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

If you wish to be considered for accessible campus accommodation, please complete this form Application for Accessible Accommodation.

UCC Accommodation & Community Life and Disability Support will review all applications made on grounds of disability.  Requests for accommodation are considered on a case-by-case basis and rooms will be allocated based on this review.  We will be in touch with you once all applications have been reviewed.

Please note that priority for accessible Campus Accommodation where available, is given to students with a mobility difficulty (Blind/Vision Impaired or Physical Disability).

Your completed form is not a guarantee that we can provide accommodation, but the detail will help us to assess your need for accommodation. Please note if we do not receive your completed form, we will assume you no longer require our assistance in sourcing accommodation.

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. 

Accommodation advice and support is available to all students at  www.ucc.ie/en/accommodation

Connection Events/Welcome Events

The DS will be running connection events at the beginning of Semester 1.  These events will be for new students starting in UCC and current students returning to UCC.  The sessions will include:

• Meeting the DS Team
• How to register
• Supports available etc...

Dates & Booking Links Below:

The Dora Allman Room is located on the 4th floor of The Hub. A quiet space will also be available in the Lucy Smith Room (beside the Dora Allman Room) for those who require it. 

The Shtepps is located on the 1st floor of the Hub.