Atlantic Technological University is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where
every community member is valued and supported in reaching their full potential.

Under the Equality Act 2010, Universities have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where disabled students may be placed at a disadvantage in comparison with non-disabled students. Reasonable adjustments enable you to access and participate in learning, assessment, university facilities and services.

The definition of disability as set out in the Disability Act, 2005 is as follows:

1. the total or partial absence of a person’s bodily or mental functions, including the
absence of a part of a person’s body,
2. the presence in the body of organisms causing or likely to cause, chronic disease or
illness,
3. the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of a person’s body,
4. a condition or malfunction which results in a person learning differently from a person
without the condition or malfunction,5. a condition, disease or illness which affects a person’s thought processes, perception of
reality, emotions or judgement or which results in disturbed behaviour.
A disability is significant, long term and/or enduring in nature, lasting longer than a year and
shall be taken to include a disability which exists at present, or which previously existed but
no longer exists, or which may exist in the future, or which is imputed to a person.

As outlined in the Equal Status Act 2000 (as amended), a reasonable accommodation is any
action that helps to alleviate a substantial disadvantage due to a disability and/or a
significant ongoing illness. At ATU, reasonable accommodations for students with a
disability aim to ensure equality of participation for students with disabilities, learning
differences, or significant ongoing health conditions, enabling them to achieve programme
and module learning outcomes.

Some examples of reasonable adjustments are:

• Exam or Assessment adjustments (e.g. extra time, use of a PC, etc.)
• Support with reading and research (e.g. extended book loans, assistance to locate or/and collect research material, access to alternative formats, etc.)
• Access to specialist equipment and assistive software (e.g. text to speech to assist with research and proofreading, mind mapping to assist with planning and organising your work, a recording device to assist with note taking, etc.)
• Access to handouts and notes in advance of taught sessions
• Additional support from your tutors (e.g. assistance to catch up on missed work or to check your understanding, as required)
• 1:1 Support (e.g. Mentoring, Study Skills tuition etc.)

You can view the ATU Reasonable Accommodations for Students policy here.

Reasonable Accommodations will help to alleviate a substantial disadvantage due to a disability and/or a
significant ongoing illness that you may have.