Question 1

What is the Reasonable Accommodations in Certificate Examinations (RACE) scheme?

Accepted Answer

The Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE) scheme is a program designed to provide support and accommodations for students with special educational needs during state examinations in Ireland, such as the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams.

Key aspects of the RACE scheme include:

Purpose: It aims to remove barriers to access and allow students with disabilities or special needs to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in exams without compromising the integrity of the assessment.
Eligibility: The scheme is for students with various special educational needs, including learning difficulties, physical disabilities, visual or hearing impairments, and other medical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural conditions.

Types of accommodations:
Examples include:
Enlarged or Braille versions of exam papers
Use of assistive technology (e.g., voice-activated computers, screen readers)
Provision of scribes or readers
Extra time or rest breaks
Exemptions from certain exam components (e.g., aural tests for hearing-impaired students)

Application process: Schools apply on behalf of eligible students to the State Examinations Commission (SEC). Applications require information about the student's condition, educational needs, and supporting documentation.
Timing: Accommodations granted at the Junior Certificate level are likely to be carried forward to Leaving Certificate exams, subject to reactivation and confirmation that the need still exists
Principles: The scheme is based on principles that ensure fairness, integrity of assessment, and appropriateness of accommodations to individual needs.

The RACE scheme is an important tool for ensuring equal access to state examinations for students with special educational needs in Ireland.

Question 2

What is dyslexia and what therapies can help people with dyslexia

Accepted Answer

Dyslexia is a common learning disorder that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell accurately and fluently. It is a neurological condition that impacts how the brain processes language, particularly in recognizing and using the sounds that makeup words .

Key aspects of dyslexia include.

Prevalence: It affects as many as one in five children.

Symptoms: People with dyslexia often have trouble decoding words, reading fluently, and comprehending text. They may reverse letters (e.g., reading "pot" as "top"), struggle with phonological awareness, and have difficulty with spelling and writing .

Causes: While the exact causes are not fully understood, dyslexia is believed to have genetic components and is associated with differences in brain anatomy and activity.

Diagnosis: There's no single test for dyslexia. Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive evaluation of a person's development, educational issues, medical history, and specific reading and language abilities.

Therapy for dyslexia focuses on improving reading skills and developing strategies to manage challenges.

Some key therapeutic approaches include:

Educational techniques: These involve specific approaches to teach reading, writing, and language skills. Early intervention is crucial for better outcomes.

Orton-Gillingham Therapy: This is a structured, multi-sensory approach that teaches phonics, decoding, spelling, and comprehension using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques.

Phonological Awareness Training: This therapy focuses on enhancing the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language, which is often impaired in individuals with dyslexia.

Assistive Technology: Tools like text-to-speech software, speech recognition programs, and audiobooks can help individuals with dyslexia access information more easily.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This can be beneficial for managing emotional challenges associated with dyslexia, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and frustration.

Question 3

What is the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)?

Accepted Answer

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a supplementary admissions scheme designed to support school leavers with disabilities in accessing higher education. This scheme is particularly aimed at students whose disabilities have negatively impacted their academic performance, making it difficult for them to meet the competitive Central Applications Office (CAO) points required for their preferred courses.

Key Features of DARE

Eligibility:
DARE is available to school leavers under 23 years old as of January 1st of the year of application.
Applicants must have a disability that has significantly impacted their educational performance.
Eligible disabilities include Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism, ADHD, vision or hearing impairments, dyspraxia, mental health conditions, neurological conditions, ongoing medical conditions, physical disabilities, and specific learning difficulties like dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Application Process:
Applicants must apply through the CAO and indicate their disability by February 1st.
They must complete the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and submit supporting documentation by March 15th.
Required documentation includes an Educational Impact Statement and evidence of the disability, which must be provided by a qualified professional.

Admission Criteria:
DARE offers places on a reduced points basis, meaning students may be admitted to courses with fewer points than typically required.
Applicants must still meet the minimum entry and specific course requirements.
The points reduction varies by institution; for example, Dublin City University (DCU) applies a maximum reduction of 75 points, while the National College of Ireland (NCI) applies a reduction of 50 points.

Support Services:
Once admitted, students must register with the Disability Service at their institution.
They will receive tailored support, which may include orientation programs, study skills workshops, assistive technology, and mentoring.

Participating Institutions:
Many Irish universities and colleges participate in the DARE scheme, each reserving a quota of places for eligible students.
The scheme is part of a broader effort to promote equality of access to higher education, alongside the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) for socio-economically disadvantaged students.
For more detailed information and guidance on the application process, prospective applicants can visit the Access College website or consult their school guidance counsellor.

Educational Assessments

Educational Psychological Assessments play an important role in the diagnosis of:

An Educational Assessment includes:

Frequently Asked Questions

For further information and to arrange an appointment

email me: kieran@edpsychology.ie

087 288 9110