Disability Access Route to Education Process Explained

1. Disability Access Route to EducationProcess Explained

2. What is DARE? The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a supplementary admissions scheme for school leavers with disabilities. DARE has been established by a number of higher education institutions as clear evidence shows that disability can have a negative impact on educational attainment at school and progression to higher education.

3. What Colleges Participate? Athlone Institute of Technology Dublin City University Dublin Institute of Technology Mater Dei Institute of Education National College of Ireland NUI Galway NUI Maynooth Trinity College Dublin University College Cork University College Dublin University of Limerick

4. Why Should a Student Apply? Students who are eligible for DARE may secure a place on a reduced points basis. If a student gets a place through DARE they will have access to a variety of academic, personal and social supports while at college.

5. Who Should Apply? Applicants whose disability had a significant impact on educational performance in school Applicants who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of disability. Applicants under 23 years as at 1st January 2012

6. Disabilities eligible for consideration under DARE Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism ADD/ADHD Blind/Vision Impaired Deaf/Hearing Impaired Dyspraxia Mental Health Condition Neurological Conditions (incl. Brain Injury, Speech & Language Disabilities) Significant Ongoing Illness Physical Disability Specific Learning Difficulty (incl. Dyslexia) Other Disabilities

7. How To Apply Applicants apply online at www.cao.ie by 1st February 2012 Applicants indicate a Disability/Specific Learning Difficulty on the CAO application form Applicants are then directed to the separate online Supplementary Information Form (SIF) Applicants must complete Section A of SIF and ‘opt in’ for DARE by 1st February 2012 Applicants must return supporting documentation by 1st April 2012 (Sections B & C)

8. What is the Supplementary Information Form? A separate form which gathers additional information on the applicant’s disability. The Supplementary Information Form has 4 separate sections: Section A – completed by 1st February 2012 Section B – completed by the school and returned by 1st April 2012 Section C – completed by the accepted Medical Consultant / Specialist and returned by 1st April 2012 Supplementary Admissions Routes – applicants must ‘opt in’ for DARE by 1st February 2012

9. Section C – Evidence of Disability This form provides verification of the applicant’s disability and helps to determine appropriate supports at 3rd level This form should must be completed by the accepted Medical Consultant/ Specialist and returned to the CAO All applicants must complete this form with the exception of the following: Applicants with specific learning difficulties Applicants who have an existing report completed by the accepted Medical Consultant/Specialist.

10. Section C – Evidence of Disability Students with specific learning difficulties must provide a full psycho-educational assessment completed by an appropriately qualified psychologist. The psycho-educational assessment must be less than 3 years old i.e. dated after 1st February 2009. For other disabilities, if submitting a report instead of the Evidence of Disability form: Must have been completed by the accepted Medical Consultant / Specialist Must have been completed within the appropriate timeframe Must contain the same detail as the Evidence of Disability Form

13. HEI Assessment Boards Expert Assessment Board is convened to develop the screening criteria for each disability type The membership of the Assessment Boards must be broadly representative of national experts in the disability that is being considered. Every effort is made to ensure that the experts selected have significant expertise in relation to the Irish system and that they have broad geographical representation. Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism – ASPIRE, NEPS, PSI, HSE, psychiatrists & psychologists, HEI representation Dyslexia – NEPS, PSI, psychologists, HEI representation

15. What college places are available? Each participating HEI has allocated a quota of places on a reduced points basis for students entering through DARE. The quota of places available through DARE differs from one institution to another. Applicants must matriculate and meet specific course requirements. Details of quotas and admissions policies can be found on individual HEI websites and accesscollege.ie

18. 6 Possible Reasons for Ineligibility Evidence of Disability not submitted on time Evidence of Disability not completed by the accepted Medical Consultant/Specialist The Evidence of Disability not stamped or accompanied by the Medical Consultant/Specialist’s business card or headed paper Where required, the Evidence of Disability is not less than 3 years old Insufficient information in the Evidence of Disability to determine eligibility for DARE The disability is not assessed as having a significant impact on educational performance

19. More information for students… www.accesscollege.ie www.cao.ie see Downloads section Better Options Events & HEAR/DARE Information Sessions Individual HEI websites

20. Challenges for the Applicant Getting documentation in on time Getting an appointment with a Medical Consultant/Specialist Medical Consultant/Specialist completing report on time Backlogs for private psychologists in some rural areas Getting updated assessments Cost of an updated psycho-educational assessment Difficulty getting an updated assessment through NEPS Insufficient information in reports Insufficient information to determine impact of disability Summary sheet rather than full assessment Inappropriate tests used

21. Educational Technology www.accesscollege.ie www.cao.ie DARE Brochure – sent to every school in October 2009 DARE Application Guide – sent to every school as part of Autumn mailing Better Options Events & HEAR/DARE Information Sessions Individual HEI websites

22. 35% increase from 05/06 to 08/09 244% increase from 98/99 to 08/09 390% increase from 93/94 to 08/09 National Perspective

23. Source: Survey on the Participation Rates of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education 08/09, Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD), 2009

27. Overview of Presentation Introduction to DARE How applicants apply to DARE How criteria are determined The national perspective & data on DARE Challenges for the applicant