Back Attending college can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. It is important to know that there is support, information and resources available if you need them. Make sure you avail of every support you need to ensure you have the best possible college experience.
Background
The Disability Support Service Team offers support, information and guidance on any disability related matters within our college. Support is available to students with a range of disabilities and long term conditions such as:
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Blind/Vision Impaired.
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) – Dyspraxia.
- Mental Health Difficulty.
- Neurological Conditions (including Epilepsy & Brain Injury)
- Physical Disability.
- Significant Ongoing Illness.
- Specific Learning Difficulty (including Dyslexia & Dyscalculia).
- Speech and Language Communication Disorder
Support is tailored on an individual basis in order to ensure access to the most effective support for you. Some examples of support other students have found useful are:
Exam Support:
- Separate or Smaller exam venue.
- Reader and/or Scribe.
- Assistive Technology (e.g. Literacy support software reads the exam paper).
- Extra time (10 minutes per hour).
- Marking Guidelines (advice for examiners when marking exam papers).
- The use of a computer or laptop.
Learning Support:
- Developing techniques to improve reading, writing and comprehension.
- Note taking skills.
- Organisation and time-management skills.
- Essay/assignment planning and writing.
- Structuring of sentences.
Assistive Technology
- Literacy support software – ClaroRead.
- Mind mapping software – Inspiration.
- Note taking software – Glean.
- Scanning Reader Pens.
- Fixed and portable Induction Loop Systems.
Students registered with the Disability Support Service will also have access to our Assistive Technology Centre which offers:
- Thirteen workstations, including three specifically designed for powered wheelchairs.
- High-end computers that are all housed on adjustable electronic tables, capable of running every programme in the college.
- Printer and photocopier.
- One touchscreen computer.
- 32” monitors for visually impaired students.
What other Supports are available?
Attending college can be some of the best years of your life, however, it is not always smooth sailing for everyone. The staff in the Student Resource Centre are renowned for the care and attention they provide in helping students to navigate through difficult and challenges times. TUS Athlone provides a friendly and welcoming environment to continue your education journey. See below some of the services and supports available to you throughout your time in TUS Athlone:
Text 50808 (a text-based mental health support available to all third-level students)
How could this affect me?
Getting used to life as a college student can be a challenge for anyone, it is important to know that there is support, information and resources available if you need them. Talking to us about the support available, any questions or concerns you have, and visiting campus, might help you make a decision whether you want to study with us, and ensure you have the best possible college experience if you do.
What to do next?
Contact the Disability Officer to find out more about the support available
Practical tips
Where possible we would suggest you contact our Disability Officer as soon as you have an offer of a place, even if you haven’t decided that you are definitely studying with us. This will give us plenty of time to talk about your support, give you an opportunity to look around our campus and ensure any support is in place for when you start.
Disability Officer: Lisa Hanlon
Room number: D22
Email: lisa.hanlon@tus.ie or disability.midlands@tus.ie