Step 7: Indicate if you wish to disclose a Disability/Specific Learning Difficulty and apply for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

Table 1.6 HEIs participating in the DARE scheme or operating schemes for school-leavers with disabilities

Table 1.7 Other HEIs operating admission schemes for school-leavers with disabilities

If you wish to disclose a disability or specific learning difficulty, click on the ‘Modify Disability/SLD (and DARE Application) Status’ button on the online application form and follow the instructions provided - for most institutions, you must complete this part of your application before 1 March at 5:15pm. If you would like to provide more information on your Disability or Specific Learning Difficulty, please complete the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) before 1 March at 5:15pm. This will allow the HEIs to consider any specific support needs you may have in a HEI. You will be instructed to complete the SIF form when you select ‘Modify Disability/SLD Status’ on the online application form. Instructions for completing the form and submitting documents are included in the online form.

Some HEIs take account of the impact of your disability and/or specific learning difficulty on your educational performance through the provision of alternative admissions schemes. If deemed eligible for these schemes applicants may receive a reduction in points for entry to courses in participating HEIs. To be considered for entry to a course applicants must satisfy matriculation/minimum entry and subject requirements. Full details on the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) and instructions for submitting a DARE or HEAR application may be found in the DARE HEAR Application Handbooks, at www.accesscollege.ie and at www.cao.ie.

There are other admissions routes for mature and QQI FET/FETAC Level 5/6 applicants; further information is available on HEI websites.

Applicants applying for DARE must:

1. Be under the age of 23 as of 1 January 2021.

2. Apply to CAO by 5:15pm on 1 February 2021.

3. No later than 5:15pm on 1 March 2021 you must disclose your disability and/or specific learning difficulty in your CAO application and fully and correctly complete Section A of the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) (the SIF is part of your CAO application).

1. If you wish to be considered for DARE you must answer yes to question 1 on Section A of the fully completed SIF by 5:15pm on 1 March 2021.

4. Download Section B of the SIF (Educational Impact Statement), have it completed by your school and returned to CAO to arrive by 5:15pm on 15 March 2021.

5. Download Section C of the SIF (Evidence of Disability), have it completed by the appropriate medical professional (only if you do not already have a report verifying your disability) and returned to CAO to arrive by 5:15pm on 15 March 2021. In place of Section C, applicants with a specific learning difficulty are asked to provide a full psycho-educational assessment completed by an appropriately qualified psychologist.