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DARE Applicants

Find the information you need on how to apply for students with a disability.

Jump to: How to Apply | How Many Places | How Offers Are MadeApplication Process Videos | DARE Information Leaflet


DkIT believes that all students make a valuable contribution to our community – none more so than students with a disability. We extend a warm and supportive welcome to such students and will do everything we can to help you fulfil your potential.

The Institute continually works to improve access for people with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties to its programmes. The admissions route is the same for all applicants i.e. through the Central Applications Office.


Admission Route for Applicants with a Disability

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level supplementary admissions scheme for school leavers who, because of the impact of their disability may not meet the competitive CAO points for the programme of their choice. DkIT is a participating college in the DARE Scheme.

The following disabilities are eligible for consideration under DARE:

    • Asperger’s Syndrome / Autism
    • Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
    • Blind/Vision Impaired
    • Deaf/Hearing Impaired
    • DCD Dyspraxia/Dyspraxia
    • Mental Health Condition
    • Neurological Conditions (incl. Brain Injury, Speech and Language Disabilities)
    • Ongoing Medical Condition (incl. Epilepsy, Diabetes, Crohn’s Disease)
    • Physical Disability
    • Specific Learning Difficulty (incl. Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)

How to Apply for DARE:

    • Apply to the CAO before the 1st February and indicate that you have a disability/specific learning difficulty.
    • You will then be directed to an online form and asked to submit evidence of your disability by 15th March.
    • For a complete guide on how to apply to DARE please see www.accesscollege.ie.

How to Apply to DARE 2023 from CAO on Vimeo.

The videos below give an overview of DARE and a breakdown of the DARE application process. All these videos have been taken from http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=dare&bb=accessroutes.

DARE Application Video by Section  

1. What is DARE?

  • What Colleges take part in DARE?
  • What disabilities/conditions are considered by DARE?
View Video on CAO

2. Is DARE for me?

  • This video explains the Educational Impact Indicators.
View Video on CAO

3. How do I apply to DARE? Part 1

This video explains:

  • How to apply to DARE
  • How to complete the online Supplementary
  • Information Form (Section A) Questions 1 – 5
  • How to Carry Forward Eligibility from 2021 to 2022
View Video on CAO

4. How do I apply to DARE? Part 2

  • Sections B & C Supporting Documents
  • This video outlines what supporting documents are required to complete your DARE application.
View Video on CAO
5. Summary of the DARE Application Process View Video on CAO
6. What happens after I complete my application? View Video on CAO

DkIT Entry Requirements:

You must achieve the minimum entry requirements for each course and meet any programme specific requirements. Minimum entry requirements vary from course to course and are listed under each course on our course listing page


How many places are available in DKIT under DARE?

DKIT reserve a maximum of 5% of places on each programme for eligible DARE applicants.


How DARE offers are made:

DARE eligible students who meet minimum entry requirements and specific subject requirements are eligible to compete for a reduced points place on any of DkIT programmes. DARE applicants will be considered for reduced points places when they are within a 10% range of the cut-off point at the time when the DARE offers are made through the CAO. In recognition of national targets to increase the number of students with sensory and physical disabilities, DkIT will prioritise applicants within these target groups when making DARE offers.

All DARE course offers will be made via CAO.

For further information and Supporting Documentation Forms 2022 for applying to DARE please visit http://accesscollege.ie/dare/


DARE Information Leaflet

For more information about DARE and the application timeline please download the leaflet below.

Download DARE Information Leaflet

Queries about applying to DkIT as a student with a disability?

  • Geraldine Kneel
  • Student Disability Officer