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Disability and Learning Support Service

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

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DARE is a supplementary admissions scheme for school leavers who because of the impact of their disability may not meet the competitive CAO points for the programme of their choice.

The following disabilities are eligible for consideration under DARE:

  • Asperger’s Syndrome / Autism
  • Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Blind/Vision Impaired
  • Deaf/Hearing Impaired
  • DCD Dyspraxia/Dyspraxia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Neurological Conditions (incl. Brain Injury, Speech and Language Disabilities)
  • Ongoing Medical Condition (incl. Epilepsy, Diabetes, Crohn’s Disease)
  • Physical Disability
  • Specific Learning Difficulty (incl. Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)

 

How to apply for DARE?
  • Apply to the CAO before the 1st February and indicate that you have a disability/specific learning difficulty
  • You will then be directed to an Online form and asked to submit evidence of your disability by 15th March
  • For a complete guide on how to apply to DARE please see www.accesscollege.ie

 

How many places are available in DCU under DARE?

DCU reserves 5% on programmes for eligible DARE applicants, some programmes with *Restricted Entry are excluded from DARE.

 

How do I get a place in DCU under DARE?

For eligible DARE applicants to be considered for a place in DCU they must obtain:

                                        AND

  • Achieve any relevant specific programme requirements.

                                        AND

  • Achieve a minimum of 300 points and get within 75 CAO points to be considered for DARE in DCU, as DCU applies a maximum point reduction of 75 points for DARE applicants.

If you are eligible for DARE you should note that due to the high demand and limited places in DCU you are not guaranteed entry. Available places are offered to those students ranked highest by the points scale.

Resources:

www.accesscollege.ie

 

AHEAD and DAWN have launched a new tool to assist students with disabilities who are planning on going to college. It helps you to track your path to college step by step and gives you lots of great information and advice: Please follow this link for access to the tool:  Disability Access Map