What is Disability Outreach?

Disability Outreach is an initiative of Access UCC that works with students, families, schools, and community organisations to support young people with disabilities in exploring and accessing further and higher education. Through information, guidance, assistive technology demonstrations, and collaborative outreach activities, the programme helps students understand the supports available to them and prepare for successful educational transitions. 

What are the Aims?

The programme aims to: 

• Increase awareness of disability supports and educational opportunities. 

• Build confidence, independence, and self-advocacy skills among students with disabilities. 

• Support smooth transitions from school to further and higher education. 

• Promote inclusive educational practices through engagement with schools and community partners. 

• Reduce barriers to participation and help students realise their educational potential. 

Who is it for? 

Disability Outreach is designed for students with disabilities from primary and post-primary schools, with a particular focus on: 

• Students who are blind or vision-impaired. 

• Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. 

• Students with physical disabilities. 

• Students with disabilities attending DEIS schools or other underrepresented educational settings. 

The programme also supports parents, guardians, teachers, guidance counsellors, and community organisations who play an important role in helping students achieve their educational goals. 
 

Supporting Primary Schools

Access UCC offers one-day workshops for students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities 

One-day fun workshops for primary school students (5th and 6th class) with disabilities are held after the midterm break in November. These workshops aim to give the students a fun experience on campus and to make students and parents/guardians aware of the supports available to students with disabilities in UCC. 
 
For students, we host some fun activities in the morning, while parents can attend an information session with UCC advisors who will outline the DARE scheme and current supports for students with disabilities in UCC.  

For further information, contact: Deirdre Madden;  
deirdre.madden@ucc.ie   086 7922072 

(Booking in essential. Please book a place in the student’s name and add the parent/guardian’s name and details in that booking) 

November Workshops after midterm break. 

Support to primary schools which have students who: 

• have low/no vision 

• are Deaf or hard of hearing 

• have a physical disability 
   

If your school has students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities, Access UCC Disability Support can visit your school offering: 

Talks for Students, Parents & Staff on: 

• understanding the DARE Scheme (& the HEAR scheme) 

• supports available through Access UCC Disability Support 

• information on day-long workshops for students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities 

• information on events and initiatives with Community Partners in education & disability. 

Assistive Technology Training for Staff 

• Practical AT demonstrations - Suitable for Croke Park hours 

• One-to-one supports for students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities and for those who support them. 

If you are interested in a visit, please contact Deirdre Madden    deirdre.madden@ucc.ie         086 7922072 

Supporting Secondary Schools

Access UCC offers one-day workshops for students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities and for autistic students.  

These workshops aim to give students a fun experience on campus and to make students and parents/guardians aware of the supports available to students with disabilities at UCC. 
 
For students, we host fun activities in the morning, while parents can attend an information session with UCC advisors, who will outline the DARE scheme and current supports for students with disabilities in UCC.  

For further information, contact: Deirdre Madden;  
deirdre.madden@ucc.ie   086 7922072 

(Booking is essential. Please book a place in the student’s name and add the parent/guardian’s name and details in that booking) 

Summer Workshops 2027   

Support to secondary schools which have students who: 

• have low/no vision 

• are Deaf or hard of hearing 

• have a physical disability 
   

If your school has students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities, Access UCC Disability Support can visit your school offering: 

Talks for Students, Parents & Staff on: 

• supports available through Access UCC Disability Support 

• information on daylong workshops for students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities 

• Information on events and initiatives with Community Partners in education and disability.  

If you are interested in a visit, please contact Deirdre Madden    deirdre.madden@ucc.ie         086 7922072

Supporting DEIS Schools

Does your DEIS school have students who: 

• have a disability or additional learning need 

• have low or no vision 

• are Deaf or hard of hearing 

• have a physical disability 

Access UCC Disability Support can work with your school to support these students on their journey to further and higher education. 

What We Offer DEIS Schools  
Information Sessions for Students, Parents & Staff on 

• understanding college pathways, including the DARE and HEAR schemes 

• an overview of supports available in UCC for students with disabilities 

• guidance on preparing students early for college and future options 

• information on daylong workshops for students 

 
Supporting Students’ Confidence & Understanding 
We help students to: 

• explore their strengths and future possibilities 

• understand the supports available to them 

• feel confident about progressing to further or higher education 

 
Assistive Technology for Inclusion 

• Demonstrations of practical Assistive Technology (AT) supports 

• Tools to support literacy, organisation and accessibility 

• Staff training sessions (suitable for Croke Park hours) 

• One-to-one support for students with vision, hearing or physical disabilities and for those who support them. 

 
We collaborate with Access UCC PLUS to connect with DEIS schools, families and communities, disability and education partners to support inclusive pathways and equal access to further and higher education. 

DARE Scheme

For more information on the Disability Access Route to Education scheme, please visit the following page: DARE Admissions

Assistive Technology Training for Teachers & SNAs

We offer assistive technology (AT) resources for secondary  schools as follows:  

• Access UCC has created a resource on free Technology to Make Learning Easier course/resource on free/built in tech to make reading, writing, planning and studying easier. Please see if this is useful to you and please share it also. Access UCC has created the "Technology to Make Learning Easier" resource, aimed at TY students and educators but applicable to all.  
   
  This resource/course can be used as an important part of the school’s work on Pillar 1 of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027.  
   

• AT training in partnership with Cork Education Centre delivering online training for teachers and SNAs in afternoons and evenings. Please click here to view the CESC training calendar and book the training of interest to you. 
   
  As part of this partnership, we also run a weeklong Summer Course on AT for Teachers in July. Please click here for more information: Summer - Cork Education Support Centre 
   

• AT training with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Please click here to view the NCSE teacher training calendar 
   

• AT training to staff in your secondary school and to primary schools which have students who have vision, hearing or physical disabilities. Practical AT demonstrations suitable for Croke Park hours.  
  Please contact Deirdre Madden to arrange this (deirdre.madden@ucc.ie ) 

Community Partners to Enhance Transition to HE/FE for Students with Hearing, Vision & Physical Disabilities

The Community Partners Initiative is an Access UCC collaboration designed to improve the transition into Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) for students with hearing, vision, and physical disabilities, who remain significantly underrepresented across the sector. By working closely with specialist organisations and practitioners, we aim to remove barriers, strengthen pathways, and ensure that students feel informed, supported, and confident as they take their next steps in education. 

At the heart of this initiative is a shared commitment to empowering students as self‑advocates—helping them understand their needs, communicate their strengths, and navigate the systems and supports available to them in HE and FE settings. 

Our Community Partners 

This work is made possible through the expertise and collaboration of our community partners, including: 

• National Council for Special Education (NCSE) 

• Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) 

• Visiting Teachers for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing 

• Visiting Teachers for Blind/Visually Impaired Students 

• Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind 

• Vision Ireland 

• Cork Deaf Association 

• Enable Ireland 

• The Crann Centre 

Together, we share insights, identify challenges, and co‑develop resources that support students and families during the transition from school or community settings into university life. 

Building a More Inclusive Future 

Through strong partnerships, student‑centred resources, and authentic role‑model stories, the Community Partners Initiative is helping to create a more inclusive and equitable pathway into higher education. Together, we are ensuring that students with hearing, vision, and physical disabilities not only access HE/FE—but thrive within it.