The Disability Support Service aims to promote inclusion, advocacy,and active participation in college life. The service provides equal access to education for IADT students with a range of disabilities and mental health conditions.
Click on the video below to hear our former Student Union Education Officer Rachel Sarsfield Ryan speaking to one of our Disability Officers, Alex MacDonald about our service.
Disability Support Service FAQ
Location
The Disability Support Service is located in the Carriglea Building, Room C006e. As you enter the building through the double doors, turn right and continue down the corridor until you reach the student services suite. The Disability Office is on the left hand side.
How to get in touch
- Appointments can be made by contacting the Disability Officer directly by email or phone, details below.
Frequently Asked Questions for Disability Support Services in IADT
- IADT welcomes applications from all students with a disability. We strive to provide an inclusive education experience for all students.
- Students are strongly advised to register as early in the academic year as possible, but are welcome to attend at any stage during their time in IADT. Early registration is advised in order to get the most benefit out of the supports on offer. In order to register, the student can make an appointment with a Disability Officer (see contact details).
- This is a free and confidential service.
- Please contact the Disability Officer to submit your evidence of disability documentation and to arrange a Needs Assessment. A Needs Assessment will determine the supports or accommodations that will be put in place for you during your time in IADT. Examples of accommodations include a Note-Taker, access to assistive technology or exam accommodations. With the student’s consent, the needs of the student can also be communicated to relevant academic staff.
- Students with disabilities can avail of holistic, one-to-one low intensity academic, social, emotional and daily living skills interventions using a variety of psychological approaches.
- IADT is part of the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme.
In order to register with the Disability Support Service, students will need to provide the Disability Officer with evidence of their disability e.g. Psychiatry Report, Psychology Report, Neurology Report etc.
The Disability Officer will make an application to the Higher Education Authority for the Fund for Students with a Disability on behalf of the student. This fund provides financial support for any accommodations that are implemented e.g. note-takers, assistive technology.
Supports are provided for all students in IADT with a disability, such as:
- Mental Health Conditions
- Physical Impairment
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing
- Blind/Visually Impaired
- Significant Ongoing Illnesses
- Neurological Conditions
- Speech and Language Communication Difficulties
Students who register with the Disability Support Service and provide evidence of diagnosis are entitled to all relevant and applicable accommodations. Students who may be struggling but do not have a diagnosis of a disability are also very welcome to attend the service to avail of 1:1 tailored skills development sessions from the Disability Officer. They will not have access to funded supports such as a Note Taker, Laptop etc.
Supports offered by the Disability Support Service at IADT
The Disability Support Service is informed by research and grounded in Psychology. The service supports students by designing individualised, goal-orientated programmes that target areas the student wishes to improve upon.
Support sessions are open to all students whether or not they are registered with the service.
Support sessions can include:
- Academic: identify learning / working styles, goal setting, time management, mind-mapping and presentations skills.
- Wellness: relaxation strategies, psycho-education in relation to the student’s disability, healthy lifestyles, stress management, mindfulness, self esteem building, independence skills and anger management.
- Social: self- advocacy, building friendships, assertiveness, decision making, resolving conflict and communication skills.
Workshops available to staff and students. Please see notice boards for more information.
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