Students with Disabilities

Institute of Technology, Sligo has an Access Officer who has specific responsibility to support students attending the college who have a disability or special needs due to chronic illness.  It is however the responsibility of any student with a disability or special needs to make contact with the Access Officer at the beginning of each academic year so that their needs can be reviewed.  The Institute of Technology Sligo cannot take responsibility for failing to support a student where the student has not identified their needs to the Access Officer.  Supports for students with disabilities are continuously being developed and it is important that students make themselves aware of these developments.

In registering with the Access Officer, the student and Access Officer will agree an individual support plan tailored to the specific requirements of that student with referrals to other members of college staff only as appropriate.  The confidentiality of the registration form will be waivered only with the written consent of the student.  The student can also receive a copy of the completed Disability Registration Form for his or her own records.

Supports Available

The Access Officer acts as an advocate on behalf of the student with a disability or special need in the Institute of Technology, Sligo.  By registering with the Access Officer, she can request and develop supports in relation to academic and physical requirements within the college on the student’s behalf.  She can also make application to the Higher Education Authority for funding to facilitate the student in his / her studies, purchase and loan equipment intended to assist the student during his / her studies at the Institute of Technology Sligo.  As it will take some time to develop some of the supports required by any student, students are urged to make contact with the Access Officer as soon as is possible following return to study at  Institute of Technology Sligo.

One hurdle, which all students have to overcome in their studies at the Institute of Technology Sligo, is that of examinations.  Specific procedures are in place to support students with disabilities or special needs to perform on an equal basis as their class peers.  These procedures allow for students where necessary to use a special desk or chair, take medicines, food or drink have a rest or break during examinations, record answers through mechanical or electronic means or with the assistance of a scribe or have an extension of the exam time allowed.  Such supports do not allow for factual assistance to be given to the student in relation to the subject of the exam and all requests for special arrangements must be substantiated by documentation from a third party.

How to find the Access Officer

The Access Officer, Catherine McNelis can be contacted at 071-9155381 or by email at access@itsligo.ie Students with dyslexia / specific learning difficulties should make contact directly with the Learning Support Tutor, Andrea Rynn at 071-9155400 or by email at learningsupport@itsligo.ie