Part-Time Students With Disabilities Get Huge Boost With Extension Of State Fund
A report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), has concluded that a State fund for students with disabilities is to be extended to include students who are studying part-time.
According to The Irish Examiner, the review showed that the number of students the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) has helped since 2008, has trebled.
The fund allows third-level and further education to assist students in access funding and organizing supports on campus.
The review found that half of the students who benefit have specific learning disabilities and 10% of students have multiple disabilities.Those with a serious ongoing illness accounted for 8% while 9% of students were said to have mental health problems.
The report also advised that the fund be increased by almost €600,000 per year, in order to help students in need. In the last 9 years, the number of students who have benefited from the fund have soared. More that €70 million has been administered to more than 38,000 students.
Last year, the fund helped 10,500 students , compared to just 3,800 in 2008. The support for students encompasses assisted technology, extra learning support, personal assistants but mainly focuses on exams.
According to the report by RSM UK Consultants:
The FSD has had a positive impact on students’ decisions to progress to further/ higher education and without support they would have struggled to remain.
Although the majority of the students who took part in the study were satisfied their needs were being met, one in five were not happy with the level of support they received.