Courts / Dublin / Report

Art student with Down Syndrome had typed signature 'forged' on assessment document, mother alleges

Date
2024-11-18

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Ellie Dunne, a 25‑year‑old art student with Down Syndrome, has lodged an equality complaint against the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) under the Equal Status Act 2000. She alleges the college failed to provide reasonable accommodation during her first semester, starting in September 2023, and that discrimination continued when NCAD required her to re‑sit an assessment on a module she was studying. Her mother, Katy McGuinness, told the Workplace Relations Commission that an educational support worker was initially available only two days a week and was unfamiliar with the studio techniques needed. A friend of Ellie's, who had supported her for 17 years, was initially planned to accompany her but was later excluded from support sessions. Internal correspondence revealed tutors' concerns that Ellie was not doing much work during class time, concerns that were not communicated to McGuinness. In October 2023, Ellie failed the module, prompting further correspondence and meetings.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Art student with Down Syndrome had typed signature 'forged' on assessment document, mother alleges. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

September 2023 Other
October 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
August 2023 Other
19 October Other
November 2023 Other
12 September Other
8 March 2024 Other
2024-11-18 Publication

Why: We can't even drive down Thomas Street any more with Ellie in the car because she's so upset going past NCAD – about what happened there," Ms McGuinness added. CNI source report