Students - Institute of Technology Blanchardstown

PREVIOUS PAGE
NEXT PAGE ➧
GO BACK TO CONTENTS ➧
38 Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
Student Handbook 2009 | 2010 39
Cynthia O'Hea,
Student Services Officer
Patricia Doyle,
Student Services
Welfare services on campus
We appreciate that education is part of
your overall life experience. ITB is
committed to providing caring support
to our students, to equal opportunity
for students and to assisting with their
personal, medical and counselling needs
as well as their academic welfare.
The Student Charter (see page 26 for list of
policies and student charter) sets out the
rights and obligations of students and is a
framework to ensure that relations between
ITB and its students are conducted in a
fair and equitable manner. Students must
familiarise themselves with this charter
and policies.
STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER
Located first floor Block C
Facilitating students with special needs in
whatever way possible is both an issue of
basic human rights and an integral part
of our undertaking to provide equality
of opportunity in higher education. The
responsibility for implementation of policy
lies within the Registrar’s Office, which
liaises with other ITB departments and
outside agencies. Students who have
special needs are encouraged to let us
know as early as possible by getting in
touch with the Student Services Officer,
Cynthia O’Hea, (01) 885 1028.
Every reasonable attempt to meet students’
needs is made, including the provision of
special equipment where budgets permit.
ITB will liaise with and take advice from
appropriate external groups such as
Health Boards or other national bodies as
appropriate. Students with dyslexia or other
learning difficulties, who may experience
any difficulty with the presentation of
lectures, are encouraged to advise their
Tutor, Head of School or the Student
Services Officer as soon as possible.
Special arrangements will be made for
such students at examination time, provided
sufficient notice is given and student is
registered with student services office.
HARDSHIP FUND
We appreciate that students can sometimes
run into financial difficulty during their
third level education. A limited emergency
fund is available to assist students who
find themselves in this situation. The fund
is intended to meet short-term financial
crises, and students are expected to repay
money they have received from the fund
when their financial circumstances allow,
so that the fund can be redirected to others
in need. The fund is accessed through the
Student Services Officer (01) 885 1028.
DISABILITY FUND
A Disability Fund is provided by the HEA.
Full-time students may be eligible for
funding if they have a special need which
requires support. Funding can be allocated
for the provision of specific supports
including transport costs, study skills,
academic support, equipment and software.
Students who feel that they may be eligible
to apply for this funding should contact
the Student Services Officer as early as
possible. Applications must be supported
by appropriate documentation and/or
assessments. Currently, applications must
be made by mid October to be considered
for this funding.
The Disability Act 2005 sets out to make
significant improvements to the everyday
lives of people with disabilities. It forms
part of the Government’s National
Disability Strategy, which also includes the
Employment Equality Act, 1998, the Equal
Status Act, 2000, the Equality Act, 2004,
the Education for Persons with Special
Educational Needs Act, 2004 and the
Comhairle (Amendment) Bill, 2004.
In short, the Act places a number of
statutory obligations on public bodies
(which include Higher Education
Institutions) to:
• make public buildings accessible to
people with disabilities
• make public services and information
accessible to people with disabilities
• be pro-active in employing people with
disabilities