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Neurodiversity Group

UCD Neurodiversity Group

Page Updated: 05th September 2024

This working group has been established in 2021 to better understand UCD’s campus climate in relation to neurodiversity and to make recommendations and progress actions that aim to make UCD an equitable, supportive and neurodiversity friendly environment for all in which to study and work.

Membership

  • Dr Blánaid Gavin, School of Medicine (Chair)
  • Dr Alice Clancy, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy 
  • Dr Tom Flanagan , School of Medicine
  • Dr Timothy Frawley, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
  • Dr Jeffrey Glennon, School of Medicine
  • Professor Lizbeth Goodman,  School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
  • Tobias Gunning, Access Leader
  • Professor Eilis Henessey, School of Psychology
  • Darragh Kane-O'Toole, Disability Rights Campaigns Coordinator, UCD Students’ Union
  • Dr Cliona Kelly, School of Law
  • Aishling Kennedy-Dalton, Estates
  • Beth Kilkenny, College of Health and Agricultural Science
  • Tina Lowe, Campus Accessibility Officer, Access and Lifelong Learning
  • Eoin Mahon, Resourcing Unit
  • Catriona Nicholls, Access Leader
  • Dr Cliódhna O'Connor, School of Psychology
  • Eimear O’Reilly, Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion Unit
  • Dr Lisa Padden, Access and Lifelong Learning
  • Sue Philpott, Director, College of Engineering and Architecture Office
  • Danielle Smart, College of Social Science and Law
  • Fiona O'Donnell, School of Psychology

Objectives

Specifically, the group will focus its attention on the following key activities:

  1. Carry out a gap analysis of existing UCD policies and procedures using the Neurodiversity Hub gap analysis protocol.
  2. Identify opportunities in UCD’s existing policies, programmes and practices to enable a neurodiversity friendly campus and to consider the development of new policies and practices to demonstrate UCD’s commitment to neurodiversity.
  3. Engage with students and staff to gain a more in-depth understanding of perspectives and lived experiences concerning neurodiversity in UCD.
  4. Identify best practice internationally to inform initiatives and actions relating to neurodiversity in the university sector.
  5. Raise awareness and understanding of neurodiversity through online masterclasses, awareness raising programmes, training and the development of a dedicated webpage. A commitment to neurodiversity training for employees. This may include mainstreaming into other relevant equality training and teaching initiatives.

Visit the UCD Neurodiversity Celebration Week webpage to find out more about a host of webinars, blogs, masterclasses, podcast mini series and initiatives exploring the concept of neurodiversity. 

Find out more about UCD Neurodiversity initiatives, staff network, webinars, masterclasses and podcast on the UCD Neurodiversity webpage

Contact UCD Equality Diversity and Inclusion

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
E: edi@ucd.ie