Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:
219
Cecilia Keaveney
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the supports available in terms of resources and facilities for deaf students attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25709/01]
Hearing impaired students attending courses in third level colleges or institutions and post leaving certificate centres may apply for assistance from the special fund for students with disabilities, which is administered by my Department.
The fund assists students who have special needs, including deaf and hard of hearing students, in attending third level institutions. The purpose of the fund is to provide grant assistance to students towards the cost of special equipment, including computers, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters.
Applications for assistance under the fund are forwarded to my Department, through the office of the disability officer, or the responsible officer in the college, at the beginning of the academic year.
The level of funding allocated under the fund for students with disabilities has been increased substantially from IR£250,000, 317,435, in 1998 to IR£1,233,000, 1,565,587, in 2000. Under the 2000 fund, allocations were made to 512 students, including an allocation of over £410,000, 520,593, to 84 students with hearing impairments.
In addition, the Higher Education Authority makes targeted funding available to the universities for initiatives designed to promote access to, and participation in, higher education for students with disabilities. Examples of initiatives funded to date, of particular relevance to deaf and hearing impaired students, include installation of loop systems, assistive technologies, counselling and other student support services, special alarm systems and staff training and awareness development.
In June, 2000, I announced the establishment of the Irish Centre for Deaf Studies, in Trinity College, Dublin. This centre will offer courses to improve communication between the deaf and hearing communities and to enhance the employment prospects for members of the deaf community. An initial core function of the centre will be to train qualified interpreters to address the shortage of skilled personnel in this field. Courses in the design and delivery of Irish sign language courses are also envisaged.
The report of the action group on access to third level education sets out a comprehensive framework to increase participation in third level education by mature and disadvantaged students and students with disabilities. The report makes a number of recommendations in relation to students with disabilities, including deaf and hard of hearing students. Implementation of these recommendations is under consideration within my Department in the context of available resources.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:
220
Cecilia Keaveney
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the procedure for a disabled student, either deaf or blind, attending third level education for the first time to ensure their special needs in terms of resources and equipment are met on day one of their first term; and the extent to which special needs teachers, visiting teachers and career guidance teachers are briefed in respect of the procedures for transition between both primary and secondary to third level education.
[25710/01]
Third level institutions in Ireland have certain rights and responsibilities, enshrined in legislation, to determine their own admissions policies. The Universities Act, 1997, requires each university to prepare a statement of its equality policy addressing, inter alia, access of people who have a disability. The Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992, sets out in section 7(5) that “In performing its functions a governing body shall have regard to the attainment of gender equity and of equality of opportunity in education”. The Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992, contains a similar provision.
Students applying for a place in a third level institution generally do so through the Central Applications Office. The CAO processes applications for entry to courses in universities, colleges of education, institutes of technology and other institutions of higher education in the Republic.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to disclose this information when applying to college. Students who indicate a disability in this way, receive a supplementary form, which when completed and returned to the CAO, is circulated to each of the colleges to which the student has applied. The purpose of this process is to alert colleges and universities to the particular needs of students who indicate a disability on the CAO form, so that preparations can be made to provide the necessary supports and to make appropriate arrangements as required. It is essential that third level institutions are informed of the supports that a prospective student may require, so that they may plan in advance.
Each third level institution has either a disability, or other officer who deals with the needs of students with a disability within the institution. It is important that a student with a disability should introduce him or herself to the disability officer, or other officer with responsibility in that area, when she or he first attends the college. The student will then be informed of the provisions and facilities available in the college and will be offered advice and guidance on relevant issues, for example, academic, administrative, registration and examination matters.
The special fund for students with disabilities, which is administered by my Department, assists students who have special needs in attending third level institutions. The purpose of the fund is to provide grant assistance to students towards the cost of special equipment, including computers, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters. Applications for assistance under the fund are forwarded to my Department, through the office of the disability officer, or the responsible officer in the college, at the beginning of the academic year. In 2000, allocations totalling £1,233,000, 1,565,587, were made to 512 students.
Furthermore, the Higher Education Authority provides targeted funding to the universities for initiatives designed to promote access to, and participation in, higher education for students with disabilities. In 2000 a sum of £664,000, 843,106, was made available for this purpose.
The report of the action group on access to third level education sets out a comprehensive framework to increase participation in third level education by mature and disadvantaged students and students with disabilities. The report makes a number of recommendations in relation to students with disabilities, including a number that are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition from second level to third level. Implementation of these recommendations is under consideration within my Department in the context of available resources.
The role of the visiting teacher service includes being available to advise staff in third level institutions and post-school training facilities which may have young people with special needs in their enrolment, including those who are hearing and visually impaired.
