The number of students with disabilities going on to third-level education has risen by more than 55 per cent in the past three years, according to the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (Ahead).
In 2006, 1,026 students with disabilities went on to third level, but by this year the figure had risen to 1,591.
The organisation published the statistics in advance of the Better Options Fair for students with disabilities, which takes place at UCD this Thursday.
Ann Heelan, director of Ahead, said the organisation was delighted to see the rise in the number of students with disabilities going to college, but warned it was essential the supports for these students were not cut in Wednesday’s budget.
“Mainstream education cannot provide the necessary assistance, so the support for students with disabilities is hugely important,” she said.
“The Government must realise that cutting such assistance only costs the State more in the long run.”