Targeted supports for PhD candidates with additional needs

Ireland is proud to support a diverse student population, and that extends to PhD candidates. Doing a PhD can be an intensive, draining and stressful process, but that stress can be amplified if you have additional needs due to your identity, nationality, disabilities, or neurodivergences.

There are institutional supports available for accessing education and providing support for needs such as accessible study space and assistive technologies. Institutions will have policies on supporting doctoral candidates with additional needs.

National supports

Catherine’s Law

A relevant legal exception allowing doctoral candidates to receive their disability payment in addition to their PhD stipend.

Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI)

The Disability Federation of Ireland is the umbrella body of disabled persons organisations (DPOs) and has membership from different NGOs and charities representing people with disabilities.

AHEAD - LaunchPAD

AHEAD, the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability is an independent non-profit organisation working to promote full access to, participation in, benefit from and contribution to third level education by people with disabilities in Ireland. They operate a postgraduate research community known as LaunchPAD, in collaboration with the National Disabled Postgraduates Advisory Committee.

IUA Guidance for Viva Voce Examiners and Supports for Doctoral Candidates who Require Access Accommodations

A document from the Irish Universities Association guiding examiners on how to support doctoral candidates with access requirements.

Local supports

University disability support services (DSS)

All HEIs in Ireland operate a disability support service which offer a range of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities managing their academic work, tailored to individual needs.

ADHD Ireland

ADHD Ireland is a national level non-profit organisation dedicated to providing up-to-date information, resources and community building opportunities to individuals with ADHD.

AsIAm Ireland

AsIAm is Ireland’s Autism charity, and provide evidence-based advice, resources, and guidance for neurodivergent people in Ireland.

Neurodiversity Ireland

Neurodiversity Ireland is a national registered charity dedicated to celebrating different brains and unique thinkers and building truly inclusive communities across Ireland and provide free events and webinars to the neurodivergent community.

NeuroQueer by ShoutOut

NeuroQueer is a new resource aimed at exploring combined LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent identities and providing comprehensive supports for those with both identities.
 

LGBT Ireland

LGBT Ireland offers a national helpline (1800 929 539), online chat, peer support groups, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland)

TENI provides support and advocacy for trans people and their families.

ICCL Know Your Rights: A Guide for Trans and Non-Binary People

The above is a new publication in the Irish Council for Civil Liberties Know Your Rights guide, with targeted advice on living as a trans person in Ireland.

International student supports

Euraxess Ireland

Euraxess Ireland is the Irish branch of the EU mobility office and provides information and support to researchers considering Ireland for their research career.

Irish Council for International Students (ICOS)

ICOS provides training, advice and support for knowing your rights as an international student, particularly in relation to visa processing, immigration, working and racial discrimination.

Irish Network Against Racism (INAR)

INAR operate an anonymous reporting service for racial discrimination in Ireland, however serious incidents should always be reported to An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s policing service.

For those coming to Ireland from outside of the EU/EEA there are further considerations that apply.

  • What is the procedure for applying for visas and how long does it take?
  • What requirements are there? For example, applicants must demonstrate that they have access to sufficient funds to support them during their studies.
  • What requirements are there for bringing family members to Ireland whilst I study for a PhD?
  • What work will my visa allow me to do whilst I pursue a PhD?
  • What health care would I have access to?

Again, institutions will be able to provide information to candidates, and for those who have an offer to study, their supervisory team may also provide support. 

Further information is available:

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