President's News

Opening of Calm Zone for students in Old College Bar

21 Jun 2021
L-R: Professor Stephen Byrne, Interim Registrar, UCC; Linda Doran, Head of Disability Support Service, UCC; Maeve Richardson, Student Union Communications & Engagement Officer (incoming); Professor John O'Halloran, Interim President, UCC; Asha Woodhouse, President, Student Union (incoming) and Naoise Crowley, President, Students Union (outgoing). Photo by Tomas Tyner, UCC.

We are delighted to announce that the much cherished Old College Bar at UCC has been transformed into dedicated space of respite and calm for students, and in particular students on the autism spectrum.

UCC is transforming its campus to meet the diverse needs of its students and the Calm Zone (An Ceantar Ciúin) has been designed using universal design and autism-friendly principles. It is laid out across two levels and every facet of the space, including acoustics and accessibility, has been considered to maximise autism-friendliness and designed to global design guidelines for built environments to be used by individuals with autism. An open plan area includes flexible seating, sensory and respite rooms are included as are universal access toilets and lift. The space will also be used to facilitate workshops that promote student wellbeing. 

The final configuration of the space is the result of consultation with both students and staff, including universal design and accessibility experts, and the team at Butler Cammoranesi Architects. The Calm Zone was funded by the UCC Student Charges and Fees Forum and a donation from the Lauritzon Group.

 

For more on this story contact:

Anne Marie Cooney, Deputy President & Registrar's Office: 021 490 3978 or am.cooney@ucc.ie 

President's Office

Oifig an Uachtaráin

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