Find out how to use our Disability Service team to register with the service, access support and talk about any adjustments you may require. You will also be able to visit the college before your course starts, to gain a feel for where you will be based throughout your studies.

Meeting With the NCI LDSS Team

NCI is committed to ensuring every student feels supported in as many ways as possible – practically, emotionally, and academically. Our Learning Disability and Support Services team (LDSS) are on hand and ready to talk and meet with you and help you get the most from your time at NCI. The LDSS has an open-door policy and encourages all students to contact them as early as possible to find out about all the supports available. You can also contact the service if you are considering coming to NCI as a student and would like to find out in advance about the supports on offer at the college.

At NCI, the LDSS base supports on an individualised needs basis, so the support you will receive as a student is tailored to your specific needs. NCI is a relatively small institution, and this helps the LDSS to get to know students on an individual basis. We encourage you to come and say hello at our office which is in the main atrium, near the college reception. Or if you would like to make an appointment or talk on the telephone that is fine too.

When you first start at NCI If you have applied under the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) entry then you will be contacted to attend our Access Orientation. The Access Orientation is designed for students that need to register with the LDSS. It takes place prior to the general orientation event so students can experience the college and campus in a quieter less overwhelming atmosphere. If you have not applied under DARE scheme you can contact the LDSS and you can still attend the Access Orientation.

The NCI LDSS can also invite you to an Educational Needs Assessment. At this meeting, the NCI support officer can speak with you about the types of supports you might need. For example, what supports have you had in previous schools or colleges and what challenges are you facing. The LDSS officer can then liaise with the other services and departments in the college to line up all the supports for you.

Probably the most important thing is to speak to the LDSS team as early as possible. Get in touch and you will find there is lots of help and support available. See the contact details below:

Email: karen.mooney@ncirl.ie
Phone: (01) 6599 269

Related Support Services

There are also other support services for students at NCI. These include:

• Academic Support Services
• Counselling and Wellness Services
• Mental Health Support
• Medical Services
• Computing Support
• Financial Support

The Disability Support team is responsible for recommending and coordinating your support or adjustments. Adjustments are tailored on an individual basis so your involvement in this process is essential.

If you decide not to contact the team prior to starting your course you are still welcome to contact us at any point throughout your studies.

It can take time to arrange and implement any support you may require so we would encourage you to contact us in good time prior to your arrival so that we can ensure you have everything in place at the earliest possible opportunity.

• You can contact the Disability Support office with any questions you have about the services available at NCI:
  Email: karen.mooney@ncirl.ie
  Phone: (01) 6599 269
• The Support office is located on the ground floor of NCI, between the reception desk and the restaurant.

It might be useful to think about:

• how you would like to describe your autism and anything you think would be useful to share with your tutors
• any support you have received in the past, what has worked well and what hasn’t worked for you
• how you plan to travel to university
• your experience of teaching sessions, what helps you to gain an understanding of a new topic or task
• how you have found note taking and researching for assignments
• how you have found assessments in the past, e.g. exams, essays, presentations, etc.
• how you feel about group work, placement and practical tasks

If you decide that you are going to attend a different college we would recommend that you contact the Disability Support team at your chosen college.