The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.
Disabilities eligible for consideration include:
Autistic Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger’s Syndrome)
ADD / ADHD
Blind / Vision Impaired
Deaf / Hard of Hearing
DCD – Dyspraxia
Mental Health Condition
Neurological Condition (Incl. Brain Injury & Epilepsy)
Speech & Language Communication Disorder
Significant Ongoing Illness
Physical Disability
Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia & Dyscalculia)
DARE Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must provide the required evidence of their disability and provide an Educational Impact Statement from their school to be considered for DARE.
This means you need to have experienced a negative impact on your second-level education because of your disability in order to qualify for DARE – statement from school (attendance, results, health, wellbeing, learning support).
Students who qualify for HEAR and for DARE will be prioritised for reduced points in 2023.
KEY DATES
If you are considering applying for DARE please let your Guidance teacher know and if you have a SET teacher they may assist you in completing the Educational Impact Statement. You may also ask Ms. Marie Mc Laughlin, AEN (SEN) coordinator for senior students (room 306D or 212) to help you complete it.
Educational Impact
Has your disability impacted on a combination of the following?
1. Have you received intervention or supports in post-primary school?
2. Has it impacted on your attendance or regularly disrupted your school day?
3. Has it affected your school experience and well-being?
4. Has it impacted on your learning or exam results?
5. Has it caused any other educational impact?
6. Required for applicants with a Specific Learning Difficulty: is it severely impacting on your literacy or numeracy skills?
Benefits of DARE
You may get into college for less points. But you will not be entitled to any extra financial help.
A FULL BOOKLET ON APPLYING TO DARE IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD HERE
You may need to get:
A report from your medical consultant / psychiatrist / educational psychologist describing your condition MAY BE REQUIRED – CHECK WITH YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR.
For hearing / vision difficulties the consultant report from your ophthalmologist / audiologist has no age limit.
For SLD/Dyslexia:
Applicants with Dyslexia/ Significant Literacy Difficulties or Dyscalculia/ Significant Numeracy Difficulties MUST also have two literacy attainment scores or one numeracy attainment score at or below the 10th percentile (Standard Score of 81 or below) from testing carried out on or after 1 February 2021.
These attainment scores can be from one (or a combination) of the following sources:
Scores from school-based attainment testing.
Scores from attainment tests carried out by a psychologist.