If you are applying for the Preliminary Examination, the FE-1 or the Qualified Lawyers’ Transfer test and you have a disability as defined in law, you may qualify for certain supports. The appropriate supports will depend on the nature of your disability but can include additional time, reader or scribe, use of assistive technology, alternate exam location or rest break.

In order to access the appropriate supports you are required to complete the Disability Registration form. Your disability registration must be accompanied by a report or letter from relevant consultant/ specialist/medical professional, which:

• is current;
• specifies the nature/name of the disability;
• addresses the impact of the disability on your ability to undertake examinations; and
• confirms that the reasonable accommodations which are sought (and should be listed) are medically necessary.

If you have an injury or a temporary condition that is affecting you for a short period of time (usually less than 12 months), you might qualify for certain examination supports. You must submit a completed application form and provide recent medical documentation that must cover the examination period. This medical documentation must:

• confirm a specific diagnosis of an injury or a temporary condition;
• be from a GP or other health professional e.g., hospital consultant, counsellor etc.
• be signed and stamped
• be on headed paper;
• contain your name and details; and
• be dated.

Accommodations are provided as standard or non-standard Reasonable Accommodations.

A standard Reasonable Accommodation is defined as an amendment to the candidate’s examination which enables them to participate fully in the examination.

Standard reasonable accommodations for examinations might include the following:

• Extra time to complete each examination paper.
• Dictation to a scribe: (someone to whom you dictate your examination answers).
• A Reader: will read and re-read part or all of the examination paper as well as any part of the candidate's text as requested.
• Use of a Computer and Assistive Technology in Exams: The candidate may be allowed to complete their exam on a computer with the aid of assistive software.
• Spelling and grammar waiver: this is given by the examiner to accommodate for the educational disadvantages experienced by candidates with a specific learning disability resulting in poor grammar and spelling.
• Separate examination rooms and invigilators: this facility may be useful if the candidate is using assistive technology or is using an educational support worker (PA) or sign language interpreter.
• Alternative Venue for Exams: for medical reasons a candidate may require an alternative venue for examinations.

A non-standard Reasonable Accommodation occurs when the Law Society may need to consider providing alternative non-standard accommodations where standard Reasonable Accommodations are not sufficient to meet the needs of the candidate. 

Notification of disability to examiner
The Law Society may notify examiners of your disability at your request. All examination papers are marked anonymously, and the candidate’s identity will never be disclosed to examiners. When marking scripts from participants with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs), examiners are advised to follow marking guidelines as detailed in >Appendix 5 of the Disability Registration form.

Examinations Officer

• Tel: 01 672 4802
• Email: dsexams@LawSociety.ie
• Address: Examinations Manager,
  Law Society of Ireland (Wood Lane),
  Blackhall Place,
  Dublin 7.

If you have a disability, it is strongly recommended that you register for support with the Student Support Service. The Service can assist you throughout your Blackhall journey with its wide range of supports. 

When completing your Professional Practice Course (PPC) application, you will complete a Disability Notification Form 1 (DN1). If you indicate that you have a disability on the DN1 form you will be contacted by the Student Support Service with an invitation to complete a Disability Notification Form 2 (DN2).

You are not obliged to disclose your disability, but the option will always be available for you to do so.

Upon receipt of the Disability Notification 2 (DN2), the Disability Supports Advisor will organise to meet you for a needs assessment.

A needs assessment takes into account the nature of the disability, course requirements, and individual differences. Reasonable accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis through this needs assessment by the Disability Supports Advisor. The content of the needs assessment meeting and document is confidential and will not be shared with others without your prior consent.

Information from the needs assessment will inform the Learning Educational Needs Support (LENS) document. The LENS document summarises your agreed  supports or reasonable accommodations for your education and examination arrangements. It will be signed by you and the Disability Supports Advisor and shared only to the extent necessary to ensure the appropriate education and learning and assessment supports are in place for you.

LENS reports can be reviewed and amended if, for example, circumstances change and /or additional information is provided. The participant can contact the Student Support Service at any time to request a review and update of a LENS report.

The Law Society offers various supports and reasonable accommodations to encourage sustainable growth and learning. The following are examples of such accommodations and supports:

• Assistive technology: a range of hardware & software assistive technology packages and devices are available such as Jaws, ClaroRead, Read & Write Gold, Livescribe smartpen.
• Assistive Technology Trial Service: Participants can trial various devices and software to find what best meets their needs.
• Alternative Format Textbooks: mostly these take the form of electronic formats which can be read using screen reading software.
• Copies of lecturer's notes and/or power-point slides: provided to all participants before lectures.
• Study skills and learning support: as required by an individual’s disability
• Personal assistant: a student may require the assistance of a P.A. to assist with personal functions.
• Loop system: available in lecture theatres.
• Mobility orientation: to familiarise participants with the routes to and from lectures, the canteen, the library, as necessary.

A Disability Allowance is paid by the Irish government. 

• Learn more and apply for the Disability Allowance

Detailed information on Social Welfare entitlements is available from Citizens Information.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is funded by the Irish government.  It provides funding to institutions to provide supports and services to ensure that eligible learners with disabilities can participate on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers. Please note that you cannot make individual applications to this fund and the money is not provided directly to you. The Law Society receives a per capita allocation based on the number of students who are applied for reasonable accommodations with the Disability Service and are seeking supports.

The National Access Office in the Higher Education Authority (HEA), administers applications and decides who is eligible for funding under this scheme. To check whether you are eligible for funding under the scheme please visit the FSD website.