Irish Stammering Association (Irish Stammering Association)

Lobbying Organisation Irish Stammering Association

Date published 19 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details Advocated for formal accommodations in the Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE) for secondary school students who stammer

Intended results In Junior Cert and Leaving Cert oral exam components, there are no official provisions or RACE guidelines to support secondary school students who stammer. Without appropriate accommodations, students who stammer are at a disadvantages compared to their peers. The ISA are advocating for the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to update the 2025 RACE guidelines to include accommodations for students who stammer such as extra time and an informed approach from examiners.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Penny Farrell

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

Email Subject: Advocating for Accommodations for Students Who Stammer in Oral Exams Email highlighting the current absence of 'stammering' as an additional need in the SEC RACE Guidelines.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)