Funding announcement for new suite of initiatives to help students with disabilities
Dublin City University has received funding of over €250,000 for a series of initiatives aimed at supporting students with disabilities to access and engage in higher education.
Earlier today, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD announced overall funding of €5.4M to 23 higher education institutions for a broad range of projects.
The suite of initiatives at DCU include assistive technology developments, campus accessibility and assisting teachers with meeting the needs of students with disabilities.
The DCU projects are,
Universal Design and Inclusive Teaching practices - Creation of an Online Module (joint proposal with MIC)- the creation of an online module for teachers, focussing on the needs and supports for students with disabilities on teaching placement.
Universal Design and Technology – Improving Accessibility- this project focuses on a number of areas including the creation of auto transcription for videos and live zoom seminars, automatic assignment planner and the customisation of Loop to individual needs
Universal Design and Physical Accessibility- development of a WayFinding app for DCU Campuses involving Smart DCU in addition to the refurbishment of spaces by DCU Estates.
Contribution to a sectoral project led by UL- an Acapella Voice project, co-ordinated by UL and involving other HEIs.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said,
"College can be an overwhelming experience but for people with disabilities, it can be extremely daunting. These projects will make a transformational difference to people’s lives. For people with autism, there are autism-friendly rooms being established in nine colleges for when things get overwhelming. We are funding projects to make our colleges more accessible.
We will also fund tactile wayfinding maps, loop systems for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Education is for everyone and people with disabilities need to be supported by their third level institutions. Importantly, we will use some of the funding for training staff and hiring new ones to help students with additional needs."
The initiatives will support the overall strategic development of disability services in higher education institutions.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) aims to support students with a range of conditions and disabilities including sensory and physical disabilities, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, autism, mental health conditions and significant ongoing illness.
The scope and reach of the FSD has changed significantly over the past twenty years. In 1999, it supported 300 students. By 2018/2019, the fund supported 13,000 students.
Dr Alan Wall, Chief Executive of the HEA, also welcomed the Minister’s announcement,
"For many years now the FSD has been a key enabler in ensuring that students with disabilities can participate in higher education on an equal basis with their peers. It already provides funding that allows HEIs to provide essential support to students.
The announcement today not only gives HEIs the opportunity to further develop and enhance these supports but also allows them to focus on the strategic development of disability supports and services. This is critical when we bear in mind the particular impact COVID-19 has had on vulnerable and disadvantaged learners and as we move to the development of the next National Access Plan."