Disability Support

What Is Disability Support?

Disability Support provides a confidential, professional and accessible service for students with disabilities who need to avail of reasonable accommodations while in UCC. We have a team of Advisors who are available to help ensure these accommodations are put in place so you can participate fully in University life.

What Support Does the Disability Support Provide?

A Reasonable Accommodation does not refer to living arrangements, it is a professional term used to explain the range of supports and services available in University College Cork (“UCC”) to assist students with disabilities/learning differences/significant ongoing health conditions to fully participate in their studies

Reasonable accommodations are identified during your needs assessment. These supports can include:

• Exam Accommodations such as extra time, technology, smaller/shared venue
• Assistive Technology
• Lecture Recordings
• Accessible Transport
• Personal Assisitant
• Occupational Therapy
• Learning Support

Reasonable accommodations for your Work Integrated Learning (WIL) will be identified before you go on placement.  You will still need to meet the core competencies for WIL but supports can include:

• Assistive Technology
• Support around Disclosure
• Accessible Transport
   

How Can I Provide Verification to Receive Support at UCC?

University College Cork provides a variety of reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities/learning differences/significant ongoing health conditions.  In order to access these accommodations, you will need to submit evidence of your disability. This evidence is used to assess the impact of your disability and ensure that you receive appropriate support.

Please refer to our Guide to providing evidence of your disability for support in UCC to find out your requirements.

We now accept Evidence of Disability from your GP or other Health Practitioner.  Please see the Evidence of Disability Form.

How Do I Learn More About the Resources Available to Me?

Once you register for Disability Support, you will be enrolled on the Disability Support Canvas Course, which will provide you with relevant resources, facilitated by your disability advisor to help your transition to college life and onward progression to finishing your degree.

How Can I Contact Disability Support?

Disability Support is located on the 1st floor, The Hub Building, UCC Main Campus, College Road, Cork, UCC.

Please contact dssinfo@ucc.ie with your full name, surname and CAO/Student number if you have any queries and we will get back to you within 1-2 working days during regular daytime office hours.

Drop In Appointments

The DS offers daily drop-in sessions (times below) where you can meet a Disability Advisor to find out further information regarding the supports listed in your LENS document or to discuss additional supports you may need.

DS drop ins in person: Book here

DS virtual drop in: Book here

These appointments are for quick, disability support-related queries but if a further appointment needs to be made we can do that on the day.

To book, use the links or Visit the Access reception, 1st floor the Hub, any day and ask for a DS drop-in slot. 

Is Registration Different for Students Outside the Republic of Ireland?

If you are a student from outside the EU, you must apply through the International Office. 

It is recommended that you contact Disability Support in UCC before accepting a place at University College Cork so that we can advise you on the types of support available. Incoming International and Erasmus, Visiting or Exchange students should apply for funded support in their home country and/or home university before arrival.

Students from the UK (England, Scotland, and Wales) are not eligible for support that may have been recommended in their Disability Student Allowance application in the UK. UK students with disabilities will be able to register for disability supports offered to all other students with disabilities, and supports will be identified as part of a Needs Assessment.  Please make sure to review disability supports provided by UCC and exam accommodations (e.g. human note takers are now replaced, wherever possible, by lecture capture or assistive technology) when deciding on studying abroad.

Please note:

• Reasonable accommodations that apply in your home country may not be applicable in UCC –The Accommodations that Incoming International students receive in UCC may differ from those accommodations received in the student’s home institution. Reasonable Accommodations for Incoming students will be identified as part of a Needs Assessment and in line with UCC and DAWN guidelines. 
• Evidence of disability must be provided in English. 
• Evidence of disability not originally in English must be translated by a recognised professionally recognised translator.

Accessible Campus Accommodation

The search for accommodation should begin in early January. Many options will be unavailable by the end of February each year. 

Several accessible rooms are available, and these are prioritised for

• students with a significant physical or mobility difficulty
• students who have low vision or no vision

There is no connection with the DARE process and access to accessible accommodation in UCC.  You must apply for accommodation as needed.  See steps below.

If you wish to be considered for accessible accommodation, you must firstly apply via the UCC Campus Accommodation lottery on the Campus Accommodation website.

Applications Open for the 2025/26 academic year in February 2025 and close in March 2025 please check out the UCC Campus Accommodation site for the specific dates and times: UCC Campus Accommodation | University College Cork

Every application is considered on a case-by-case basis. 
 

Campus Accommodation may be your preference, but you should also consider all the alternative accommodation options. The private complexes have accessible accommodation and many of them are very close to the UCC campus. It is very important to be proactive in your search for safe and affordable accommodation.