Getting the most out of your Disability Service

1. Getting the most out of your Disability Service Aisling Fitzgerald BA (Hons) Economics, Politics and Law 2012 DCU

2. Starting College First arrange a meeting with your Support Officer as soon as you accept your place in college. (Your Support Officer may contact you first) At this meeting ensure to disclose all supports that you feel you need to assist you in completing your coursework while at college. Do not be afraid to ask anything – you won’t get anywhere without trying.

3. Best Piece of Advice Establish a relationship with your Support Officer and/or the Disability and Learning Support Service. These will be the people who will be with you and support you through the entire duration of your academic course. Establishing that relationship will ensure that you can approach all members of the team without any hesitation and feel comfortable to ask for help.

4. My Own Experience I have a Bi Lateral Hearing Impairment Supports I received were: Notetaker/Stenographer Laptop, Dictaphone, Printer Printing fund Option for increased exam time and tutoring supports

5. My Own Experiences 2nd Year However in 2nd year we did not share so many classes and I opted to sit with my group of friends during classes rather than always being beside the notetaker. Remember the notetaker is not offended by this, but do introduce yourself and let them know your in the class. You can still have the usual college experience! 1ST Year • I met with Anne O’Connor (DLSS Officer) and organised the supports before the commencement of the academic year. • I had classes with two other hard of hearing girls and we would always sit together and with the notetaker in classes to ensure we followed along

6. This was me with Rudolph when I won a giant bar of chocolate in a local Christmas market in Gothenburg – GREAT DAY! 3rd Year I was offered a place to study on a year abroad at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The DLSS were able to use the funding to ensure that I still received notetaking services while in Sweden. I was anxious about going to Sweden especially with the hearing impairment but as the course s in Sweden were taught through English and I had the notetaking services –it was a great experience. Once again the Disability Service is there for you every step of the way!

7. Fourth Year (The dreaded Final Year!) On return from Sweden I was in a very serious and focus mode for my final year of college. I met with the DLSS before term started and arranged to have a stenographer for the final year, which was one of the greatest supports I received in college. I sat with my stenographer for every class and I was not too concerned about sitting with friends. That is an attitude that will gradually change throughout your time in college.

8. I completed the Uaneen Module for Extracurricular activities and finally graduated in November 2012. In the summer of 2012 I went on the Washington Ireland Programme and in Washington I received the disappointing news that I just missed the pass mark for a first class honour. I immediately ring the DLSS office for help on appealing the results – they did their best to help me under the circumstances and even wrote me a very nice support letter. This is just to emphasise that no matter what – once you form a relationship with your Disability Service they will always be there to help you.

9. College is what you make of it!Good Luck and Enjoy every minute of it.