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Applying for Disability Support


Who can apply for Disability Support?

Students with evidence of a disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty can apply to the Disability Support Service (DSS).  You only need to complete your application once and this remains in place for the duration of your course.  You can apply for disability support at any point during your studies;  however, it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible after starting your course or receiving a diagnosis.

If you are returning from a leave of absence or a break in your studies please contact the Disability Support Service to check that your supports are in place. 

Why apply for Disability Support? 

Once your application to the DSS is approved, you will able to avail of reasonable accommodations throughout the duration of your studies in the University of Galway. The most common reasonable accommodations that students require are: exam accommodations; advice, support, and advocacy; learning support and more.

How to apply for Disability Support? 

Please follow the three steps below to register with the Disability Support Service:

1. What you need in order to apply

To submit an application to the DSS you must provide verification of your disability. This could be an Evidence of Disability form ‌ ‌or a report confirming a diagnosis from an appropriate professional. Please see the table below for examples of the type of report accepted. 

If you do not have the document listed below, you may be eligible to apply to the service with other appropriate supporting documentation. If you have any questions relating to supporting documentation, please contact the Disability Support Service for advice at: disabilityservice@universityofgalway.ie 

Disability

Report

 

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Consultant Psychiatrist OR Psychologist OR Neurologist OR Paediatrician

 

ADD/ADHD

Consultant Psychiatrist OR Psychologist OR Neurologist OR Paediatrician

 

Blind/Vision impaired

Ophthalmologist/Ophthalmic Surgeon OR Letter from NCBI OR attended school for the Blind

 

Deaf/Hard of hearing

Audiogram OR attended school for the Deaf

 

Neurological Condition

Neurologist OR relevant Consultant

 

Speech and Language Communication Disorder

Speech and Language Therapist

 

Physical/Mobility

Orthopaedic Consultant OR relevant Specialist

 

Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia

Psychologist OR Occupational Therapist OR Chartered Physiotherapist OR Neurologist

 

Mental health condition

Consultant Psychiatrist OR Specialist Registrar

 

Significant Ongoing Illness

Relevant Consultant e.g. Diabetes Type 1: Endocrinologist or Paediatrician

 

Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia or Dyscalculia)

Educational Psychologist's report

 

2. Online Application Form 

All students who wish to apply to the Disability Support Service must read this University of Galway DSS Data-protection Notice to understand the roles of confidentiality and consent when processing your personal information. 

When you have read the Data-Protection Notice, please complete this online application form .  

3. Needs Assessment

After you have completed and submitted the online form,  a member of the DSS team will conduct a needs assessment and offer appropriate supports and accommodations. 

Your supports and accommodations will be set out in a Learning and Educational Needs Summary (LENS) report which will be sent to you and to your College, School or Discipline. Supports and accommodations are approved on the basis of:

  • the nature and impact of your disability, health condition, or learning difficulty
  • the requirements of your academic course
  • national guidelines, for example: the Disability Advisors Working Network (DAWN) Guidelines to exam accommodations