College including transport options and distance to College from home. Priority will be given to applicants with difficulties in accessing public transport and those living furthest from Campus.

Based on the criteria above, the Disability Service team will meet collectively to review all the applications and will make recommendations to the Accommodations Office. For more information on making an application for a room click on this link.

In turn, based on the availability of rooms on campus and the priority given to applications, the Accommodations Office will inform applicants of any room offers. In some cases, applicants may be advised that accommodation in Trinity Hall better suits their individual needs. Trinity has limited accommodation on two main sites: the main Trinity campus and Trinity Halls, located in Dartry. A number of rooms on campus and in Trinity Halls are accessible. Although rooms are not fully supervised, they do have 24 hour security staff and residential wardens on site. The accommodation offered encourages independent living. This can be a lively environment so it may not be suitable for students who need a very quiet living space. Campus accommodation is mostly for final year students or graduate students. Trinity Halls is ideal for first and continuing students, but spaces there are also limited.

The main function of Assistive Technology (AT) is to provide helpful information and support on how you can get the best use out of technology by adapting it to your study needs. AT is defined as "any use of technology which helps you perform a task more easily". AT is a broad field ranging from the use of very simple technology, such as your mobile phone e-mail, to the very complex, such as use of voice recognition software or technology that reads information from your computer screen for you. For more information on Assistive Technology, including the types of technology on offer and how you can book an appointment with the assistive technology officer click on this link.

If you wish to make an appointment with our AT officer, Andrew Costello, please e-mail him at acostel@tcd.ie .

Every student with a disability has different needs. A Needs Assessment is carried out during the first meeting with the Disability Officer to best tailor the support to suit the student. Supports are recorded in a Learning Education Needs Summary (LENS). The LENS helps determine the level of support required by the student. For more information about LENS reports click on this link.

Students may additionally decide that academic staff in their School of study should receive a copy of their LENS - this can include teaching staff, Disability Service personnel, college Tutor - to help them provide necessary support. Students discuss the content of the LENS during the Needs Assessment meeting. Students may, of course, choose not to disclose a disability to college staff, although the Disability Service always advises you to do so. During your Needs Assessment your Disability Officer will explain the different levels of disclosure that are available to you. If you are provided with exam accommodations, the Exams Office and academic teaching staff on your degree programme will be aware of your accommodations. In this case, complete anonymity is not possible.

A reasonable accommodation might be any action that helps alleviate a substantial disadvantage. Making a reasonable accommodation might involve changing procedures, modifying the delivery of the course taken, or providing additional services such as exam arrangements, materials in large print, or altering the physical environment. Reasonable and appropriate accommodations and other such supports are determined on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the individual's certified disability/specific learning difficulty. For more information, on reasonable accommodations click on this link.

Much of the study-related support for Irish students with a disability is financed through the European Social Fund (ESF) Student with Disability Fund. Trinity receives a per capita allocation based on the number of students who are applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service and are seeking supports. The National Access Office in the Higher Education Authority (HEA), administers applications and decides who is eligible for funding under this scheme.

You will need to contact the Graduate Studies Office located in the Academic Registry for information relating to fees. To contact the Graduate Studies Office please click on this link.

Further information on financial assistance can be found by clicking on this link.

Disability Allowance is paid by the Irish government. To apply for this allowance, and for more information on Disability Allowance click on this link.

Detailed information on Social Welfare entitlements is available from Citizens Information. Citizens Information provides information on public services and entitlements in Ireland.

Along with supports designed for individual student needs, the Disability Service provides a number of other supports. These are as follows:

• Special Library Loan facility
• Respite Room
• Alternative Formatting credit

Special Library Loans facility:

Students who applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service may be entitled to Special Borrowing Privileges in the library. Undergraduate and Diploma students with Special Borrowing Privileges are entitled to borrow up to eight books.

"Library Assistants" may be available to help students who find it challenging to search, retrieve, borrow, return and photocopy materials from the Library. You can discuss this type of support with your Disability Officer.

Alternative Formatting: Sometimes students cannot access print materials and need resources in an alternative format (e.g., audio access, large print, Braille).
Trinity acquires or creates materials in these formats for students. For more information, on the alt format within the library click on this link.

For more information about the Special Library Loans, facility click on this link

Respite Room:

The Disability Service provides a respite room for the benefit of students who applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service who require a respite space. The respite space is a quiet rest area within the college where students can take time out during the day to rest and recuperate. The room is provided only to students who applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service and will benefit students who experience fatigue, pain or discomfort as a result of their disability. For more information about the Respite Room, click on this link. Bookings can be made through the online calendar located here.

Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing may require additional support in order to complete their studies. These can take various forms depending on your individual requirements. To avail of supports, apply for supports with the Disability Service and meet with your assigned Disability Officer to discuss the supports available to you.

For more information on Deaf Supports click on this link.

An Educational Support Worker (ESW), provides individual specific support to students with disabilities to ensure they have equitable access to their learning experience and help them to fulfil their academic potential. The Needs Assessment process will determine what supports are required and students will agree these supports in advance of any intervention.

The Disability Service maintains a apply for supports of Educational Support Workers (ESWs). This is a list of people who are available to work a few hours each week when required. Examples of Educational Support Work includes: Sign Language Interpreters, Library Assistants and Educational /Academic Assistants for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students. For more information about working as an ESW, including job descriptions and rates of pay click on this link.

Please note that it is a Trinity College requirement to be fully Garda Vetted prior to commencing work as an ESW. For more information on the Garda Vetting process click on this link.

• European Social Fund, Fund for Students with Disabilities
• Welfare
• Grant Application

On all professional courses in Trinity, students are required to complete a series of work placements. On these placements you will be required to work with professionals and carry out duties in a work-place setting associated with your course. These placements provide you with a fantastic opportunity to develop skills and knowledge and make professional links for the future. These kinds of experiences also offer the chance to explore how your disability may impact on you in the workplace, and to develop strategies for managing any difficulties you may encounter. In order to support you in managing placements, the Disability Service offer placement planning meetings to identify any reasonable accommodations you may need while on placement. These meetings also offer an opportunity to explore the disclosure of your disability to relevant persons you will be working with.

For more information on professional placement planning click on this link.

The Disability Service have also developed a ‘Guide for Students with Disabilities on Professional Placement’. Guide for Students with Disabilities on Placement.pdf (2.1 MB)

For information relating to disclosure in the workplace click on this link.

For more information on planning your career click on this link.

Students who have applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service that are applying for the Erasmus programme should contact their Disability Officer to discuss how best to prepare for Erasmus, including disclosure of a disability to your host university and seeking reasonable accommodations while abroad. This is best done as soon as possible after application and no later than the end of the 3rd week of June.  

For further information about the Trinity Erasmus programme and details of how to apply, for more information on this topic click on this link.

The Erasmus programme may allocate additional funding to help support students with a disability who wish to take part in an ERASMUS+ exchange, and who might otherwise be prevented from doing so.

Students should e-mail erasmus@tcd.ie for further details and application forms. For more information on Erasmus Support click on this link.

If you would like to get in touch with the Disability Service, please e-mail askds@tcd.ie, or visit the Disability Service contact page by clicking on this link.

For information on the procedure for the provision of ISL interpretation, please visit the Equality website here.

Students who think they may have a specific learning difficulty:

Dyslexia / specific learning difficulty screenings are available to students whose performance in coursework (assignments), and examinations is impacting on their progress and performance in university. In such cases, students should be advised in writing - via their TCD e-mail account - to complete a Dyslexia consultation. The final step requires Tutors to complete a ds8.3-dyslexia-consultation.docx (0.1 MB), which should be returned to the Disability Service by e-mail to askds@tcd.ie.

Students who disclose a disability:

Students who disclose a disability to staff and who are seeking guidance and support should be informed in writing - via their TCD e-mail account - that they are advised to apply for supports with the Disability Service as soon as possible. The 12 steps of the DS application are explained in detail here.

Students on professional courses who disclose a disability but are reluctant to apply for supports with the Disability Service:

Students on professional courses who disclose a disability but who are not applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service may present a risk if they are not advised of the consequences of choosing not to disclose. This is because students who do not disclose a disability cannot avail of reasonable accommodations and cannot claim that they have being discriminated against (on grounds of disability). After discussion with their Tutor, students should be informed in writing - via their TCD e-mail address - that they are advised to apply for supports with the Disability Service as soon as possible.

Students should also be directed to the 'Guide for Students with Disabilities on Professional Placement' which encourages all parties involved to work together to ensure that students with disabilities have a good work placement experience.

Although this is at the discretion of the lecturer, the Disability Service encourages Departments/Schools to make copies of lecture notes available online via Blackboard. This is extremely beneficial for all students, not just those with note taking difficulties.

Some students may 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 lecture notes. Students can then call into the office to collect such material on a weekly basis. An alternative to this is to e-mail copies of notes to the student in advance of the lecture, which again avoids any need for direct contact with the student during the lecture.

Where the request for lecture notes has been made and it is not possible to provide such support, it is imperative that lecturers contact the Disability Service immediately. This will enable the Disability Service to discuss alternative support with the student. This can include provision of a note taker, or use of audio recording equipment.

For more information for teaching and professional staff, click on this link.

“Students may not make audio or visual recordings of lectures without the express consent of the individual lecturer. Students with disabilities may be permitted to record lectures if it is deemed a reasonable accommodation by the Disability Service. Students will be advised that all recordings remain the property of College and are for personal use only. See also Data Protection section and Copyright section.” Trinity College Calendar - General Regulations and Information.

If a student requires a note taker accompany them to class this Reasonable Accommodation will be detailed in their LENS report. Some students may choose not to sit beside their note taker and as such, the note taker may not be immediately identifiable. 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 class for reasons related to their disability. Note takers are asked to report to the Disability Service if a student habitually fails to attend their lectures/classes.

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 of timetables and accessible venues. If a student requires an accessible venue, this will be detailed in their LENS report.

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. A accessible room checker is available on the TCD website by clicking on this link.

Sometimes students require flexibility with deadlines due to difficulties created by their specific disability. The rationale for why this is necessary is detailed in the student's LENS report.

There is no specific policy or guideline as to how much time is deemed "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.

Students are informed by the Disability Service that if they require any extensions they need to contact either their School Academic Liaison Officer or an appropriate member of staff prior to the existing deadline. For a list of Academic Liaison Officers for each Department/School, click on this link.

Students are made aware that they are not in receipt of a blanket extension for the academic year and that this is a form of support not to be abused.

In accordance with Trinity's ongoing commitment to provide Reasonable Accommodations to students with disabilities, the following changes have been introduced:

Disclosure of disability stickers: Students with reading, writing, and/or spelling difficulties such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, or students who are deaf or have a significant hearing difficulty, have the option to formally disclose their disability on their exam scripts. A list of students who have requested this accommodation is sent to the Examinations Office each year. The Examinations Office provide invigilators with the stickers and instructions to apply the appropriate sticker to the exam scripts. This sticker is only available in exam situations. A disability sticker is not available for essays and other forms of continuous assessments.

For more information about Exam Accommodation click on this link.

Disability Officers cannot possibly know everything about every course run in Trinity. 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.

To view contact details for the Disability Service click on this link.

For details of designated Academic Liaison Officers for each School/Department click on this link.

The Trinity College Equality Policy serves to "promote equality in all aspects of the College’s activity: employment, education and service provision; and to detail how this policy will be implemented."

The policy states that "the College aims to provide an inclusive environment which promotes equality and values diversity – and is committed to maintaining an environment of dignity and respect where all staff and students can develop their full potential. The concept of equality is central to the College’s ethos of academic and service excellence. Trinity College Dublin is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the continued development of employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or membership of the Travelling community."

Trinity has adopted a code of practice, which is applicable to all students with disabilities studying in Trinity. This is in accordance with the Disability Act 2005, the Equal Status Acts 2000 (as amended), and the University Act 1997. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for supports with the Disability Service to seek supports where the disability could affect their ability to participate fully in all aspects of the course.

The Student with Disability Code of Practice form is intended to provide a model for a high standard of service to students with disabilities. Trinity 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.

For more information on the Trinity Equality Policy click on this link.

For more information on Staff supports, please visit the HR website by clicking on this link.

There are two main sources of funds for students with disabilities:

1. Social Welfare Benefits
2. European Social Fund

1. Social Welfare Benefits include:

• Disability Allowance
• Back to Education Allowance
• Supplementary Benefits

For more information, visit the Social Welfare website.

2. European Social Fund for Student with Disability:

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, 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 options. For more information on all funding available to students in higher education, click on this link. This is a user friendly, comprehensive website that will help students and their families navigate through financial support systems.

A Fitness to Practice Policy for Trinity was adopted by the Board in May 2009.

To read the full Fitness to Practice policy click on this link.

For information on the procedure for the provision of ISL interpretation, please visit the Equality website here.

Equitable access to courses, services, activities and facilities throughout Trinity.

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or additional services determined by a needs assessment and in accordance with the individual's certified disability/specific learning difficulty.

A report of my reasonable accommodations, called a LENS(Learning Educational Needs report) - you can access your LENS here.

Request a change of Disability Service staff contact person without being asked the reason for your decision.

Request a review of your reasonable accommodation.

Appropriate confidentiality of disability records (files) and that disclosure of information will only happen with the student's written consent.

Information reasonably available in accessible formats.

Be treated with dignity and respect.

Any student can request a change of Disability Service staff contact person without being asked for the reason for their decision. You can make this application to the Director of the Disability Service in confidence by emailing, Declan Treanor dtreanor@tcd.ie. If you want to request a change from the Director's case load email the Director of Student Services, Breda Walls breda.walls@tcd.ie.

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.

Queries should be directed to Trinity's Academic Registry. You can contact the Academic Registry by emailing academic.registry@tcd.ie. You can also call the Academic registry at 01 896 4500.  Please note that at peak periods responses may be delayed. 

Information for applicants who are applying with a disability can be found on the Alternative Paths to Trinity webpage under the 'Applicants with a Disability' section: https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/alternative-paths-to-trinity/

For information on admission to Trinity please visit: https://www.tcd.ie/study/ Information for applicants who are applying with a disability can be found on the Alternative Paths to Trinity webpage under the 'Applicants with a Disability' section: https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/alternative-paths-to-trinity/

https://www.tcd.ie/disability/current/RAApplication.php If you have accepted a place in Trinity via the DARE scheme it is a condition of your DARE offer that you apply for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service. The application process is outlined at:

The ‘My Disability Service’ tab in your my.tcd.ie student portal will not become available until you are fully registered with Trinity and you have paid all of your fees. For information on how to register with Trinity, and how to pay your fees, please visit: https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/register/

All queries relating to admissions, CAO points etc., should be directed to Trinity’s Academic Registry.  You can contact the Academic Registry by emailing academic.registry@tcd.ie (be sure to use key words in the subject-line such as ‘admissions’ ‘DARE scheme’ etc. and quote your CAO Application Number). You can also call the Academic registry at 01 896 4500.  Please note that at peak periods responses may be delayed.

When students accept their place at Trinity and have fully registered for their course they can apply for Disability Service supports online through their my.tcd.ie student portal. For full details on how to apply please visit: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/current/RAApplication.php 

The ‘Disability Service’ tab in your my.tcd.ie student portal will not become available until you are fully registered with Trinity and have paid all of your fees. For information on how to register with Trinity, and how to pay your fees, please visit the registration webpage: https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/register/

Once you have completed your Application for Reasonable Accommodations with the Disability Service, you will be contacted by a Disability Officer to meet for a needs assessment. Students can also check out the supports and resources available for students on our website: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/support-and-resources/

We also provide a DS Solutions Drop-In service for general student queries at the Disability Service Office in Printing House Square. A member of the Disability Service team will be available to assist with your query from 12 noon - 2pm Monday - Friday during term time. 

The Drop-In Service is not an alternative to a Needs Assessment or a scheduled meeting with a Disability Officer, but we will be able to answer general queries and provide quick information on a range of issues.

If your son/daughter is contemplating coming to study at Trinity College Dublin there are four important things they should do.

1. Attend the Trinity Open Day: https://www.tcd.ie/openday/
2. Research Trinity Courses: https://www.tcd.ie/study/
3. Explore the supports available through the Trinity Disability Service: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/
4. Investigate the Disability Access Route to Education: https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/alternative-paths-to-trinity/

You must have registered on your chosen course before you can apply for Disability Service support. Once you have completed your course registration you may follow the instructions linked below to apply for Reasonable Accommodations with Trinity Disability Service.

To avail of support from the Disability Service you should apply for Reasonable Accommodations, online, through your my.tcd.ie student portal. Instructions on how to complete an application are available via the Disability website at: Application for reasonable accommodations guide

Please note that you will be asked to upload evidence of disability as part of the application process.

Once your application has been processed, a Disability Officer will meet with you for a needs assessment and discuss supports relevant to your individual needs.

When students accept their place at Trinity and have fully registered with the College they apply for support from the Disability Service, online, by following the 12 easy steps that can be found on the Application for Reasonable Accommodations webpage: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/current/RAApplication.php

The ‘My Disability Service’ tab in your my.tcd.ie student portal will not become available until you have fully registered as a Trinity student and have paid your fees in full. For information on how to register with Trinity, and how to pay your fees, please visit the registration webpage: https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/register/

Once you have completed your Application for Reasonable Accommodations, you will be contacted by a Disability Officer to meet for a needs assessment. Students can also check out the supports and resources available for students on the Disability Service website: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/

We also provide a DS Solutions Drop-in service for general student queries either online or in-person at the Disability Service Office. A member of the Disability Service team will be available to assist with your query from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Friday during term time. The Drop-in Service is not an alternative to a Needs Assessment or a scheduled meeting with a Disability Officer, but we will be able to answer general queries and provide quick information on a range of issues.

• How can I make my course inclusive of students with disabilities?
• How do I add extra time to a blackboard exam, quiz or MCQ?
• What is Trinity's policy on supporting students and staff with disabilities?
• Is there a policy relating to Fitness to Practice?
• How can I make my course inclusive of students with disabilities?
• How can I help students who disclose a disability, or who think they may have a disability?
• How do the Disability Service communicate disability support needs to the course/ lecturer?
• What is the role of the student in ensuring they are fully supported and participating in what is recommended in their LENS?
• What if the recommended support does not suit the course of study?
• Who is responsible for arranging accessible venues for students with disabilities? 
• What is the role of the note taker and should they attend a class if the student is not present?
• How much of an extension should be given to students who have "flexibility with deadlines"?
• How do I mark the work of students with reading, writing, or spelling difficulties?
• What financial assistance is available for students with disabilities?
• Who do I contact in the Disability Service?
• What is the procedure for the provision of ISL interpretation?

The DS liaises with the Examinations Office in relation to reasonable accommodations in formal semester examinations. However, with respect to in-class assessments or examinations not organised via the Examinations Office, the DS specifically requests in the LENS or by the email sent to the student that Schools and Departments should apply reasonable accommodations for such assessments. 

Therefore, prior to setting dates / venues for in-class assessment, the following steps should be taken by academic staff:

• Identify students registered with the Disability Service
• Identify the reasonable accommodations required which are specified in the LENS
• Where necessary, contact the Disability Service for advice on providing stated reasonable accommodations.
• Student responsibilities for departmental assessments/course tests

Students are required to initiate contact with the School/Department and request reasonable accommodations as per your LENS report, or email received following you needs assessment for particular assessments for School/ Department administered assessment.  You are advised to make contact at least two weeks prior to the assessment date to enable adjustments to be implemented.

You should contact:

• The administrator/executive officer or Lecturer for module being assessed. When making contact with the Administrator/Executive Officer or academic to discuss your needs, you should bring a copy of your LENS report, or the Exam accommodation email sent to you by the DS.  This enables academics and Administrator/Executive Officer to ensure that exam accommodations are current and that you have a validated basis for requesting in-house accommodations. 
• The Administrator/Executive Officer will arrange for the appropriate exam accommodations to be put in place including organising the venue as well as notifying you and the relevant academic staff of the arrangements. 

Ensure you have completed the steps outlined on our Applying for Reasonable Accommodations webpage. 

If you continue to have issues, please attend our drop-in hour from 1pm-2pm in the disAbility Hub, Printing House Square.

The Towards Inclusive Clubs and Society project aims to support the development of inclusive clubs and societies in Trinity. The Trinity Ability Co_op was funded by the Trinity Trust to create a checklist, guidelines and video resources that will provide societies and clubs with solutions to common barriers to inclusion. Find out more information on this project click here.

The Disability Service can provide you with copies of your documentation - such as your medical evidence or educational psychologist's report - if you request us to do so. Such requests will require you to send us a signed letter or an e-mail that includes the following information: your date of birth, student number, your current/last address, your TCD student number and TCD email address.

Please note, as a safeguard against unauthorised communication, we will only send documentation to TCD email addresses.

The Disability Service will be running information session  on assistive technology academic support tools if you feel you need this support or need me to go back over your use of these tools to date,.

All such sessions are promoted via the disability services calandar of events listed on the main homepage at https://www.tcd.ie/disability/  

This session will introduce several easy-to-use technologies to enable you to have the text read back to you and grammar checking tools. 

For more information on these tools, please view https://www.tcd.ie/disability/services/assistive-tech/

General advice about changing course should be discussed initially with your tutor.

During your needs assessment meeting with your disability officer, they will explain the different levels of disability disclosure and raise your awareness of the importance of sensitive data. The Trinity Consent to Disclose and Share Disability Information form will be explained and all students are required at registration to complete this form.

For example, if you are provided with examination accommodations the Exams Office and academic staff teaching on your degree programme will be aware of your exam accommodations, so complete anonymity is not possible.

All students registering for support with the Disability Service have a Learning Educational Needs Summary (LENS). The information in the LENS report is made available to the relevant staff within the University (i.e. teaching staff, Disability Service personnel, your Tutor) to help them also provide assistance.

All Trinity students who have applied for reasonable accommodations are eligible to rent a locker. A Trinity locker can be purchased online using yout TCard. Just login to your Tcard account here: https://tcard.tcd.ie

Lockers will be offered on a first come - first served basis for a period of nine months commencing mid September until mid June of the following year. A rental fee of €20 applies. You pay using a credit or debit card, not your TCard balance.

For further information on the online process on how to reserve a locker please visit: https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/undergraduates/lockers.php

The Disability Service has a number of lockers reserved for students with disabilities at the following location:

Arts Building, Level 3
Trinity Biomedical Science Building
Hamilton Building
Lloyd Building
School of Nursing, D'Olier Street

If a student is recommended a locker as part of their disability needs assessment, the following procedure will apply:

If after purchasing a locker via the online system the student finds that they need to change their locker, the student emails estatesandfacilities@tcd.ie and their Disability Officer to request a change of locker. This is only in cases where a locker was recommended as part of the disability needs assessment. Estates and Facilities will email the student with a new locker and provide all details by email.

Trinity provides four respite rooms: one in the Arts Building managed by the Disability Service; one in College Health; one in Trinity Sports Centre; and one in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI). These spaces are available to students that have applied for reasonable accommodation with the Disability Service and require a respite space during the academic year.

Respite spaces are quiet areas in Trinity where students can take time out during the day to rest and recuperate. They benefit students who experience fatigue, pain, or discomfort as a result of their disability. The respite room in the Arts Building, Room 2032, and the College Health respite room are managed by the Disability Service and is provided to students who have applied for supports with the service. Access is student card only and a booking is require in advance of use. Access is granted by referral by your Disability Officer.

Bookings for Room 2032 can be made here: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/DisabilityServiceRespiteSpace@TCDUD.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

Bookings for the College Health room can be made here: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/RespiteRoomCollegehealth@TCDUD.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

Students are limited to 1 booking per day to ensure availability to other students. For further information please contact your Disability Officer.

The School of Nursing also have a newly refurbished Parenting Room in D’Olier Street available to any staff member or student.  There is no booking system for this room but you should contact reception (01 896 2692) to check if the room is in use in advance of your visit.

The Trinity Ability Co-Op is a collaborative initiative between students, staff and other stakeholders at Trinity. The Co-Op is led by a group of students working together on projects and activities to improve inclusion and accessibility for students with disabilities. For more information on the Ability Co-Op and their work, please see https://trinityabilitycoop.com/ .

Queries about the Ability Co-Op can be sent to abilitycoop@gmail.com.

Attendance at lectures, tutorials, labs and other teaching and learning activities is a requirement for all students as per Trinity regulations.

However, where a student is unable to attend due to their disability (for example, students with mental health difficulties who have applied for reasonable accommodation with the Disability Service who are unable to participate in small group tutorials for a period of time), they should not be penalised or be required to provide additional medical documentation for non-attendance.

All Schools within the University accept that students may require additional time to complete some aspects of their coursework arising from their disability.

The reasons may include a period of illness for someone with a fluctuating medical condition or difficulties completing a high level of reading within a standard timeframe for students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

The individual needs of each student are considered alongside specific course requirements, meaning the length of an extension may vary. Flexibility of assessment deadlines is normally granted for a limited duration and/ or for specific circumstances. 

Repeated or ongoing requests for flexibility shall be reviewed by the relevant Director of Teaching and Learning and will be subject to consideration and approval by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies or Dean of Graduate Studies, as appropriate.

Students with disabilities may be permitted to record lectures and tutorials if as part of the Needs Assessment it is deemed a reasonable adjustment by the Disability Service.

Students are advised that all recordings remain the property of the University and are for personal use only. Please note this permission needs to be agreed by you and your Disability Officer in your LENS and there is a specific Permissions Form to complete before you can proceed to record lectures.

For full details see the link here: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/teaching-info/RA-Policy/reasonable-accommodations.php#recordlec 

Standard Reasonable Accommodations in Teaching and Learning Situations are listed on the Disability Service website: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/teaching-info/RA-Policy/reasonable-accommodations.php

All academic staff and organisers of departmental examinations are responsible for ensuring they reasonably accommodate students with disabilities as outlined in the LENS report disseminated to them in SITS.

Specialist Academic Support is available in Trinity for 14 hours per week to provide specialist academic support on a one to one basis. Referral for academic support to is via your Disability Officer.  https://www.tcd.ie/disability/services/academic-support.php

Students registered with the Disability Service may be entitled to Special Borrowing Privileges in the library. Undergraduate and Diploma students with Special Borrowing Privileges are entitled to borrow up to eight books. 

"Library Assistants" may be available to help students who find it challenging to search, retrieve, borrow, return and photocopy materials from the Library. You can discuss this type of support with your Disability Officer.

Alternative Formatting: Sometimes students cannot access print materials and need resources in an alternative format (e.g., audio access, large print, Braille).

Trinity acquires or creates materials in these formats for students. 

For more information on the alt format within the library

The Disability Service (DS) have prepared the Disability Service Guide for Disability Liaison Officers & Tutors which provides useful advice and resources related to students with disabilities registered with the service.

This includes changes introduced as a result of the Reasonable Accommodations Policy and its implementation for students in Schools.

Our Information for Academics and Tutors is available at http://www.tcd.ie/disability/teaching-info/info-alo.php and an updated list of DLO School contacts is available at http://www.tcd.ie/disability/teaching-info/dlo-contacts.php.

The FAQ section is also a useful guide on all things disability in Trinity.

The Disability Service (DS) have prepared the Disability Service Guide for Disability Liaison Officers & Tutors which provides useful advice and resources related to students with disabilities registered with the service.

This includes changes introduced as a result of the Reasonable Accommodations Policy and its implementation for students in Schools. Our Information for Academics and Tutors is available at http://www.tcd.ie/disability/teaching-info/info-alo.php and an updated list of DLO School contacts is available at http://www.tcd.ie/disability/teaching-info/dlo-contacts.php.

The FAQ section is also a useful guide on all things disability in Trinity. The DS has assigned a member of the team to each School/Department and we will be in contact with you throughout the course of the year. We look forward to working with you during this academic year.

All Disability Service staff are contactable via phone, email or by online calendar booking. Please see the details for each staff member here:  https://www.tcd.ie/disability/contact/   

You can also email askds@tcd.ie or call to our DS Solutions Drop-in located at Printing House Square Monday to Friday between the hours of 12 noon to 2pm.

You can query your Lens via SITS when you are first sent your Lens by your Disability Officer. You can also email your Disability Officer or book an appointment with them to ask a question or to discuss your Lens after it has been approved. If you don't know who your Disability Officer is or can't contact them, please email askds@tcd.ie or call to our DS Solutions Drop-in located at Printing House Square Monday to Friday between the hours of 12 noon to 2pm.

Following the Needs Assessment, the student’s Disability Officer prepares an Individual Learning Educational Needs Summary (LENS) detailing the Reasonable Accommodations to be implemented.

The information outlined in the LENS is communicated to the relevant School via the student record in SITS. https://www.tcd.ie/disability/current/needs-assessment-process.php#lens

There is a response time of 5 working days built into the Non-standard Reasonable Accommodations policy for both the School and the Senior Lecturer. This means that the longest response time should not exceed 10 working days.

A non standard reasonable accommodation that is declined at the School level is automatically sent to the Senior Lecturer for their approval. This means that the Senior Lecturer can, in certain cases, over rule the School decision. 

However, once the Senior Lecturer agrees with the School's decision to decline the request, then that decision is final and the Non Standard Reasonable Accommodation process is closed. 

In an event where standard Reasonable Accommodations are not sufficient to meet the needs of the student and they cannot undertake the standard teaching, learning, and assessment, the University recognises that schools may need to consider providing alternative non-standard teaching, learning, and assessment methods, while maintaining academic standards.

These are referred to as ‘non-standard Reasonable Accommodations’.

Further details are available here: https://www.tcd.ie/disability/current/non-standard-RA.php