Some Students come to college with a Disability that could be physical or mental. All Students just want to enjoy the college experience. However, sometimes disabled students face challenges in college. There are a number of supports both inside and outside of UCD that disabled students can avail of to ensure that we have as inclusive a time as possible.

The UCD Access Centre Disability Support office is located on the 1^st Floor of the James Joyce Library Building. They provide a range of supports for all disabilities, examples of this can be supports including assistive technology, alternate format (e.g. Braille or audio), learning supports, access librarian services and student supports to name a few.

The Access Centre Disability Support office can be contacted at http://www.ucd.ie/openingworlds/ucdaccesscentre/supportsforstudentswithadisability or at 01 716 7565.

There is also a student society called the Inclusion, Participation, Awareness society. It is not just for Disabled students but for anyone interested in equal opportunities for Students with a disability in UCD. As well as looking for full inclusion in college life, events include guest speakers such as paralympains and people from disability organizations, many great nights out and fundraisers, they also partake in the college wheelchair basketball.

It’s hard to balance study, socializing, friends, family and the pints as a student in UCD and everyone wants to live the Student Life to the max, but if you have an interest in Disabilities issues you would liked raised, they can be contacted at ipaucd@gmail.com or have a look out for them in the Fresher’s Tent.

Useful Websites regarding Websites.

· Ahead

www.ahead.ie

This Irish Voluntary organisation provides an excellent start for all students at Third Level. It has many useful links, publications and general information.

· Irish WheelChair Association

www.iwa.ie

Contains information on services and news from around the country.

· Dyslexia

Dyslexia Association of Ireland.

· Quest for Learning.

www.questforlearning.org

This provides an e-learning module on Study skills for the Students with disabilities, an e-learning module on Disabilities awareness and inclusive education for teaching staff, a virtual support network for graduates with disabilities, guidelines for teaching staff on Open and Distance Learning (ODL) practices and the support needs of Students with disabilities in ODL environments.