Special Educational Needs
Funds for Students with Disabilities (FSD)
We Apply Through SOLAS For Your Funding
The purpose of the FSD is to provide resources to further and higher education institutions for the delivery of key services and supports for students with disabilities on full-time courses.
The FSD aims to support the personal, educational and professional development of the participating student and contribute to the achievement of their full potential.
Who is eligible for support under the Fund?
To be eligible for support under the FSD, a student must meet the following conditions:
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have a verifiable disability.
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meet the Nationality and Residency Criteria
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be a participant on a full-time or part-time course, have a verified need for specific supports to enable attendance on their chosen course.
For more information from the HEA click here
Eligible expenditure
For all institutions funding can be used to provide supports and accommodations in any of the following four categories:
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Assistive technology equipment and software
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Personal assistance
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Academic/learning support
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Transport.
Ineligible expenditure
For all institutions the Fund does not cover expenditure on any of the following:
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assessment or diagnosis of a disability;
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any medical equipment, assistance or support;
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services that can reasonably be expected to be provided by the college (e.g. counselling service) or by another agency (e.g. local Health Service);
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course-related equipment, books, materials or software (i.e. applicable to all students on the course);
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support or assistance provided outside the academic year, or periods during the academic year when the college is closed;
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Subsistence, mileage and accommodation costs for personal assistants, note-takers, speed-text operators or ISL interpreters; and
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staff training and development policy work or research
The Open Learning Centre
Hello and welcome to the Open Learning Centre (OLC). The Open Learning Centre is the Special Educational Needs/Disability Support Service in Cavan Institute. You will find us on the Ground floor in Block B, Room B004. Email access@cavaninstitute.ie
Complete the Student Support Form
We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment in relation to students with special educational needs/disabilities and make provision wherever possible to facilitate access and participation in the academic courses and student life of the Institute. The objectives of Cavan Institute with regard to special educational needs/disabilities are to ensure that students:
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feel they are part of the Institute
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develop self-esteem and confidence
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enhance personal and interpersonal skills
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reach their own potential at their own pace
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are able to progress in further education/higher education and/or employment.
Who can register with the Open Learning Centre?
Registration with the OLC is a separate process to registering as a student with Cavan Institute. Students with evidence of a disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty can register with the OLC. You can register with the OLC at any point during your studies; however, we recommended that you register as soon as possible after accepting your place on a course or once you have started your course. It can take time to arrange and implement any support you may require so we would encourage you to contact us in good time so that we can ensure you have everything in place at the earliest possible opportunity.
Why register with the OLC?
Registration with the OLC allows you to avail of supports and reasonable accommodations. The most common type of reasonable accommodations and supports which students avail of are Exam accommodations and subject support.
Supports and accommodations are approved on the basis of:
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the nature and impact of your disability, health condition, or learning difficulty
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the requirements of your course
Register with the OLC
Cavan Institutes encourages students with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities to disclose information of their disability/specific learning difficulty when they apply to the college or at any point during their studies.
Needs Assessments
An individual needs assessment will help determine the level of support a student requires based on appropriate evidence of disability and information obtained from the student on the impact of their disability
Special Educational Needs Support Team
We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment in relation to students with special educational needs/disabilities and make provision wherever possible to facilitate access and participation in the academic courses and student life of the Institute.
Special Needs Co-ordinator
Maureen Lynch
Special Needs Teacher
Faela Heavin
Types of Supports Available
The primary aim of the support team is to support students for the duration of their course and enable them to achieve their educational goals and objectives. The diagram shows the supports that are available depending on the student’s needs.
Students can access support in the following ways:
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The student can disclose their SEN on the application form by selecting YES in the special educational need section. A Student Support Form is then sent to the student and they can outline their disability and forward the relevant documentation
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The Student can disclose the information to their Tutor or the Support Team during the year
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The Student may be referred by a tutor with the student’s consent to the Support Team by filling out the Referral Form on SharePoint in the Open Learning Centre folder
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A Drop-In Service is also available in the Open Learning Centre.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please get in touch. You can apply online through our website. We have a FAQ page and course fees are easily accessed.