I am taking my Leaving Cert in June 2007. I was diagnosed with dyslexia while in primary school, and have had a number of hours of one-to-one support, throughout secondary school. I was also granted a spelling and grammar waiver for my Junior Cert, and have applied for it for my Leaving Cert. I have been doing quite well in my exams to date, and have As in Technical Drawing. I would love to secure a place in architecture, and have been doing a portfolio preparation course for the past year. My guidance counsellors has been encouraging me to indicate on my CAO application that I have a diagnosed disability. I am hesitant to do so, in case it goes against me in the assessment process. Should I tick the disability box? Could it damage my chances?

Your guidance counsellor is giving you very sound advice. I can guarantee you, and any other student who has the necessary psychological reports and other documentation supporting the existence of a diagnosed disability, that far from having a negative effect on your chances of securing your preferred college choice, all colleges make specific provision to take into consideration the individual circumstances of students who present with properly documented disabilities.

Third-level colleges have been developing supports for students with disabilities in recent years, and many of them have invested considerable resources in both dedicated personnel to facilitate students with a disability as well as making the necessary infrastructure changes to accommodate students with physical disability issues. However, none of these supports can be set up unless the student with a disability ticks the disability box on the CAO application form. Once you do, you will then be sent a Supplementary Information form, to complete and send back to the CAO by March, which will be passed on to every college listed in your CAO application.

Many third-level colleges operate a supplementary entry system, which recognises the disadvantage of disability and enables you to enter the course below the points required. This varies from one college to another: in some, it is up to 15 per cent below the mandatory points; some operate quota systems; in others, it is decided on an individual basis.

The reasons some students have been reluctant to indicate that they have a disability go beyond the fear that it will affect their chances of receiving an offer. Some students do not disclose their disability because they do not want to stand out, and feel that as they coped fine in second level, they will be able to cope in college.

However, third level is a much more challenging place than second level. Students have to deal with extensive reading, note-taking and essay-writing, and are expected to direct and organise their own learning.

Unfortunately, many students realise their mistake only when it is too late to get the support they would be entitled to.

All third-level colleges have a disability or access officer, or principal in PLC centres, to work with disabled students, to identify the supports and accommodations they may need. Many students with dyslexia may benefit one-on-one tuition, or a laptop with software such as TEXT HELP GOLD, which scans materials directly and then reads the scanned document. In order to get these supports, you must show that your disability has had an impact on your ability to study or perform academically, for example if you take 20 per cent longer to read or write. These supports are funded through the National Access Office Fund.

Any prospective third-level student with a disability should contact Ahead at East Hall, UCD, Carysfort Ave, Blackrock, Co Dublin, tel. 01-7264396, e-mail ahead@ahead.ie or check out www.ahead.ie

Brian Mooney is former president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.

E-mail questions to bmooney@irish- times.ie