Mr. Somhairle Brennan:

There is a very good foundation within HEIs and third level institutions that staff are able to build on in terms of training but USI believes further training is required in particular to manage disclosure of disabilities and hidden disabilities. Basic training is required to understand how to use the technology that is provided to support students. Having an understanding of such technology will ultimately benefit the students in the long run. There is also a need for training on the wider societal impacts disabilities can have on students, and taking those issues into account.

Many staff in third level will have a basic understanding of disability and how to support it. However, the societal impact that these pressures will have on students in both a social and academic sense are often much wider than what they see in the classroom. Having the training to manage the potential effects on mental health and well-being on top of the basic struggles of living with that disability is incredibly important.