A week of events promoting awareness of hidden disabilities got underway in University College Dublin (UCD) yesterday.
Students' Union officials hope the promotion will serve to debunk stigmas surrounding disability.
The week-long programme will see the UCD Students' Union taking a three-pronged approach to dealing with disability, with the education, welfare and campaigns offices promoting equality for disabled students.
Hidden Disability Awareness Week is the second awareness campaign to be held in UCD this academic year. It follows a week of events which focused on accessibility for people with disabilities on campus.
Vivian Rath, the UCD Students' Union welfare officer, said the week's main focus is to make students aware of hidden learning disabilities and to ensure people who have a learning disability avail of the support services available to them on campus.
"We want to ensure that all students have a level playing field within the university and that they also have an opportunity to do as well as their peers in class by availing of the help and support on offer to them in UCD," he said.
Tonight, an on campus discussion with the topic "Irish legislation only pays lip service to those with disabilities" will be hosted by the UCD Law Society in conjunction with the Students' Union.
The discussion will see a number of speakers defending both sides of the argument, including Niall Crowley of the Equality Authority, Caroline Casey, the founder of the Aisling Foundation, an organisation promoting a positive image of disability, as well as a number of speakers from within the university.
UCD Students' Union, deputy president Ciara Brennan said the discussion covers a "topical and emotive issue" which is close to students' hearts, because of its potential effect on their education.
"We feel it is vital that those whose opinions have been bypassed are given an opportunity to argue the merits or demerits of the legislation as it currently is," she said.
A campus-wide dyslexia awareness campaign will also be launched this week. It will provide students with an opportunity to visit a drop-in clinic where they can be tested for hidden disabilities.
The Dyslexia Association will erect stands on campus and a poster campaign will also attempt to highlight that students may have learning disabilities they are unaware of.
Mr Rath said that one in 10 Irish people suffers from dyslexia and, considering UCD has a student population of 22,000, there probably are students who have learning disabilities but are not availing of help.
"We want to assure students that it is okay to seek help for a hidden disability," Mr Rath said. "Once they know of their disability, students can be provided with reading support, they can receive exam scripts in alternative formats, and tutors are also available to offer assistance in many different subjects."
A Students' Union publication on who to contact if you have a learning difficulty will also be launched.
The booklet provides information on defining learning disabilities, offers advice on treating the problem and lists the help available in UCD.
The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (Ahead) will host a careers event as part of the week's programme. Students will be provided with tips on CV writing and advice on disclosing their disability to potential employers.
