My name is Catherine Short, and I’ve been going to the UCC for the past four years.  This is actually my fifth year, and I’m studying law.  I’ve been living here for the last year and a half.

This is one of the best colleges in the country, from a disability point of view.  When I was looking at colleges, I looked at a whole range.  This was by far the best; it has the best facilities, the best services for people, a good law program, and it’s been working out really well.  I’m very happy here.  I’ve been here since 2001 and I did a three year law degree.  In 2004, I then went for a post-graduate study in law, which involves a thesis, and that’s taken two years.  Hopefully, I will finish that in the coming April or May. 

I went to Dublin in 2004 for work experience, which I got through the disability office here at Cork from the career guidance counselor.  It was through the Disability Legal Resource, which is basically a provider of legal information for people with disabilities.  I worked in an office in Dublin , and we to different seminars for legal purposes and dealt with queries from people on their legal problems.  It was a great experience, and I learned a lot by putting the theory into practice for the first time.  I met so many people and the accommodation that I stayed in was very suitable.  It was just a very good experience.

How is Cork , in terms of accessibility?

The city of Cork , I must say that it wasn’t great.  Patrick Street was a mess; they only started recently to do it up for a capital of culture.  Over the last few years, it has vastly improved.  Patrick Street is totally accessible now.  The main parts all over Cork are often accessible because the streets have been resurfaced.  I’d say that the main streets are the best; if you go to less popular streets, it won’t be as accessible.  Fortunately, when I go into town, it’s often only into the main part for the cinema, shopping, or various other main places.  I could see myself staying here because I know the accessibility is great and constantly improves. 

Cork is the European Capital of Culture for 2005.  As a major city in the European Union, a host city that already has a lot of culture will become a capital for a year and host events year-round.  In 2004, it was in France and it will be Liverpool in 2006.  Basically, there are various concerts and arts and events to highlight the city.  It is a big deal; we’ve been preparing for this for the last few years.  There’s been signs and fliers for years.  There was a big opening in the first week in January with fireworks and ceremonies.  A few famous people were there; it was all live on TV.  It’s a big deal. 

How do you get from your residence to downtown and the city?

There are a number of different ways I can get around.  I can try to get a wheelchair accessible taxi, which is in theory is not too hard to get, but at night time it would be.  I can get the bus, which stops just outside my gate.  Now most of them are accessible because they have those ramps that I can just roll on.  They were only introduced in 2000, so there are still a handful that are not yet accessible; it’s a potluck.   It can be frustrating at times when you are in a hurry to get downtown and the only buses that came are not accessible.  The other way I can get into town is by walking in.  It’s not far, only about 10 – 15 minutes on a good day.  Finally, there is Cork Accessible Transport service specifically for people with disabilities.  It’s all lift-operated into a van and you’re clamped down.  It’s all perfectly operated but the only problem is that you have to book it in advance so there can be problems.  Personally, I mostly use the bus or a taxi. 

How are the housing accommodations?

Housing wouldn’t be the best.  I’m on a housing list at the UCC, and I’ve been on it since I came here five years ago.  It’s a long wait.  A lot of houses are not accessible, even when there was a time I was looking on my own for an apartment in the city.  This apartment now is the only completely accessible apartment, with a hoist for me, an accessible shower, a bed.  As big as apartments might be, there is always one thing that is probably missing, and houses are the same thing.  There are houses going up all the time, and I’m waiting to get the call that one was built for people with wheelchairs.  Unfortunately, I’m having no luck getting one right now even looking on my own.  It’s not a great situation but hopefully it will improve over the years.

Have you seen Cork as a whole improve since the Capital of Culture Events?

I think it has improved not since the events, but maybe since it was announced the improvements were made.  Whatever the reason, I have seen improvements along most of the main streets; they’re just as good as they are in Dublin now.

What advice do you have for other students studying abroad?

If you’re really serious about it, go for it.  I speak for Cork , because I’m here, but it is very good.  Maybe I’m a bit biased, but from my experience, the support services are brilliant.  The will support you with everything from notetaking to finding books in the library to assigning you a personal assistant, or anything else you need help with.  However, don’t limit yourself to Cork ; things will have improved at other universities since I began college.

An American student would have to do a lot of research before planning to study abroad.  If they could, they should come over and talk to people here, if possible.  Before I came to college, I came down here a good few times before I started to speak with the disability support office, to look at the facilities to see what would suit me and where I could and couldn’t go.  It may be wonderful here, but there are many old buildings and there are some places that I cannot go.  For example, if I wanted to study archaeology but the department is located on the second floor of a building with no elevators, that needs to be taken into consideration when looking at schools.  However, the disability office here can work with the professors to put the class on the first floor upon request. 

What has your relationship been like with the disability service center?

Our relationship has been very, very good.  They’ve really helped me settle into college.  I don’t think I could have coped without them.  That sounds corny, but it’s true.  When I first arrived, I was shy and naïve.  They did all the work, spoke to the law department on my behalf, tried to sort out tutorials, venues and lecture times for me.  In my second year, they weaned me off and let me do a bit of it myself.  They just gave me confidence first of all because they walked me through it until they saw I could do it myself.