Disability FAQs – Athlone

It is a team on the TUS Athlone Campus that provides support, reasonable accommodations, and services to students with disabilities. Its purpose is to ensure equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities in their academic pursuits.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in sessions are available Monday to Thursday, 2:00–3:00 PM.   Find us on the main campus, along the Student Resource Centre/D corridor.

You can arrange to meet us by emailing disability.midlands@tus.ie or visit our offices on the D corridor during the walk in session 2-3pm Monday to Thurs.

Yes, you can still register. Many students do not identify with the label “disability.” However, in higher education, the term is used to connect students to funded supports. To access these supports, your condition must meet the criteria of a disability as defined nationally.

The reasonable accommodations a student has are determined on a case-by-case basis during a needs assessment and are different for every student depending on what they need. Examples might include extra time or a smaller venue for exams, learning support, note-taking support for lectures, or a range of assistive technology supports.
For more detailed information, you can view our Reasonable Accommodation Policy (2022–2025).

A needs assessment is an informal, one-to-one meeting with a member of the Disability Support Service team. It is not a test.
You will talk about any challenges you are experiencing, what has helped you in the past, and what support you might need now.
From this conversation, we will develop a support plan that may include learning support, assistive technology, or exam accommodations. This will be outlined in your LENS (Learning Educational Needs Summary).

LENS stands for Learning Educational Needs Summary. It is a document that outlines the specific supports and reasonable accommodations you are entitled to as a student with a disability, based on your needs assessment.

Your LENS may include:

• Exam accommodations (e.g. extra time, spelling & grammar waiver, use of a computer)

• Assistive technology

• Learning support

• Access to materials in alternative formats

No. Your supports roll over every year. If your needs change or something is not working just get in touch, so we make any necessary adjustments.

Yes of course, you can email disability.midlands@tus.ie to arrange a meeting or we also offer daily walk-in sessions Monday – Thursday from 2-3pm.

Yes , We have a dedicated Bridging the Transition to TUS page to help you prepare for starting college. It includes our Starting University Guide for Students with Disabilities, designed to provide you with essential information, resources, and tips to help you navigate your new academic environment with confidence. You will  also find advice on registering with the Disability Support Service, guidance on settling into student life, and details about our Transition to College event.

 Yes! We have an Autism&Uni Toolkit to support autistic students as they prepare for and transition into college life. It includes guidance on what to expect, how to access support, and practical strategies to help you settle in and succeed.

You can explore the Autism&Uni Toolkit on our website for information, resources, and tools created with autistic students in mind.

We understand that starting college can be a big transition, not just for students but also for parents, guardians, and caregivers. While we work directly with students once they begin their studies, we have a dedicated webpage to help you understand how to support them during this time.  Visit the Supporting Your Student page for guidance and practical tips.

You can apply for support once you have accepted your place at TUS and have access to your student email (A00…@student.tus.ie). We recommend registering as early as possible so we can begin arranging supports in time for the start of the semester.  For full details on how to apply, visit the Registering with the Service webpage.

Yes. DARE is an admissions scheme that applies only to entry. Once you are a student at TUS, you still need to register with the Disability Support Service and attend a needs assessment to access supports. While we may receive your details from the CAO, supports are not put in place automatically, you must complete the registration process like any other student. Like all students, those entering through DARE should register with us when they start—but there’s no deadline, so you can register anytime.

Yes, we have DARE advisors who can answer your questions over email or in person. Contact the DARE advisor in Athlone at dare.midlands@tus.ie.

For course-specific DARE place queries, please contact the Admissions Office directly at admissions.midlands@tus.ie.

Yes. You do not need to have applied through DARE to access disability supports at TUS. Any student with a documented disability or specific learning difficulty can register with the DSS at any point during their studies.

To register with the Disability Support Service, visit the Registering with the Service webpage. It includes full guidance on how to complete the registration portal and what documents you will need.

It is best to apply as early as possible, ideally before or at the start of the academic year so that supports can be in place from the beginning of your course.

There is no set deadline, but we strongly recommend contacting the Disability Support Service as early as possible in the semester at disability.midlands@tus.ie. This gives us time to review your application and arrange supports. It is better to register and choose how much or how little support you use than risk going it alone, which can lead to unnecessary stress. 
Please note: Exam support deadlines apply each semester. After these dates, exam accommodations cannot be added or changed so please get in touch early in the semester to organise these.

Supports vary depending on your needs. These may include exam accommodations, assistive technology, and learning support.  For the full list, visit the Disability Support Service webpage.

Learning support is one to one support that helps you build skills like time management, essay planning, study techniques, and organisation. It is tailored to your individual needs and course demands.

For more information, visit the Learning Support webpage.

Yes, if there has been a change in your disability/health condition, course requirements, or if the supports in place are no longer suitable, you can contact your Disability Advisor to request a review.

Yes, reasonable accommodations can apply to work placement but they must be arranged in advance. The Disability Officer will meet with you to complete a Professional Learning and Educational Needs Summary (PLENS). This document outlines the supports you may need while on placement. You are the one who decides if, when, and how to share your PLENS with placement staff. We don’t share it on your behalf. For more information on what a PLENS is and how it works, visit the placement support page.

Yes, you must meet with the Disability Officer and submit a copy of your diagnosing paperwork/letter from your school. In the meeting you will discuss support options and complete an exam support form.

Yes, if you want your exam supports in place for your timed in-class exams e.g. midterm exams, please request this using the online Continuous Assessment Exam Supports Form. You must give at least 7 days’ notice for supports.

Temporary Exam Supports are available for students with an injury or temporary condition. You’ll need to provide documentation dated within 4 weeks of your application. These supports apply to in-person, end-of-semester exams and are granted for one exam session only.

Please contact disability.midlands@tus.ie for more information or to request support.

For full details on exam supports, visit the Exam Supports webpage.

Yes! There are a number of supports available to help you develop your academic skills:

• One-to-One Learning Support: Available only to students registered with the Disability Support Service where it has been identified as a required support through the needs assessment process. This support helps with time management, study techniques, organisation, and academic writing.
• Learner Success Toolkit: A self-paced online resource open to all students. It includes study planners, time management tools, research guidance, and writing tips.
• The Library: Offers academic support through workshops, research tools, referencing guides, and one-to-one help. A great place to develop independent study skills.
• Academic Writing Centre: Free support for all students focused on improving your academic writing, structure, referencing, and clarity. You can bring along drafts and get practical feedback.

Yes, there are designated quiet spaces on campus for students who need a calm environment. You can also access the Sensory Room, located on the D corridor. For more information, visit our Accessibility page.

Blue badge holders do not require a TUS parking permit to park in Accessible parking spaces. For blue badge holders, there is no charge for parking in Accessible parking bays, but you must obtain a valid permit if you are parked in a standard marked parking space, irrespective of the presence of a blue badge.

Yes! We offer a Transition to College Day for incoming students with disabilities. This includes a campus tour, overview of supports, and a chance to meet the team. Details are posted on our Bridging the Transition to TUS page closer to the event.

Please visit our Bridging the Transition to TUS page on our website. Here you will find our Starting University Guide for Students with Disabilities, information on how to register with the Disability Service, details of other student supports, and practical advice for parents and guardians. There is also a lot of helpful transition information available on our Autism&Uni page.