Disability Specific Policies and Procedures

This Act was enacted on September 1st, 2005, and includes a number of positive action measures designed to advance and underpin participation by people with disabilities in everyday life. In particular, Part 3 of the Act contains a number of obligations specifically related to public bodies, including Trinity College Dublin which are in effect since 31st December 2005.

The objective of Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005 is to ensure that integrated access to public buildings and services is available to people with and without disabilities. This means access to the public parts of public buildings, information, and services provided by public bodies. This also includes services provided directly by Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, services purchased and provided on our behalf, services supplied/provided to us, and information provided by Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. These aspects of Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005 (Sections 25,26,27,28 & 29) are in force since 31st December 2005.

In accordance with the Act an Access Officer and two Inquiry Officers have been appointed for Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

, to find the complaint procedure.

Trinity College Access Officer

As legislated for in the Disability Act 2005, the appointed Access Officer for Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, is Mr. Declan Treanor, Director, Trinity Disability Service. He is available to help you with any queries that you might have or assistance you may require in relation to the accessibility of information and services provided by Trinity College Dublin. Declan can be contacted directly by e-mail dtreanor@tcd.ie or by phone (+353) 1 896 3475.

Inquiry Officers

The University has appointed Inquiry Officers to process complaints which disabled students, staff or visitors may have in relation to the services offered by Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. The Inquiry Officer will investigate a complaint and report their findings in writing to both the Provost and the complainant.

• For Students:
  • Ms. Cristina Boccardo, 
    Undergraduate Student Support Officer,
    Senior Tutor’s Office,
    House 27
    Tel: 01 896 1417
    E-mail: ugsupp@tcd.ie
  • Mr. Martin John McAndrew,
    Postgraduate Student Support Officer,
    Senior Tutor’s Office,
    House 27
    Tel: 01 896 1417
    E-mail: pgsupp@tcd.ie

• For Staff and Visitors to Trinity:
  • Ms. Victoria Butler
    Secretary's Office, 
    West Theatre,
    Trinity College Dublin,
    Dublin 2.
    Tel: 01 896 4160
    E-mail: secretary@tcd.ie

Whilst the DS is aware that from time to time parents or guardians may have questions or concerns that they may wish to discuss with staff, it is important to acknowledge that a healthy working partnership between students and Disability Service staff, is based on trust. In the first instance, if you have concerns about your student or his or her progress in Trinity, the best person to discuss this with is your son or daughter. 

Legal obligations

Parents/guardians: Due to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), information about your disability and your support requirements/arrangements will not be shared or discussed with your parents/guardians without your written consent. Please note that even if such consent is provided to share or discuss, parents cannot act, or request changes, on your behalf and that you retain responsibility for engaging with the Disability Service.

Trinity Consent to Disclose and Share Disability Information

A Consent to Confidentiality Waiver will need to be discussed with your Disability Officer and then completed in advance of any meeting taking place.

For more information please read the Disability Service Parent Handbook.

The Disability Service encourage and support research projects related directly to the needs of students with disabilities in Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. In order to ensure that research projects are well founded, ethical and have a clear benefit to the students who participate in them, please read the Trinity Disability Service Research Protocol 2024.

Disabled Involvement: Mandatory meaningful involvement of disabled individuals in the research design, demonstrating emancipatory practices is essential and evidenced in application.