We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment to all our students. If you have a disability, a specific learning difficulty or a medical or mental health condition you can apply for supports and/or services to help you to participate on your course.
Learning and Disability Supports
What is the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD)?
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) gives grants to the college to pay for services and equipment that can help you. The level of supports and services provided will depend on your needs, the funding we receive from the FSD Fund and the availability of suitable staff to provide supports.
The help you may be able to get includes:
- Assistive technology e.g. use of a laptop
- A sign language interpreter
- A personal assistant or notetaker
- Transportation
- Learning support either 1:1 or in small groups
- Exam accommodations, such as a reader, a scribe, more time or assistive technology
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible for supports, you must
- have a verified disability, specific learning difficulty or a medical or mental health condition
- be able to provide the correct type of documentation to confirm this (see Documentation section below)
- meet certain nationality and residency criteria
How can I apply?
Once you have accepted a place in SCFE you can apply for support.
It is essential to start this process as early as possible, especially if you will need additional supports such as a sign-language interpreter or personal assistant.
To apply for supports, please follow these steps:
| Step 1 | Complete the Disability and Learning Support Application Form by clicking on this link: Learning & Disability Supports Application Form 2024 |
| Step 2 | Submit evidence/supporting documentation to the Disability Coordinator in SCFE or email fsd@scfe.ie |
| Step 3 | Attend a Needs Assessment meeting with the Disability and Learning Support Cordinator when requested |
Required Documentation
You MUST submit one copy of all the necessary documents (please do not give us your original documents).
Letters from GPs are not accepted in any circumstances as evidence of disability for the purposes of this Fund.
Documents from the following specialists are accepted and should be signed and on headed paper:
Specific Learning Difficulties: Dyslexia/Dyscalculia
A report/assessment by a psycho-educational psychologist or PATOSS accredited assessor. Applicants need to provide their latest assessment scores/educational reports.
Physical/Mobility Disabilities/Neurological and Significant On-going Illnesses:
A report from an Orthopaedic Consultant/ Neurologist/ Speech &Language Therapist/ medical consultant, giving details of your disability and outlining the kind of supports you require. Significant Ongoing Illness report needs to be less than five years old.
Blind/Vision Impaired
A report from one or more of the following: Ophthalmologist/Ophthalmic Surgeon, a letter from the National Council for the Blind Ireland or a letter from the principal from a school for the Blind
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
A report from one or more of the following: An audiogram from an Audiologist or ENT Consultant, a letter from the principal from a school for the Deaf.
Mental Health Condition (for example, severe anxiety, clinical depression, bipolar disorder)
A report from a Consultant Psychiatrist or Specialist Registrar, which is less than five years old.
Autism
A report from your Consultant Psychiatrist or Psychologist, Neurologist or Paediatrician providing a diagnosis of autism.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
A report from a Consultant Psychiatrist or Psychologist or Neurologist or Paediatrician providing a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.
Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (Dyspraxia /Dysgraphia)
A report from a Psychologist or Occupational Therapist or Chartered Physiotherapist or Neurologist
Speech and Language Communication Disorder
A report from a speech and language therapist
(Source: Guidelines for Education and Training Boards – Further Education Institutions V1/2023, SOLAS,
Fund for Students with Disabilities)
Other Supporting Documents
Further background information on your educational experience helps us to determine appropriate supports and services.
If possible, you should also provide a letter from your school or previous college. It would be helpful if the letter included the following:
- The number of years you attended school or college
- Details of the general supports/services you received in school or college
- Details of any exam considerations you received in state exams This letter can be written by the Principal, the Guidance Counsellor, and the Learning Support Teacher or Visiting Teacher and must be signed by him/her and stamped by the school/college.
- Or you could provide a copy of the Educational Impact Statement if you applied to DARE.
All information will be treated with sensitivity and in as confidential a manner as possible.
Useful Links
AHEAD
The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability is an independent non-profit organisation working to promote full access to and participation in further and higher education for students with disabilities and to enhance their employment prospects on graduation.
Aspire the Autism Spectrum Association of Ireland, aim is to improve the quality of life for autistic people in Ireland.
Chime is the National Charity for Deafness and Hearing Loss provides access to services, social workers, mental health professionals, resources, and assistive technologies for those affected by hearing loss.
DARE The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places at reduced points to school leavers with disabilities.
Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) is the national support organisation for voluntary disability organisations in Ireland who provide services to people with disabilities and disabling conditions.
http://www.disability-federation.ie/
Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) provides information offering appropriate support services, engaging in advocacy and raising awareness of dyslexia.
Enable Ireland Disability Service works in partnership with those who use their services to achieve maximum independence, choice and inclusion in their communities.
Irish Wheelchair Association supports people with physical disabilities to live active, equal and independent lives.
NCBI National Council of the Blind, the national sight loss agency, is a not for profit charitable organisation which provides support and services nationwide to people experiencing sight loss.
Psychological Society of Ireland
A list of registered educational psychologists can be found by contacting the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Student Finance
This website provides useful information on financial support for further and higher education.
