How to Arrange Support
Step 1: Evidence of Disability – Gather the required medical documentation confirming your disability or diagnosis. Required documents are listed on our UCD Evidence of Disability Form. If you have multiple disabilities, ensure you have the appropriate documentation for each disability.
Step 2: Registration – Book an appointment by emailing (opens in a new window)disability@ucd.ie. You can also avail of our drop-in hour Service from Monday to Thursday from 11am to 12pm during teaching term.
Step 3: Online Application – After registering, complete the Needs Assessment Request Form on SISWeb and upload your documents.
Step 4: Attend the Needs Assessment meeting – Once you submit the form, the Disability Support team will email you to schedule a Needs Assessment. During this meeting, we will discuss and arrange the appropriate support.
We would encourage you to contact us to arrange an appointment before Week 6 (17th October 2025) to guarantee your supports are in place on time for your end-of-trimester exams.
Please note that your support will remain in place for the duration of your course and you can review your support at any time by emailing (opens in a new window)disability@ucd.ie to arrange an appointment.
If you are returning from a leave of absence or a break in your studies, please contact our team on (opens in a new window)disability@ucd.ie.
| Type of Disability |
Appropriate Professional |
| Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) |
Consultant Psychiatrist OR Psychologist OR Neurologist OR Paediatrician |
| Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome) |
Consultant Psychiatrist OR Psychologist OR Neurologist OR Paediatrician |
| Blind/Visual Impairment |
Ophthalmologist OR Ophthalmic Surgeon OR Letter from the National Council for the Blind confirming registration with the council. OR If a student has attended a school for the Blind, a letter on headed notepaper signed by the principal which confirms attendance at the school. In the case of an Ophthalmologist/Ophthalmic Surgeon the evidence of disability should provide a diagnosis of severe reduction in vision that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses, thereby reducing the person's ability to function at certain or all tasks. The diagnosis of a reduction in vision must be in relation to Best Corrected Visual Acuity or Field of Vision. |
| Deaf/Hard of Hearing |
An audiogram from a professionally qualified Audiologist and/or ENT Consultant, with signature, clearly indicating moderate to profound bilateral hearing loss (i.e. above 40dB). OR If a student has attended a school for the Deaf, a letter on headed notepaper signed by the principal which confirms attendance at the school. |
| Developmental Co- ordination Disorder (DCD)/ Dyspraxia/ Dysgraphia |
Psychologist OR Occupational Therapist OR Neurologist OR Paediatrician |
| Mental Health Condition |
Consultant Psychiatrist OR Specialist Registrar |
| Neurological Condition (incl. Epilepsy and Brain Injury) |
Neurologist OR Other relevant Consultant |
| Physical disability |
Orthopaedic Consultant OR Other relevant consultant appropriate to the disability/ condition |
| Significant ongoing illness |
Diabetes Type 1: Endocrinologist OR Paediatrician Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Consultant Respiratory Physician OR Paediatrician Gastroenterology Conditions: Gastroenterologist Other Conditions: |
| Relevant Consultant/Specialist Registrar in area of condition |
|
| Speech and Language Communication Disorder |
Speech and Language therapist |
| Specific Learning Difficulty (incl. Dyslexia & Dyscalculia) |
Psychologist OR An assessor who is accredited by PATOSS |
What is a Needs Assessment?
A Needs Assessment is a simple and short conversation with one of our Disability Support Specialists to understand your needs and determine the best support for you.
During this 30-minute session, we will identify the most suitable accommodations to support you during your studies at UCD. This may include academic support, exam support, assistive technology support and on campus accommodation support.
Students will have to agree with the accommodations and the terms of the Release and Disclosure of Disability Information Declaration and agree with Disability Support Privacy Statement. Once completed the Needs Assessment, students will receive the Certificate of Disability outlining the in-class and exams support approved. As part of the Needs Assessment, DSS will release the details of your support to staff members on InfoHub Classlists.
Some Needs Assessments will take place by Zoom video call. If you would like more information on how to use Zoom, please see our Guide to Zoom Needs Assessments.