The data is the first evidence-based research in any one academic year, in this case the 2005 intake and involved nine institutions.
The report titled “Students with Disabilities Tracking Report – 2005 Intake. An analysis of their progression, retention and success through Higher Education Institutions” investigated the access, retention and success rates of students with disabilities across Ireland. It was launched by Ann Heelan, Executive Director of AHEAD (Association of Higher Education Access & Disability) who highlighted the great successes of students with disabilities.
The research was commissioned by Pathways to Education, which is a joint access initiative of University College Cork (UCC) and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and funded under the Strategic Innovation Fund – Cycle 2. It was carried out under the guidance and support of the disability services in both institutions.
Commenting on the research Mary O’Grady, Disability Support Officer and Head of Disability Support Service at UCC commented: “This report will prove to be a valuable resource to the educational sector in addressing the challenges of increasing the access and participation of students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties in higher education in the future.”
Echoing these sentiments, Laura O’Rourke, Disability Support Officer and Head of Disability Support Service, Cork Institute of Technology said: “This report also serves to educate and create awareness amongst academic staff as well as students, and so it is with great pleasure that CIT have become a part of this research project and welcome the findings.”
For further details, please visit www.pathwayscork.ie
Picture L-R: Mary O’Grady, Disability Support Officer and Head of Disability Support Officer, UCC; Ann Heelan CEO, Association of Higher Education Access Disability (AHEAD); Laura O’Rourke, Disability Support Officer and Head of Disability Support Officer, CIT and Martin Flynn, Pathways to Education Project Manager, UCC.
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