Equality

Equality is essential within modern society and something that affects us all not just those in a minority group. WIT places great value in having a diverse student population. Equality in WIT has five major focuses; students with disability, LGBT students, gender equality, international students and mature students. Help breakdown stereotypes and fight against discrimination within third level education. Get inlvolved this year and stand up for education not discrimination.
Please feel free to contact the student union at any time if you feel that you or somebody else is being bullied or discriminated against.

Useful information for international students:
Daily Life and Basic Practicalities

Languages
While Irish is the first official language of the Republic, English is the first language of the majority of the population outside the Gaeltachtaí.

Weather
Ireland has a mild, temperate climate with summer temperatures ranging from 16-20 degrees Celsius. In winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing point, but it can feel quite cold because of frequent rain and wind.

Time
Ireland observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the winter. However, Irish summer time is GMT plus 1 hour. The dates of change are the last Sunday of March and October. The clock goes forward by an hour in March and back by an hour in October.

Public Holidays
There are 9 public holidays (called Bank Holidays) in the year. These are composed of the first Mondays in May, June and August and the last Monday in October, plus New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day (17th March), Easter Monday, Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day (26th December). Any dates which fall on a weekend will carry over to the Monday following.

Telephone Services

Mobile phones are widely used in Ireland and phone companies offer both pay-as-you go and monthly contract plans. It is important to shop around and to understand exactly what the costs will be.
Mobile phones can be expensive for international calls so phone cards and call centres may offer alternatives:
Call Centres: some Internet cafes now have phone booths where you can make cheap long distance phone calls. Normally you are given a rate per minute and you pay when you have completed your call.
International Phone cards: these come in different values and are sold widely in newsagents. Call prices per minute can seem very low but it is important to check the small print for connection charges. Cards are best used from a landline phone as as they are usually more expensive when used from a public telephone box.

Smoking Regulations

Smoking is forbidden in enclosed places of work in Ireland. This includes office blocks, various buildings (including cinemas, theatres etc), public houses/bars, restaurants and company vehicles (cars and vans). Smoking is also prohibited on public transport e.g. buses, trains etc.
For more information contact the International Student office 051 302724

http://www.icosirl.ie/student_information
http://www.wit.ie/International/international.pdf

Disability

Whether your disability is physical, sensory, mental or if you suffer for a chronic ongoing illness – there are supports available for students with disabilities.

Disability

Disability Act 2005

Key Points to Note from the Disability Act 2005

In short, the Disability Act 2005 places a statutory obligation on public service providers to support access to services and facilities for people with disabilities. Under the Act, people with disabilities are entitled to:

1. Have their health and educational needs assessed.
2. Have individual service statements drawn up, setting out what services they should get.
3. Access independent complaints and appeals procedures.
4. Access public buildings and public service employment.

General Suggestions

All third level students generally find strategies for coping with their new environment early in the first academic year. The following suggestions will help:

• Become knowledgeable and comfortable discussing your disability and the way it affects you academically.
• Develop your own support system by confiding in a trusted friend, counsellor, or family member. You will benefit by having someone to help you think through the strategies to support your academic efforts.
• Stating your academic needs at the beginning of the year will make you feel more prepared and organised and will allow the college to accommodate your needs in a timely manner.
• Try to maintain a healthy balance between the academic, social and athletic activities in your schedule.
• Join a club or society. Do not isolate yourself.

Useful Links

AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access & Disability) has a website with very extensive information about going to college, specific supports available and more for student with disabilities. They also work with graduates and employers, and have a programme to promote mainstream access to the labour market for graduates with disabilities. Their website is: www.ahead.ie

Quest for Learning is an excellent website targeted at students, teachers and employers around disability issues. It includes topics on study skills, disability awareness and employability skills.
Click the link below to visit the Quest For Learning website: http://questforlearning.org.