Information on post-school options, further education and training, higher education and finance and supports.
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. Progress Review published in 2018. There was a consultation in 20221 on the new 2022-2026 plan.
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.
Dyslexia Ireland: Accessing College and Further Education
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
Power of Disability Conference
February 1, 2024AHEAD and the Union of Students in Ireland are running Power of Disability Conference on 7th and 8th February 2024. The two-day event will include discussions, presentations and feedback sessions…... Read More
Webinar: Inclusive Education & Employment
January 24, 2024AHEAD are holding a free online webinar: Changing Landscapes: Research Insights from Inclusive Education and Employment, on Monday 12th February from 11am-3pm. The webinar is for researchers, employers, tertiary education…... Read More
Better Options Online Fair
October 24, 2023Ahead’s Better Options online fair for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties takes place via Zoom from 10am-1pm on Saturday, 18th November 2023. What: Free 1 day online event for…... Read More
ARK Accessibility courses
August 3, 2023ARK is offering five free online courses on digital accessibility in tertiary education. ARK is AHEAD’s home for digital accessibility resources and know-how in tertiary education – with lots of…... Read More
Dyslexia and Me workshops
June 13, 2023The Dyslexia Association of Ireland is running Dyslexia and Me self-esteem and empowerment workshops for young people in August. Dyslexia and Me aims to introduce young people to the…... Read More
GATHER: Assistive Technology (AT) Event
May 4, 2023AHEAD, in partnership with AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), are holding a free three-day online assistive technology (AT) event – GATHER –…... Read More
Power of Disability Virtual Conference
December 12, 2022AHEAD and the Union of Students in Ireland are running a free online Power of Disability Conference on 25th and 26th January 2023. This two day event will include discussions,…... Read More
Embracing Your Dyslexia Workshop
September 21, 2022Calling all adults with dyslexia! The Dyslexia Association of Ireland is holding an Embracing your Dyslexia workshop on 22nd October 2022 from 10am to 1pm. The workshop focuses…... Read More
TU Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities course
August 24, 2022TU Dublin has a new Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities Programme starting on 21st September 2022. The course will take place every Wednesday from 11.00 – 13.00 and run for…... Read More
Vision Sports Ireland Youth Leadership Programme
August 8, 2022Vision Sports Ireland’s 2022 Youth Leadership Programme takes place over six weeks beginning Sunday 25th September 2022. The programme is open to 13-16-year-olds and will guide the participants through…... Read More
DigiAcademy app for people with intellectual disabilities
August 4, 2022A new app co-created by people with intellectual disabilities offers basic information technology skills training for people with intellectual disabilities. The DigiAcademy app has been developed as part of a…... Read More
Building the Future
July 7, 2022GetAHEAD are holding a free Building the Future careers event for students and graduates with disabilities on Wednesday 31st August. The event will be hybrid, so you can choose to…... Read More
Free Career Guidance Workshop
May 4, 2022Are you a person with a disability looking to plan your career path, but not sure where to start? Bray Area Partnership’s IMPACT Initiative is running a free Career Guidance…... Read More
Free Interview Techniques Workshop
March 3, 2022Are you someone with a disability who would like to feel more confident when applying for jobs? Check out this free online Interview Techniques Workshop from Bray Area Partnership’s IMPACT…... Read More
Power of Disability Conference
January 11, 2022AHEAD and the Union of Students in Ireland present the Power of Disability Conference 2022 on 20th and 21st January. This two-day event will include discussions, presentations and feedback sessions…... Read More
Dyslexia in the Workplace course
January 11, 2022Dyslexia Ireland’s next Dyslexia in the Workplace course starts on 1st February 2022. Dyslexia Training Course for the Workplace – delivered online and live via Zoom in spring 2022. The four-week course…... Read More
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