Information on post-school options, further education and training, higher education and finance and supports.
COVID-19 resources:
Aontas Adult Learning Resource Hub: lists a wide range of online learning resources.
NALA is offering free tuition over the phone for adults with: reading, writing and spelling, numbers and basic maths, filling in forms (eg social welfare), fun learning ideas for kids at home, understanding health information and financial information (eg applying for mortgage relief). Freephone 1800 20 20 65 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday, or text LEARN to 50050 for a call back with more information or to set you up with a tutor.
The Kildare & Wicklow Education & Training Board Online Skills Hub is offering fully funded on-line courses available to all. Courses include Leadership and Management (ILM), SCRUM Management and Microsoft Office Specialist. All courses are certified. Courses are delivered online and will be supported by a e-tutor. Email onlineskillshub@kwetb.ie to find out more.
Useful General Information
National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2019
Aims to ensure the student body in higher education reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population: goals and actions that aim to support increased access and participation in higher education for people with disabilities and other groups.
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
Information pamphlets on post-school education and training options for people with disabilities.
Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD)
Information for students with disabilities on accessing and taking part in further and higher education and getting a job after graduation. Disability Access Map. WAM programme offering mentored paid work placements for graduates.
Further Education and Training Hub
Information on apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education and basic literacy and numeracy services.
User-friendly website with information tailored to your own particular situation and needs.
SOLAS Further Education & Training Authority website
Information on further education options such as courses, e-college and apprenticeships.
Qualifax National Learners Database
Search courses, take an ‘interest assessment’ and check qualifications, search for CAO courses with specific supports for students with disabilities.
Department of Education & Skills
Useful information for learners.
Inclusive National Higher Education Forum: national interest group of higher education providers and other professionals interested in supporting access routes and inclusive education initiatives to learners with intellectual disabilities in Ireland. Lists courses on offer for people with intellectual disabilities.
Free online courses
Further Education & Training providers
Kildare & Wicklow Education & Training Board
Information on training programmes, apprenticeships and traineeships.
Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board
Information on courses and Community Training Centres.
Bray Further Education and Training Centre
KWETB: free full-time VTOS courses for unemployed adults aged over 21.
Bray Institute of Further Education
Post Leaving Cert courses at degree, diploma and certificate level.
Training and employment opportunities for individuals whose needs have not been met through mainstream education.
KWETB Adult Basic Education Centre
Free, confidential, friendly and flexible service for people over 16 who are not in full-time education.
Free courses for people who have had an accident, illness, injury or have a disability and extra support needs.
Second chance education for young people 16-20 who have fallen out of the mainstream education system for any reason.
Higher Education & College
DARE: Disability Access to Education
Third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.
AHEAD:Association for Higher Education Access and Disability
Information for students with disabilities on accessing and taking part in further and higher education and getting a job after graduation. WAM programme offering mentored paid work placements for graduates.
Higher Education & University Support Services
DCU Disability and Learning Support
Griffith College Disability Support
IADT Disability Support Service
Marino Institute of Education Student Disability Service
Maynooth University Access Office
National College of Ireland Disability Support
Technological University of Dublin Disability Support Services
Finance
Higher Education Authority (HEA) website: Student Finance
Information on financial supports for students – including the Fund for Students With Disabilities, Student Grant, Back to Education Allowance, Student Assistance Fund.
Student Universal Support Ireland website with information on eligibility and how to apply for a student grant.
Bray Area Partnership Education Grants Scheme
Small one-off grants towards college registration, course or exam fees for low income students enrolled on a further or higher education course.
Further Education & Training News
Language & Disability: AHEAD WAMinar
October 11, 2021The WAM programme at AHEAD is running a free training webinar aimed at current WAM employers and potential WAM employers. When: Wednesday, October 20th 2021 from 11.30am – 1.00pm More About WAM:…... Read More
Better Options 2021
September 6, 2021Online fair for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties. What: Free 1 day online event for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties exploring post-secondary school options in education. Available…... Read More
Website launched for autistic students starting college
September 1, 2021AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, has launched a new website to support autistic young people beginning higher level education or resuming on-campus studies this September. The website has been funded…... Read More
New free course: Self-employment for People with Disabilities
July 29, 2021A new free course for people with disabilities who wish to start their own business will begin this September. The course will be hosted and delivered by TU Dublin through…... Read More
Assistive Technology course scholarships
July 9, 2021The ILMI and Enable Ireland’s Assistive Technology Department are offering five scholarships places to support 5 ILMI members to complete the Foundations in Assistive Technology Course. The course is accredited…... Read More
New CREATE employment programme
June 22, 2021CREATE is a new initiative from the Independent Living Movement Ireland. It stands for‘Creating Raised Expectations and Aspirations Towards Employment’. The project will work with disabled people to develop their…... Read More
Building Back Better consultation event
April 29, 2021The National Disability Authority is holding an online consultation to listen to the views of persons with disabilities and DPOs on “Building Back Better: The Post-Covid-19 world for persons with disabilities”.…... Read More
Seminars on post-school options for young people with a disability
March 24, 2021Inclusion Ireland is running seminars on post-school options for young people with a disability, from 11am-2pm every Tuesday in April. Seminars include Decision-making; Employment; Education; and Community Support. Find out…... Read More
Assistive Technology for Dyslexia free event
March 16, 2021The Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) is pleased to announce a new event on “Assistive Technology for Dyslexia” as part of the Dublin Learning City Festival 2021. This free event…... Read More
The Power of Disability Conference
January 13, 2021The Union of Students in Ireland and AHEAD kindly supported by the Higher Education Authority invite you to the Power of Disability conference. This two day event will include discussions, presentations and feedback sessions encouraging students with disabilities to be leaders on their…... Read More
Study: technology-friendly inclusive university settings
December 16, 2020The DEPTH Study is recruiting students with disabilities in higher education in Ireland to develop key action points for designing technology-friendly inclusive university settings. They are inviting students with disabilities…... Read More
NLN Jobseekers Training Course
October 14, 2020National Learning Network (NLN) Bray are now recruiting for their FREE Jobseekers training course. This course will give students the confidence and skills to support you getting a job in…... Read More
Better Options College Fair
September 30, 2020Better Options is a college fair for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties that will take place online from 10.00am-4.00pm on 28th November 2020. Ideal for adults returning to…... Read More
Free Universal Design for Learning course
August 6, 2020AHEAD and UCD Access & Lifelong Learning are running a free 10-week introductory Digital Badge course on Universal Design for Learning for staff working in Higher Education and Further Education…... Read More
NLN Bray courses August 2020
July 8, 2020National Learning Network (NLN) Bray is now enrolling for course starting in August 2020. The NLN supports people aged 16-65 who have experienced a setback, accident, mental health issue, illness…... Read More
WAM Employers Information Webinar
July 7, 2020The WAM programme at AHEAD is running an information session for employers who are interested in finding out more about the programme. When: Tuesday 14th July from 12pm – 1pm. The WAM…... Read More
Free Sport Inclusion/Disability Awareness Workshop
July 7, 2020CARA is offering a free online Sport Inclusion & Disability Awareness workshop on 16th July 2020. Participants will gain increased awareness of people with disabilities taking part in sport and…... Read More
DARE to go to college webinar
June 17, 2020AHEAD and Trinity Student Union have partnered up to facilitate a FREE webinar for incoming first year students with disabilities seeking to start third level courses in any higher education…... Read More
Gerard Byrne Bursary 2020
May 21, 2020Applications are now open for the NCBI Gerard Byrne Bursary 2020 for students with a vision impairment entering into or currently in full-time third level education – the closing date…... Read More
Webinar: Creating Accessible PowerPoint Presentations
May 20, 2020AHEAD is offering a free Creating and Delivering Accessible PowerPoint Presentations Webinar on the afternoon of 2nd June 2020. This introduction online session, facilitated via Zoom, will be a live…... Read More