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Disability Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022

Tuesday, 5 July 2022

Questions (493)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

493. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to develop further services to address the needs of students and prospective students with autism; and if the implementation of such services will be informed by feedback from members of the autism community. [36233/22]

View answer

Written answers

I thank the Deputy for the question on this matter. 

I recently announced new initiatives to support autistic students and those with an intellectual disability access third level education.

The proposals, which will form part of the proposed new National Access Plan, will allocate ring-fenced funding of €3 million a year to 2025 so higher education institutions can implement universal design and inclusive practices on their campuses, and enhance opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.

Funding in 2022 will be directed towards universal design and inclusive practices. This includes improving campus accessibility improvements such as supporting autism friendly campuses such as wayfinding apps, signage, small-scale capital works such as autism-friendly spaces such as sensory rooms or quiet zones.

The funding this year may also be used for training and professional development for staff, including training resources and recruitment of specialists, to develop and enhance of inclusive teaching, learning and assessment practices. Funding can be used to make services available at times which suit students’ needs.

Technology-based solutions that support inclusive practices in teaching and learning, and training for students to support learning and utilising assistive technology and upgrading students’ digital skills will also be supported.

Later this year, a competitive funding call will issue to colleges seeking proposals for 3-year pathfinding pilot programmes supporting the creation of on how to assist students with intellectual disabilities. Funding for approved programmes or courses will be rolled out over 3 years, starting in 2023.

The proposals will form part of the National Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education.

An open consultation process informed the development of this plan, and a wide range of stakeholders including those representing students with Disabilities and Autism made submissions. 

As part of continuing research to support phase 2 of PATH 4 additional engagement with both the learner & their parents will be required. Officials in my Department plan to engage expertise to support my Department and HEA to support the management of a structured engagement process to design an appropriate call for proposals for students with an intellectual disability in ways that facilitate appropriate evaluation.

About PATH

The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund supports innovative approaches to delivering the ambitions, goals and objectives of National Access Plans.

This new measure will support the creation of greater capacity within higher education for embedding inclusive practices using universal design practices which will help all students, including students with autism and other additional needs.

A whole of institution approach to student success for all and the embedding of universal design and inclusive practices will be a key feature in the new plan benefiting all students, while being of particular benefit to students with disabilities including students with autism and students with an intellectual disability.

Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. A key ambition for the department is to ensure that we provide more opportunities in higher education for all reflecting the diversity of our population.

This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, people who are most marginalised and people with special and additional needs. This means assisting people in accessing and progressing through further education and training and higher education.

This important development will help to build on the existing but limited provision already available in Higher Education Institutions for students with intellectual disabilities. These measures to be put in place under a new PATH Strand 4: Universal Design for All and improving opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities to engage in Higher Education.

PATH 4 aims to:

Support a more diverse student body in Higher Education that includes students with an intellectual disability

Support capacity building and embed universal design approaches for all, particularly students with autism and an intellectual disability in higher education

Develop policies and subsequent implementation plans to promote participation of students with intellectual disabilities in higher education

Advance a holistic student-centred partnership approach within the tertiary education sector which will enable students with an intellectual disability reach their potential

Phase 1

Phase 1 will be a once off fund of €3 million for universal design which will be allocated to higher education institutions in 2022 to advance universal design and inclusive practices in higher education. This measure will complement existing student success measures in higher education for all students and learners. While benefiting all students, it will be of particular benefit students with disabilities, including students with autism. It will also enable the development of future capacity in HEIs for creating more opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.

Phase 2

Phase 2 will be a competitive funding call for new 3-year pathfinding pilot programmes/course provision for students with intellectual disabilities with a funding stream of €3 million a year over 3 years, commencing in 2023. The outcomes arising from this investment will inform future policy beyond the pathfinding pilot phase which will take place over a period between 2022 and 2025.

One of my priorities is to support learning for all. I want the tertiary education system to develop and grow its supports for vulnerable learners, autistic students, learners with disabilities, under-represented groups and the most marginalised. I want learners to engage with and complete their education journey while recognising that some learners will need additional supports to help them achieve their full potential.

My Department will continue to keep existing provision and initiatives under review; to develop a better understanding of what works best within the different models, how we can support different providers in working together and learning from each other, and examining what is scalable from institutional-level approaches. 

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