Disabled or disadvantaged?

THE chances of entry to 16 colleges are boosted again this year for students with disabilities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

More than 1,800 people benefited last year under the DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) and HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) schemes, whose participants include all seven universities.

More than 1,000 of them were offered places through the CAO with points below the cut-off for other applicants, as the schemes take account of the barriers that disability and disadvantage can place in the way of Leaving Certificate performance for many students. However, almost half of them had achieved the minimum CAO points requirements in their applications regardless.

But as well as an improved chance of access to courses, participation in the DARE and HEAR programmes means additional supports on entry to college. For example, additional help with study and adapting to third level are available, while those who are accepted into the DARE scheme may be given access to assistive technology to help ensure disability does not restrict full participation in studies and college life.

The full details of both schemes are available www.accesscollege.ie, but a few vital dates are important to be aware of at this stage, including a requirement to apply to CAO by the February 1 deadline.

By March 1, intending applicants for either scheme must complete further details on their online CAO application. Full supporting evidence for your HEAR or DARE application should be submitted by April 1.

The details of HEAR and DARE programmes will be discussed and questions can be answered at a series of information clinics being held this Saturday, January 14, at a number of venues.

They will run from 10am to 2pm, offering advice on how to fully and properly complete the applications, outlining more detail of the supporting documents needed and other important information. Students, their parents, teachers and guidance counsellors will be welcome to meet and discuss applications with advisors from all the 16 colleges taking part.

The venues are as follows:

* Athlone: Athlone Institute of Technology (Count John McCormack Hall)

* Cork: University College Cork (De Vere Hall, Student Centre)

* Dublin: Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street campus (Courtyard Annex, Ground Floor)

* Donegal: Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey

* Galway: National University of Ireland Galway (Arts Millennium Building)

* Kildare: National University of Ireland Maynooth (Phoenix Building, North Campus)

* Limerick: University of Limerick Campus (Main Building)

* Monaghan: Glencarn Hotel, Castleblaney

Full details of all events can be found online at www.accesscollege.ie and www.qualifax.ie.

Students can also access information about DEAR and HARE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/accesscollege, or on Twitter via @accesscollegeie