Back CCT College Dublin is keen to ensure that all students experience equality of opportunity in reaching their educational potential and we welcome all students including students with disabilities, learning difficulties or long term illnesses. We offer a wide range of support and reasonable adjustments, which can be reviewed and discussed by registering with the CCT Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Office.
Background
Despite being encouraged to disclose in order to avail of the many learning supports, many students are reluctant to share their diagnosis.
Should I disclose my diagnosis or not?
How could this affect me?
Here is what Anne Hannan, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer at CCT College Dublin, advises
Anne’s Advice: Disclosing your disability to the EDI Office is a personal choice, but it can be done confidentially. The EDI Officer is available to meet with you in person or online at a time that works for you. CCT College Dublin encourages students to share their disabilities so we can provide the necessary support for a positive and inclusive experience.
If you choose to disclose, it helps your lecturers understand any challenges you may face and how they can support you.
The support you receive is meant to help you manage difficulties, not to give you an unfair advantage or excuse you from completing your work.
The adjustments made will depend on your individual needs and course requirements.
It’s a good idea to talk to your EDI Officer first. They are experienced in supporting students with various disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and can help you identify any challenges you may face in a higher education setting and communicating your support needs to your lecturers.
Registering with the EDI Office can help address assumptions and help your lecturers to understand you better.
Even if your disability is not visible, our EDI Office will treat your needs seriously. The support provided is tailored to you, and EDI Officers will advocate for your needs with your lecturers, so you don’t have to worry about explaining everything yourself.
Remember, the goal of the support is to help you manage any difficulties and ensure you have equal opportunities in your studies.
What to do next?
For an overview of the services offered by the EDI Office at CCT College Dublin - Please email edi@cct.ie
Practical tips
If you have a diagnosed learning disability, it’s important to let us know as soon as possible. This allows us to look at your individual needs and put reasonable accommodations in place to support your academic journey.
If you wish to register with the EDI office, you’ll need to provide certain documents and information such as:
- A formal diagnosis of your disability or learning difficulty
- A description of any current challenges
- Any recommendations for accommodations or services
If you’re unsure if you have these documents, feel free to reach out for a private chat about your needs.
We encourage all students with a documented or suspected disability to register with the EDI Office.
Whether you wish to formally disclose your disability or not, it’s good to have a safe space to talk about your challenges and concerns and receive some guidance and support to facilitate your learning journey in college.
Questions to think about
Questions to Consider Before Disclosing Your Disability
Personal Benefits: What advantages might I gain from disclosing my disability?
Support Needs: What specific support do I need based on my disability?
Institution’s Approach: What is the culture of the educational institution? Have I checked their website for information on how they support students with learning challenges and disabilities?
Reasonable Accommodations: Do I need any adjustments to fully participate in my course?
Health and Safety: Are there any health or safety concerns I should address?
Consequences of Non-Disclosure: What could happen if I don’t disclose my disability? If it becomes known later, how would I handle that situation?
About the author
Anne Hannan is the EDI Officer at CCT College Dublin.