Page Updated: 14 August 2024
This page brings together a broad range of topics, projects and services from around UCD under the heading of 'disability'. Here you'll find broad definitions of disability, invisible disabilities, and neurodiversity, information on requesting a needs assessment for reasonable accommodations, assistive technology and supports.
Within Irish Equality Legislation, disability is broadly defined to include people with physical, intellectual, sensory, learning and/or cognitive emotional disabilities and a range of medical conditions. It's important to note that disabilities can be visible or invisible.
'Invisible disability' is an umbrella term that is used to capture a whole range of disabilities which might not be immediately obvious to onlookers. These disabilities can be neurological, related to mental health or physical in nature. Examples include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, acquired brain injuries, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, mental health conditions, autism, learning disabilities or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD).
'Neurodiversity' is sometimes used as an umbrella term for neurological traits in people. For example, autism, dyslexia, ADHD (attention, deficit, hyperactivity disorder), dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia.
Please scroll down to find information on supports including requesting reasonable accommodations.
This policy provides support for managers and employees to support the employment of persons with disabilities.
UCD is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming working environment for all our employees and for those applying for jobs at UCD. The university seeks to create a workplace which provides the necessary support for employees to reach their full potential.
Please review the information on the Reasonable Accommodation page
In 2025, Research Ireland introduced a Disability Policy and Supplemental Grant pilot. This policy aims to provide eligible Research Ireland-funded grant holders and their Research Ireland-funded team members with a supplementary budget for the costs of required, eligible reasonable accommodations where those costs are not available via other existing funding mechanisms.
The Research Ireland Disability Supplement is not meant to replace existent funding mechanisms for reasonable accommodations, and requests for funding under this supplement should only be sought if the required budget is unavailable from other recognised sources.
In the first instance, please follow UCD's reasonable accommodation process. To make a request for reasonable accommodations, please review UCD's reasonable accommodation process and complete the form on the website.
Further Information on Research Ireland Disability Supplement Fund (Pilot)
Who is eligible?
To meet the requirements you must be:
Employees
Students
For more information, visit: UCD Student Disability Support Service
For information on UCD Research Ireland’s Supplementary Fund: (opens in a new window)www.researchireland.ie/about/policies/disability/
Assistive Technology (AT) is a range of tools that may benefit your learning. This includes, for example, software that helps with spelling and grammar, tools to help with organisation and apps for recording.
If you require specific Assistive Technology (AT) suggestions, then try the '(opens in a new window)Discover your AT' tool that makes AT suggestions for you based on 3 questions.
The creation of accessible content follows three core principles:
Explore Tools and Guidance to ensure the accessibility of your own content: Universal Design and Accessibility Guidance
Campus Accessibility is about the creation of a campus that can be used by everybody, irrespective of ability or disability. The Campus Accessibility Officer oversees action plans to incorporate accessibility to buildings and services in line with best practice in universal access and design. Further information is available via the link: UCD Campus Accessibility Website
Disability blue badge car parking facilities are located throughout the campus.
The blue bay areas are marked on the accessible(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)UCD interactive campus map.
Applicants with permanent mobility impairments should apply to the DDAI (Disability Drivers Association of Ireland) for a disabled parking permit.
A person with a temporary disability can apply for a UCD reduced mobility or temporary car parking permit and may also use the designated parking areas.
Information about how to apply is available from UCD Estate Services webpage below. Applicants can complete the form themselves with their GP/Consultant. The disc is valid for a period of 3 months. All holders must hold a current and valid UCD Parking Permit for the periods the reduced mobility permit is in place.
Completed applications should be returned to(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)estates@ucd.ie
For more information on how to apply, please visit UCD Estates.
UCD face-to-face training and eLearning training on Disability Awareness and Reasonable Accommodation tailored for managers and employees is available.
Following a pilot in the College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, EDI are delighted to bring two new training sessions on Disability Awareness and Reasonable Accommodation tailored for managers and employees.
Leading Disability-Inclusive Teams in UCD (Managers)
This Reasonable Accommodation training for managers tailored to UCD focuses on creating positive awareness of disability and aims to inform participants about the important topic of ensuring best practice employment and service supports for people with disabilities. The session will cover types of disabilities, legislation, case law, the four key areas of reasonable accommodation, as well as UCD-specific processes. Book via UCD EDI Training Calendar. * This course counts towards the digital EDI Ambassador Badge *
Disability Awareness in UCD Training (Employees)
The purpose of Disability Awareness training is to educate participants around core aspects of disability and disability related issues, thus giving participants greater confidence when engaging work colleagues and service users with disabilities. This training aims to address myths and misconceptions that people may have around disability. Training will also give a solid foundation in areas such as communication, appropriate language, types of disabilities, legislation, disability etiquette, barriers for people with disabilities, accessibility, discrimination and creating an inclusive society. Participants will learn about the topic of Reasonable Accommodation and its increasing importance in Irish workplaces. Book via UCD EDI Training Calendar. * This course counts towards the digitalEDI Ambassador Badge*
Universal Design in UCD Training
The new ‘Introduction to Universal Design in UCD’ training is now launched. This one hour self paced piece of online training is available on(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)Brightspaceand all personnel are automatically enrolled. The course will equip you with the essential competencies and knowledge to ensure that students experience an inclusive educational environment. The course will be made up of three twenty minute sections:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education eLearning
The "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education" eLearning course on UCD LearnUpon includes a section in disability (Module 4, Section 2.) The course is a fundamental introduction to EDI in a University context, and this section includes key information and facts on disability, reasonable accommodation and how to support colleagues. Find out more about this eLearning course and how to complete it in our EDI Learning section.
The aim of Deaf Awareness Training is to promote knowledge and understanding about the Deaf community and to break down barriers between These videos have been developed by Citizens Information in association with the Irish Deaf Society.
Learn more and watch the videos on theDeaf Awareness Training webpage.
A Staff Disability Network has been established with the aim of bringing together staff with disabilities and those with an interest in disabilities, in a relaxed and confidential forum. The network will also act as a source of peer support in the workplace and promote disability equality and inclusion for staff through consultation on the University’s plans, strategies and policies.
Please refer to the following website for further information:http://www.ucd.ie/staffdisabilitynetwork/
As part of UCD’s commitment to inclusion, UCD will participate in theWilling, Able, Mentoring (WAM)programme. This programme supports graduates with disabilities in obtaining mentored, paid work placements. This partnership brings graduates with disabilities and WAM’s network of employers together so that both can benefit and learn from each other.
Learn more on ourMentoring webpage.
UCD Access and Lifelong Learning advises staff in relation to supporting a student with a disability or supporting students applying for extenuating circumstances and temporary exam support. Please make contact if you have any questions or concerns.
The Disability Support team can provide advice and support to UCD students with permanent and long-term disabilities.