Irish Sign Language (ISL) - This accommodation indicates that the student is Deaf or Hard of Hearing and a sign language interpreter may accompany them to lectures/ tutorials/ labs. Please ensure that the interpreter receives a copy of any handouts or materials to be used. During lectures the interpreter will sit at the top of the class and the student will be seated in the front row. Avoid walking between the interpreter and the student. ISL interpreters are provided by UCD Access and Lifelong Learning.
Live Captioning - This accommodation indicates that the student is Deaf or Hard of Hearing and will be provided with live captioning, facilitated by UCD Access and Lifelong Learning. This captioning service is online so the student requires a good internet connection for this to work effectively. The captioner will type the content of the lecture in real-time and the student will follow the lecture on their own computer screen.
Permission to Audio Record Lecture(s) - Permission to audio record lectures is a reasonable accommodation which enables many students with a disability to get the most from lectures, the material from which might otherwise be inaccessible to them. Reasons why a student may require the use of a recording device include: when handwriting is painful or causes discomfort due to a chronic medical condition or physical disability; when a student with a Specific Learning Disability, such as Dyslexia, is unable to listen and write at the same time. Students who require information in an audio-format should be permitted to record lectures. All students who have been granted this reasonable accommodation agree that the audio recording will be used exclusively for the purposes of private study and will not be disseminated or shared with any third party under any circumstances, please see our privacy statement for more details. If it is not possible for a student to record a particular class, the student should be informed of this well in advance so an alternative method can be arranged to ensure that the student has full access to the lecture content e.g. the lecturer provides detailed notes or a transcript of the lecture. An alternative method should be discussed by the lecturer, student and UCD Access and Lifelong Learning. All parties should be clear on what provisions are being made well in advance of the class itself.
Provide Lecture Slides - Lecture Slides must be provided to the student, ideally in advance of the class, if not already available on the Virtual Learning Environment. The slides provided should be identical to those used in the lecture and should not have any content omitted. This accommodation is recommended for students who have a substantial difficulty in taking notes in class as a direct result of their disability. Handouts should also be provided in advance. Lecture Slides must be available to students as a PowerPoint presentation in electronic format to allow the student to use Assistive Technology, such as text-to-speech software or magnification, if required. All course materials provided are for the student's own personal use and should not be shared.
Use of Proofreading software - The student has been recommended to use software to assist with the proofreading of their continuous assessment submissions. The student may use a proofreading tool to analyse their essays and identify grammar errors. Suggestions have been made to the student on available software. Students may also wish to avail of Learning Support in ALL or the UCD Writing Centre to develop proofreading skills. Students are informed that all pieces of continuous assessment are corrected the same for all students and proofreading is required before submission.
Use of a Service Dog - This student may be accompanied by a service dog. A service dog means any dog that is individually trained to specific industry standards to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory or psychiatric condition. An example of a service dog is a guide dog for the blind. Please consult UCD Animals on Campus Policy for further information.
Use of Laptop - Academic staff should allow the student to use a computer to take notes or use assistive software during the class. This accommodation is often recommended for students who have a substantial difficulty in taking handwritten notes due to their disability. Ideally any student who would like to use technology in the classroom would be permitted to do so. If use of technology is prohibited for all those except those with this reasonable accommodation it allows for an indirect disclosure of the student requiring a reasonable accommodation.
Use of Notetaker - This accommodation is recommended for students who have a substantial difficulty in taking notes in class due to the impact of a disability e.g. if the student is Hard of Hearing or has a physical disability which affects their handwriting. Note-taking is only provided in exceptional circumstances and when the student is unable to use Assistive Technology. Some students may choose not to sit beside their note-taker in class and it may not be apparent who the note-taker is. All note-takers are encouraged to make themselves known to the lecturer. The role of the note-taker is to take notes only. They should not participate in class discussions or interact with other students. A typed copy of the notes is sent to the student by email after the class. Note-takers should not attend a class if the student is not there. However, in exceptional circumstances, note-takers have been arranged to take notes for students who are sick and cannot attend, for reasons related to their disability.
Use of Personal Assistant - This accommodation indicates that the student may be accompanied to classes by a Personal Assistant (PA). The PA is there to assist the student and should not contribute to the class and/or lab unless they are assisting the student to make their contribution. The PA may take notes for the student and assist them in travelling between classes and/or labs. Module coordinators should liaise with students around any requirements in order to facilitate the PA in the classroom/lab.
Use of Radio Aid - This accommodation indicates that the student is Deaf or Hard of Hearing and requires the use of a radio aid in lectures and tutorials. ALL provides the student with the radio aid and training in how to use it. Most radio aids require the lecturer to wear a clip on microphone. The student will usually wear the receiver around their neck. The student will ask the lecturer to use the microphone at the beginning of the class.
Voice Recognition Software - Voice recognition software may be used by a student with a physical disability or one with learning difficulty which results in challenges with written expression. This software is provided by UCD ALL for the student to use when completing assignments or other written tasks.
Wheelchair Access - UCD Access and Lifelong Learning liaises with Buildings and Services to ensure that lectures are scheduled in an accessible venue when there is a wheelchair user registered to take the module. Academic staff should ensure that all other aspects of the module take place in an accessible location. Details of field trips should be provided well in advance to allow the student to make appropriate travel arrangements. If transport is booked centrally by the lecturer or School then a wheelchair accessible bus should be booked. Staff must consider the accessibility of the field trip location.