Supports for students with a disability
If you are a student who has a disability, mental health condition, a significant on-going illness or a specific learning difficulty, the UCD Access Centre would encourage you to come and register with us. We aim to facilitate students with a disability to become independent learners while fully engaging in college life.
Assistive Technology
The Access Centre has an Assistive Technology Officer who can provide and train students who are registered for disability support with a range of Assistive Technology (AT) tools. If you are a student who is registered with Disability Support and who would like to avail of Assistive Technology, please contact us to make an appointment to see the Assistive Technology Officer.
Some of the most popular AT tools used by UCD students are;
Livescribe Smartpens: A smartpen records everything that you hear and write during your lectures so you never miss out, even if you find it difficult to take notes and listen to the lecturer at the same time. Smartpens allow you to write less and listen more to ensure you get the most out of your lectures.
Read&Write GOLD: Read&Write is a simple toolbar containing support tools to make reading, writing and researching easier. Read&Write is available campus-wide on UCD computers or we can give you a portable version to use wherever suits you best.
Learning Support
The Access Centre has two Learning Support Tutors who can help new students to develop the study skills they need to succeed and become independent learners at University.
Study skills sessions are available throughout the year on topics such as;
· Study skills
· Note-taking
· Academic writing
· Research skills
· Exam preparation
The Access Centre does not provide subject specific support or a proof-reading service.
Academic assistance with Maths and Writing Clinics
Writing Clinics
UCD provides free writing clinics for all students taking subjects in the College of Arts and Celtic Studies. These clinics get very busy coming up to essay deadlines and spaces are limited so take the opportunity to get help early in the semester.
For information on writing clinics, e-mail writing.clinics@ucd.ie.
Maths Support CentreThe Mathematics Support Centre (MSC) offers support in mathematics to students from all programmes in UCD. Support is given through one-to-one and small group tuition on a drop-in basis during opening hours. There is no need to make an appointment in advance.
For more information please visit the MSC website - maths.ucd.ie/mathsupportcentre/ucdwebpage.
Dyslexia Screening at University
Some students do not realise they are dyslexic until they get to university. At university, difficulties which students have had in the past and been able to compensate for with their own strategies become more pronounced.
If you have concerns, make an appointment for a dyslexia screening test.
Dyslexia screening involves taking a computerised test which will identify whether you are at risk of having dyslexia. If you are at risk, a member of the Access Centre staff will advise you on what you can do next.
Please note that the Access Centre provides screening tests only and does not diagnose students with dyslexia. To receive a diagnosis you must go to an Educational Psychologist for a full assessment.
For more information on obtaining a full assessment from an Educational Psychologist you should contact the Dyslexia Association of Ireland www.dyslexia.ie.
Alternative Exam Arrangements
The deadline to register with the Access Centre to receive exam supports for Semester One 2012/13 exams is 12pm on Friday 19th October 2012. Students registered with the Access Centre for disability support can view their Alternative Exam Arrangements in SIS Web.
For students that receive extra time supports: If your extra time results in you having less than an hour between the end of your first exam and the start of your next exam, please inform the invigilator in the room you are sitting your first exam in before it starts so that you can receive the full hour between exams.
Please click on the following link for important information about Alternative Exam Arrangements .
If you have any questions about these arrangements please contact the Access Centre Disability Support office, Level 1, James Joyce Library Building or at 01 716 7565.
Full guidelines on Alternative Exam Supports can also be downloaded by clicking on the following link: UCD Access Exam Support Guidelines.
