Students who are successful in their Additional Needs application will be allocated a room on campus or in Trinity Hall. Some students will be prioritised over others for on campus accommodation based on their specific requirements.
In Trinity-owned accommodation, we recognise the importance of providing Additional Needs applications on disability grounds to ensure that disabled students who meet specific criteria have the opportunity to apply for a room that accommodates their unique needs. It is our commitment to creating an inclusive living environment that supports all students' accessibility requirements.
However, it is crucial to note that the number of rooms available to cater to these Additional Needs is limited. Quotas are set by the Registrar of Chambers (campus accommodation) and the Warden of Trinity Hall. While we strive to accommodate as many students as possible, it is important to acknowledge that not all applicants will be successful due to the restricted availability of rooms.
Continuing, disabled students should complete the Online Accommodation Application Form AND the Additional Needs Route in February of the year of application and apply the guidance set out below. The application process will remain open for 4 weeks. Please see the Accommodation Office website for timelines.
Evidence of Disability
Students registered with the Disability Service do not need to provide evidence of their disability with their application. However, it’s important the Disability Service has up to date and correct documentation on file for you in order to advocate for the needs you’ve outlined in your application form.
Incoming, disabled students should complete the Online Accommodation Application Form AND the Additional Needs Application Form in March of the year of application and apply the guidance set out below. The application process will remain open for a number of weeks. Please see the Accommodation Office website for timelines.
Additional Needs: Category A or Category B?
Category A is for students who wish to receive reasonable accommodations from the Disability Service and who would like the impact of their disability taken into consideration when applying for accommodation on campus (Trinity Hall included).
Students who tick Category B will have their applications reviewed by College Health, Student Counselling or the Tutoring Service.
Applications will be reviewed for a second time before offers are made by the full Accommodation Application Committee.
Guidance on Completing the Additional Needs Application Category A
To ensure a thorough understanding of students' accommodation needs, it is highly recommended that they provide as much information as possible on the Additional Needs form. This comprehensive approach will enable the accommodation team to assess the significance of their specific requirements accurately. By including detailed and relevant information, students can effectively communicate the extent to which their disability or specific needs impact their living arrangements.
When completing the Additional Needs form, students should consider the following guidelines:
- Describe the nature of your disability or specific needs: Provide a clear explanation of the disability or condition that significantly impacts your living arrangements. Include specific details about the challenges you face and how these difficulties affect your day-to-day life.
- Specify accommodation-related requirements: Identify the specific accommodations that are necessary for your well-being and comfort. This can include features like wheelchair accessibility, adjustable furniture, specialised bathroom facilities, deaf alerters, or any other relevant aspects.
- Communicate preferred room location: If you have specific preferences for the location of your room (e.g., proximity to certain facilities or accessibility features), you should mention this on the form.
Evidence of Disability
All incoming, disabled students must provide evidence of disability as supporting documentation with their application forms. Supporting documentation can be emailed to the email address stated on the Additional Needs application form.
Need Help with Your Application?
If you have questions about accessing the application forms, please contact the Accommodation Office as they are managing the accommodation application process.
If you’d like to discuss your accommodation needs, please contact your Disability Officer by emailing askds@tcd.ie or you can call to the disAbility Hub in Printing House Square during drop-in hours, 12pm - 2pm weekdays.
Don’t forget to check out the Accommodation Office's guide on applying through the Additional Needs route.
In Trinity Hall, there are 7 wheelchair-enabled rooms on the ground floor. There are other accessible rooms in Trinity Hall, however, these rooms are located on floors other than the ground floor and would not be considered fully wheelchair accessible.
On the Trinity campus, there are 36 accessible rooms. The level of accessibility of these rooms varies given the age of some of the buildings in which they are located and some may not be fully wheelchair accessible. Rooms in Goldsmith Hall and Printing House Square are accessible by lift. Rooms in older buildings are located at ground level or via a ramp at entrance level.
Wheelchair User Accommodation Checklist
If you are a wheelchair user and are applying to live on campus, you will need to go through this checklist with the Accommodation Office when you’ve been offered a room to ensure it is fit for your needs.
- External Access – Can you access the building in which your room is located?
- Is there a ramp up into the building?
- Is the door automated?
- Is the doorway wide enough for your wheelchair?
- Internal Access – Can you access all rooms within your apartment?
- Are all doors automated?
- Are the doors wide enough for your wheelchair?
- Does the furniture layout enable you to navigate the apartment in your wheelchair?
- Supports and Services
- Are the emergency cords in the bathroom and by the bed in working order?
- Are the grab rails in the bathroom sufficient for your use? Are they at the correct height? Are any fixtures in their way that may impede your use of them?
- Do you need grab rails installed at your bed?
- Do you require a shower seat?
- If you require adaptive devices for cooking, ergonomic furniture etc, you must supply these yourself.
- Room Tour – Ensure you request a room tour of the room you’ve been offered to identify any additional needs you may have.
You will need to speak with the Disability Service about completing a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) with the Fire Safety Officer to ensure your safe evacuation from your accommodation in the event of a fire.
We also encourage you to download the SafeZone app.