Trinity Disability Service
Student
Handbook
2015–2016
Contents
Welcome .................................................................................................................................... 4
Welcome message from Tara McCormack (Student Union Officer for Students with
Disabilities, 2015-2016) ............................................................................................................. 5
Registering with the Disability Service ..................................................................................... 6
Step 1. On your mytcd.ie web portal, complete the required two questions to
indicate a disability. ................................................................................................................... 7
Step 2. What evidence of my disability do I need to provide to register with the
Disability Service? ...................................................................................................................... 8
Step 3. Call into the Disability Service Office ............................................................................. 8
Step 4. Determining Disability supports in Trinity ..................................................................... 9
Step 5. Needs Assessment meeting ........................................................................................... 9
Step 6. Agree and confirm your Learning Educational Needs Summary report ..................... 10
Supports provided by the Disability Service .......................................................................... 12
Examination Accommodations ................................................................................................ 12
Assistive Technology ................................................................................................................ 13
Unilink Occupational Therapy Service ..................................................................................... 13
Library Supports ....................................................................................................................... 14
Academic Support .................................................................................................................... 14
Professional Placement Planning Support ............................................................................... 15
Career Pathways ...................................................................................................................... 16
Applying for Accommodation (Rooms on Campus & Trinity Halls) ......................................... 16
Funding for supports ................................................................................................................ 18
Communication with your Parents/Guardians ...................................................................... 18
Other useful information ........................................................................................................ 20
Who works in the Disability Service? ....................................................................................... 20
How will I know what type of support I need? ........................................................................ 20
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Does my registration with DS appear on my student record? ................................................ 20
Is there a policy in College for students with disabilities?....................................................... 20
What is an Academic Liaison Officer? ...................................................................................... 21
What is the Disability Service Student Ambassador Programme? .......................................... 21
How do I make contact with the Disability Service?.............................................................. 23
Who works in the Disability Service? ....................................................................................... 23
Other Useful Contacts ............................................................................................................. 24
Notes ........................................................................................................................................ 26
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Welcome
Dear Student,
Congratulations on accepting your place, and welcome to Trinity College Dublin, the
University of Dublin. The Disability Service (DS) is here to support and assist you. We
have developed a clear student-led service that will work with you as you transition
through Trinity and into employment. The ethos of the DS is to move from a
transactional model of provision – where students are passive recipients of supports
– to a transformational model of resource usage, where students take an active part
in planning their educational journey. The supports we offer are designed to enable
you to work through the demands of university and be ready for the world of work.
This handbook aims to give you an overview of the supports and services that we
offer. You should also read the additional information on our website at
www.tcd.ie/disability. Trinity also provides an orientation website which will assist
you in these first few weeks: www.tcd.ie/orientation/.
Wishing you the very best for the years ahead and just remember – there are lots of
people here to help you, should you need it.
Best wishes
Declan Treanor, Director of the Disability Service
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Welcome message from Tara McCormack (Student Union
Officer for Students with Disabilities, 2015-2016)
Hey everyone,
I'm Tara! I'm a Children and General Nursing Student here in Trinity and I work with
the Student Union as Officer for Students with Disabilities. My job is to represent any
students in Trinity with a disability and help you out in any way I can with any issues
you might have. Trinity is an amazing university and I want every student to enjoy
every moment of it. Sometimes students can have problems with their course, with
social issues or personal stuff. Whether its problems with lecturers, sorting out
exams, campus accessibility, or anything else, there's no issue too big or too
small. I'm here to help you as best I can with whatever might cause difficulty, or even
just for a chat. If I can't help you I'll make sure you get the help you need. I am a
student with a disability myself so I know how difficult it can be to talk. I hope as a
fellow student I can offer you an outlet.
If you see me around campus do say hello! My email is mccormta@tcd.ie
Hope you have a brilliant year in Trinity and really hope to see you around.
Tara
Students’ Union
Address: House 6, Trinity College Dublin
Telephone: 00353 1 646 8431
E-mail: welfare@tcdsu.org
Web: http://www.tcdsu.org/
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Registering with the Disability Service
In 2014/15, three hundred and sixty one students registered with the DS. 70% of
these students registered in the first term and 80% required general supports we
offer such as examination accommodations. In 2015/16, to ensure all students get
the supports they require as speedily as possible, the DS will introduce a new system
for registering all students.
Every student is different and will have different requirements in order to manage
their journey through Trinity. The DS reviews information provided at registration
and by other initiatives such as the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)
scheme, and this initially determines the support that will be offered to you.
In order to efficiently register students and arrange supports in a timely manner, the
schedule of appointments begins for students who enter Trinity via DARE (below the
points for the course of their choice) and those most likely to have high support
needs. Appointments for these students are prioritised and appointments will be
made via an email/letter sent to all students once they accept their Trinity course
offer.
All other students (including those entering via DARE with the points for their
accepted course choice) will be invited to an 'Identify your support needs’ group
information session where supports such as examination accommodations will be
discussed and set. Students can request a meeting with a disability officer at any
time and appointments will be scheduled as soon as possible thereafter.
If you are a student that has not entered via the CAO/DARE admissions scheme then
you should follow the registration process below. For those who have availed of the
CAO/DARE admissions scheme, only steps 1, 4, 5 and 6 below apply.
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Step 1. On your mytcd.ie web portal, complete the required two
questions to indicate a disability.
When registering as a student with Trinity via the MyTCD portal, you are required to
complete your personal details and answer the following two questions with regard
to your disability:
Question 1. Do you have a disability?
Answer Yes or No from the dropdown menu. If you tick  yes, you are asked to
indicate which disability you have. You must then select a disability from the
dropdown menu provided.
Question 2. Do you require support from the TCD Disability Service?
Answer by choosing Yes or No from the dropdown menu. By choosing yes, you need
to follow the remaining five steps to complete your registration.
This is a screenshot of the questions you will be asked.
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Step 2. What evidence of my disability do I need to provide to register
with the Disability Service?
Trinity requires evidence of a disability to support the provision of any reasonable
accommodations in university.
If you are a CAO/DARE entrant you will have provided your disability documentation
to the Central Applications Office (CAO) so you do not need to follow step 2, 3 or 4.
Students who do not have evidence of their disability should forward the evidence of
disability form to their medical consultant/specialist to be completed.
Please note that a General Practitioner (GP) letters will not be accepted as suitable
medical evidence.
Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) should provide a copy of
their most recent Educational Psychology report clearly stating that the student has
a Specific Learning Difficulty. This report must contain the age equivalent of
intellectual functioning and reading age, age-related percentile points, or an ‘adult
norm’ in the case of mature students.
For more information on disability evidence required by the Trinity DS please click on
this link to download the booklet
Step 3. Call into the Disability Service Office
Call into the main DS office in room 2054 within the Arts Building with your
evidence. Alternatively you may scan your disability evidence and email a scanned
copy of this evidence from your Trinity email address to disab@tcd.ie.
After evidence has been submitted you will be contacted by a Disability Officer to
arrange your supports and/or an appointment.
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Step 4. Determining Disability supports in Trinity
When students provide their disability evidence the following will happen: Students
who require general supports, such as examination accommodations, will be invited
via email to an ‘identify your support needs session’ where supports will be
discussed and set.
You will be given a copy of the 'Trinity Code of Practice for students with disabilities'
which you will be required to sign at the group session. This Code of Practice is
intended to outline your rights and responsibilities with regard to receiving
reasonable accommodations.
Should you feel you need to discuss your supports with a Disability Officer, you can
request a meeting at any time by emailing askds@tcd.ie. The range of supports
provided by the DS can be viewed by clicking on this link.
Step 5. Needs Assessment meeting
If you require a specific support, a needs assessment will be undertaken during a
one-to-one meeting with a Disability Officer.
To prepare for your meeting with your Disability Officer, you should first read the
Trinity Code of Practice for students with disabilities, which you will be required to
sign at your appointment. This Code of Practice is intended to outline your rights and
responsibilities with regard to receiving reasonable accommodations.
This needs assessment meeting will take about an hour, and will involve:

Checking your personal details
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
Gathering some background information about yourself as a learner

Talking about the demands of your course

Discussing Assistive Technology (AT) supports

Describing DS supports

Examination accommodations

The role of the personal tutor

Answering any questions you might have about Trinity
Whilst the information you provide to us is completely confidential, some of the
supports provided through the DS (such as examination accommodations) require
that we provide some information to academic and administrative areas in Trinity.
Your Disability Officer will explain this to you during your needs assessment
consultation.
Step 6. Agree and confirm your Learning Educational Needs Summary
report
The Learning Educational Needs Summary (LENS) is a report on the supports agreed
in your needs assessment meeting. The information in the LENS report is made
available to the relevant staff within Trinity (i.e. Academic Liaison Officer, teaching
staff, your Tutor) to help them to provide assistance to you were required.
Should your needs or requirements change at any time during your time at Trinity,
please inform your Disability Officer in order that your LENS report may be updated.
Please note that it will NOT be possible to activate any supports until you have
replied and confirmed your acceptance of the LENS. If you feel a change or an
adjustment needs to be made, please inform your Disability Officer. You should also
email a copy of your LENS to your personal Tutor.
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The image above is an example of a LENS report.
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Supports provided by the Disability Service
The DS provides a wide range of supports and you and your Disability Officer will
discuss the supports that you may require during your time at Trinity.
Examination Accommodations
Trinity currently offers a range of facilities at examination time, including: extra time
allowance, rest breaks, alternative examination venues, specialised furniture and
technology aids. You will have an opportunity to discuss these exam
accommodations with your Disability Officer, so assess what will work best for you.
Please note that you need to make exam requests as early as possible in the
academic year and note that the following deadlines apply:

Michaelmas, Foundation Scholarship and early Hilary term
examination sessions: End of week 8, Semester 1

Hilary & Annual examinations: End of week 3, Semester 2

Late Disability Service Registrations for Annual examinations: End of
week 7, Semester 2

Supplemental examinations: End of week 44 (Friday 1st of July 2016),
Semester 2.
A full copy of the Trinity’s guidelines on examination arrangements is also available
on the web, and in alternative formats on request. A summary of student
responsibilities and other important information is available from
http://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/exams/
Please note that once your examination accommodations have been identified and
agreed with your Disability Officer, any queries in relation to your examinations
including venues and timetabling MUST be discussed directly with the Examinations
Office and not through the Disability Service.
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Assistive Technology
The main focus of the Assistive Technology (AT) service is to provide helpful
information/support on how you can get the best use out of technology with regard
to your study needs. To ensure you get the best use out of technology, you may be
given an appointment with the Assistive Technology Officer, Andrew Costello, in the
ATIC space in the Ussher library. At this meeting specific IT supports are discussed.
This 30 minute assessment ensures that the correct technology is available, and that
adequate training is provided. Each assessment will cover:

Previous use of technology.

Satisfaction or difficulties in using technology.

Introduction to a range of loaned technology available based on student
needs.

Ensuring that there is support channels in place if your student is having
difficulty with their new technology.
There are also spaces within Trinity called Assistive Technology Information Centres,
or ATIC for short, which you can use to access assistive technology. The two ATIC
areas on the main campus are located in the BLU Library and the Hamilton library,
and there is also a smaller area on the St. James’ Hospital campus.
For more information on Assistive Technology, please visit the website at:
https://www.tcd.ie/disability/services/assistive-tech/
Unilink Occupational Therapy Service
Trinity offer a confidential occupational therapy service for students who may be
experiencing mental health difficulties, physical and/or sensory disabilities. All staff
members in the 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 Unilink Service is to enable you, the student, to develop practical skills
and strategies to help you academically and socially while you are at Trinity. Unilink
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is a student-centred service. This means that the sessions are guided by what the
student needs and wants to do. Additionally it is up to the student whether they
wish to avail of the service or not.
Unilink is available on a one-to-one basis throughout the student’s university career.
http://www.tcd.ie/disability/services/unilink-service.php
Library Supports
The DS works with the library to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities
are adequately met. Students with a disability registered with the DS may be entitled
to special borrowing privileges and access to material that is normally restricted. In
addition, alterative formats for reading materials can also be provided such as
Braille or audio.
For more information and general advice on using the library see the library
Website and DS podcast:
http://www.tcd.ie/Library/using-library/disabilities.php
http://www.tcd.ie/disability/services/librarysupports.php
Academic Support
Study skills and other supports are provided by Student Learning Development
http://student-learning.tcd.ie/undergraduate/ If you would like to make an
appointment with one of the learning support psychologists please contact the
Counselling Service on (01) 896 1407 to make an appointment. You also have access
to an academic skills module via the online Blackboard module, which can be
accessed from:
http://mymodule.tcd.ie/
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You are also strongly recommended to utilise these resources to assist with reading
techniques, academic writing, referencing and exam revision. Academic support is
also available from our website in the form of leaflets, podcasts, and in mp3 format
and from TCD iTunes or YouTube:
http://www.tcd.ie/disability/services/academic-support.php
http://www.youtube.com/user/DSServiceTCD#p/u
Professional Placement Planning Support
On all professional courses in Trinity, students are required to complete a series of
work placements. Starting placements can be a nerve-wracking experience as you
are required to work with professionals and carry out duties in a work-place setting.
However, placements are also a great experience as they are an opportunity to
practice what you learn in the classroom, develop skills and knowledge and make
professional links for the future. These kind of experiences also offer the chance to
explore how your disability may impact on your experience in the workplace and to
develop strategies for managing difficulties that you may encounter. In order to
support you in managing placements, the DS offer placement planning meetings to
identify any reasonable accommodations you may need on placement, and offer an
opportunity to explore disclosure of your disability to relevant persons you will be
working with. For a full detailed description of the Professional Placement Planning
Process, please visit the website for more details:
http://www.tcd.ie/disability/services/placement-planning.php
The DS have also developed a Guide for Students with Disabilities on professional
placement:
https://www.tcd.ie/disability/assets/doc/pdf/Guide%20for%20Students%20with%20
Disabilities%20on%20Placement.pdf
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Career Pathways
Career Pathways is an individualised transition planning service for students with
disabilities, which aims to support students to build and gather work related
experiences throughout their time in college. It aims to support you in your
preparation for the world of work, explore your career options, enhance awareness
of your needs, and to support you in managing your disability in the workplace. For
more information on Career Pathways visit the website at:
https://www.tcd.ie/disability/career/Pathways/
Applying for Accommodation (Rooms on Campus & Trinity Halls)
Trinity has limited accommodation on two main sites (the main university campus
and Trinity Halls). A number of rooms on campus and Trinity Hall are accessible.
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Rooms are not fully supervised but they do have 24 hour security staff and
residential wardens on site. The accommodation offered encourages independent
living and this can be a lively environment so is not always 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.
If you would like to make a residential accommodation application to be considered
on grounds of disability you must, before the closing date, complete an online
application (web link below) and contact the DS team on 01-896 3111 or by email to
disab@tcd.ie to arrange a needs assessment for accommodation. A needs
assessment for DS supported accommodation requests 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 Trinity including
transport options and distance to the university 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 DS team will meet collectively to review all of the
applications and will make recommendations to the Accommodations Office. 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. Please see full details at:
https://www.tcd.ie/accommodation/StudentsandStaff/Students/ApplyforaRoom/
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Funding for supports
Much of the study-related support for Irish students with a disability is financed
through the European Social Fund (ESF) for Students with Disabilities. Trinity receives
a per capita allocation based on the number of students registering with the DS
seeking supports. The National Access Office in the HEA administers applications and
decides who is eligible for funding under this scheme. For further information on this
fund, please read:
http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7575/fund-for-students-withdisabilities/index.html
Students from outside Ireland will be funded via other sources and it is best to speak
with the DS about this or any funded supports required. For more information please
visit the website: http://www.tcd.ie/disability/prospective/.
Communication with your Parents/Guardians
Whilst the DS is aware that from time to time your 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 you, the student, and the
DS staff, is based on trust. We encourage parents to discuss any concerns they have
with you first and foremost. It is important that you build a communication pathway
between yourself and your parents/guardians. As you are now an adult, we have a
legal obligation to ensure we communicate with you and not your
parents/guardians. If you wish for us to communicate at a certain point with your
parents/guardians, or you would like them to attend a meeting, then you must
follow the procedure outlined below to ensure consent is provided by you.
Procedure for Consent
If your parent or guardian approach any staff in the DS with a request to discuss your
progress as a student, in order to protect your confidentiality, the following steps
apply:
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1. You must complete the Consent to Confidentiality Waiver form and make an
appointment with your Disability Officer or Unilink Occupational Therapist to
discuss consent, in advance of any communication with your parent or
guardian. The DS will not engage in any form of communication unless this
step has been completed.
2. You as a student need to be involved in all communication, and the DS will
ensure that you receive a copy of any written communication, and are
informed of any outcomes from meetings or telephone calls. For example, if
a telephone conversation takes place between a DS staff member and a
parent or guardian, a summary of the phone call will be emailed to all
parties.
3. In the case of a meeting requested by parents or guardians, or yourself,
whereby you wish your parents to attend, you, as the student must attend
this meeting. A note or summary of the meeting will be sent to all parties for
a record.
4. A Consent to Confidentiality Waiver must be completed for every
communication; i.e. each phone call, email or meeting request.
If you have any queries in relation to this, please discuss it with your Disability
Officer.
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Other useful information
Who works in the Disability Service?
The DS is managed by the Director of the Disability Service, Declan Treanor. There
are two full-time Disability Officers, an Assistive Technology Officer, three
Occupational Therapists, and a number of administrative staff within the service.
When you register with the DS you will be assigned a Disability Officer who will assist
you in obtaining the support you require in order to attain your highest academic
potential. For further information on the DS staff, please visit our Biographies page
at: http://www.tcd.ie/disability/contact
How will I know what type of support I need?
The level of support required will differ for all students. You will have an opportunity
to discuss these supports with a Disability Officer during the Needs Assessment
Process. The important point to remember is that if you are having difficulty, to talk
to someone and ask for help!
Does my registration with DS appear on my student record?
You will be asked to indicate a disability on your record in MyTCD, and to also
indicate whether you require supports from the Disability Service (DS). This can only
be seen by staff in the DS and yourself. Your registration with DS and reasonable
accommodations are not noted on your degree certificate.
Is there a policy in College for students with disabilities?
Trinity is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in education and to ensuring
that students with a disability have as complete and equitable an access to all facets
of university life as can be reasonably provided. The DS aims to assist and advise the
Trinity community on issues associated with compliance with laws that relate to
students with disabilities, including: the University Act 1997, the Employment
Equality Act 1998, the Equal Status Acts 2000-2004 and the Disability Act, 2005.
http://www.tcd.ie/about/policies/equality-policy.php
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What is an Academic Liaison Officer?
An Academic Liaison Officer (ALO) acts as a communication route in each
department for issues relating to students with disabilities. They circulate the
Learning Educational Needs Summary reports (LENS) which are reports produced for
students registered with the DS.
Academic Liaison Officers are also responsible for:

Being a first point of information on disability issues within the ALO's school
or department.

Making course directors, course coordinators, year coordinators etc. aware
of students with disabilities and the dissemination of information through the
LENS form.
You can check the name of your ALO by clicking on this link.
What is the Disability Service Student Ambassador Programme?
The DS Student Ambassador Programme is a group of students who act as
Ambassadors for the DS and promote Trinity life and share their experiences of their
university journey. Ambassadors are involved in an array of DS activities including
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orientation programmes, training workshops and activities within the community.
Ambassadors also have access to a series of rolling monthly workshops aimed at
promoting personal growth and leadership skills. You have an opportunity to
become an Ambassador at any point in your student journey and you can contact
your Disability Officer for further information or review the DS website at:
http://www.tcd.ie/disability/current/volunteer.php
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Contacts:
How do I make contact with the Disability Service?
You can call into the main DS office in Room 2054 in the Arts Building, on the
entrance level past the Lecky Library entrance on the left from Monday to Friday
9.00 to 5.30pm. You can also phone the DS on (01) 896 3111 for an appointment, or
text to 086 3442322. You can also e-mail the Service at disab@tcd.ie
Who works in the Disability Service?
Declan Treanor
Disability Service Director
E-mail: dtreanor@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 896 3475
Caroline Morgan
Disability Service Office Manager
E-mail: camorgan@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 896 3971
Declan Reilly
Disability Officer
E-mail: reillyde@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 896 3014
Andrew Costello
Disability Officer and Assistive
Technology Officer.
Email: acostel@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 254 2903
Carol Barry
Executive Officer
E-mail: disab@tcd.ie
Tel: (01) 896 3111
Claire Gleeson
Unilink Snr Occupational Therapist
E-mail: unilink1@tcd.ie
Tel: (085) 7585835
Kieran Lewis
Unilink Snr Occupational Therapist
E-mail: unilink1@tcd.ie
Tel: (087) 274 3879
We update information on our website regularly and put up news on
Facebook, so please add us on Facebook for any breaking news.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Trinity-College-DisabilityService/275203522472?ref=ts
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Other Useful Contacts
Admissions Office
Address: Academic Registry,
Watts Building,
Trinity College Dublin
Telephone: 00353 1 896 4500
E-mail: academic.registry@tcd.ie
Web: https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/admissions/
Fees Office
Address: Academic Registry,
Watts Building,
Trinity College Dublin
Telephone: 00353 1 896 4500
E-mail: academic.registry@tcd.ie
Web: https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/fees-payments/
Student Health Centre
Address: House 47, Trinity College, Dublin 2
Telephone: 00353 1 896 1556
Web: www.tcd.ie/College_Health/
Accommodation Office
Address: Regent House, Trinity College Dublin
Telephone: 00353 1 896 1177
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E-mail: residences@tcd.ie
Web: www.tcd.ie/accommodation/
Senior Tutor’s Office
Address: House 27, Trinity College Dublin
Telephone: 00353 1 896 2551
E-mail: stosec@tcd.ie
Web: www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/
Student Counselling Service
Address: Third Floor,
7-9 South Leinster Street,
Dublin 2
Telephone: 00353 1 896 1407
E-mail: student-counselling@tcd.ie
Web: www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling
Examinations Office
Address: Watts Building,
Trinity College Dublin
Telephone: 00353 1 896 2345 / 3710
E-mail: ASKEXAMS@tcd.ie
Web: https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/exams/
Trinity Students Union
Address: House 6, Trinity College Dublin
Telephone: 00353 1 646 8431
E-mail: frontoffice@tcdsu.org
Web: http://www.tcdsu.org/
Careers Advisory Service
Address: 7-9 South Leinster Street, Dublin 2
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Telephone: 00353 1 896 1721/1705
E-mail: careers@tcd.ie
Web: www.tcd.ie/Careers
Notes
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