Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has announced new initiatives to support autistic students and those with an intellectual disability access to third-level education.
The proposals, allocate ring-fenced funding of €3 million a year to 2025 so higher education institutions can implement universal design and inclusive practices on their campuses, and enhance opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.
Funding in 2022 will be directed towards universal design and inclusive practices. This includes improving campus accessibility improvements such as supporting autism friendly campuses such as wayfinding apps, signage, small-scale capital works such as autism-friendly spaces such as sensory rooms or quiet zones.
The funding this year may also be used for training and professional development for staff, including training resources and recruitment of specialists, to develop and enhance of inclusive teaching, learning and assessment practices. Funding can be used to make services available at times which suit students’ needs.
Technology-based solutions that support inclusive practices in teaching and learning, and training for students to support learning and utilising assistive technology and upgrading students’ digital skills will also be supported.
Later this year, a competitive funding call will issue to colleges seeking proposals for 3-year pathfinding pilot programmes supporting the creation of how to assist students with intellectual disabilities. Funding for approved programmes or courses will be rolled out over 3 years, starting in 2023.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said, “We have never focused on how many students with an intellectual disability or autism have entered or completed third-level.
“These new proposals will allow us to assess how we are doing but crucially, we will be introducing new policy changes to ensure we do better.
“Education is the greatest leveller in society. A key ambition for me is to ensure that supports and opportunities are provided for learning to all. This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, people who are most marginalised and people with special and additional needs and assisting them in accessing and progressing through third-level education.”
The proposals will form part of the National Plan for Equity of Access, Participation, and Success in Higher Education.
Minister added, “This is an important day and I really want to thank everyone for working with us to make this a reality. This has the potential to change the lives of autistic students and students with intellectual disabilities.”
Welcoming the initiatives, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Anne Rabbitte said:
“Under Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, we have a duty to ensure we have an inclusive education system at all levels and lifelong learning directed to the development by persons with disabilities of their personality, talents, and creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities, to their fullest potential.”
“People with disabilities in Ireland have equal rights of access to education, but there is much more work to be done to enable people with disabilities to vindicate their right to education, particularly in Further and Higher Education.
The New Action Plan is a key piece of work in Ireland’s overall efforts to achieve the objectives of the convention.”