Students of the Pioneering Trinity College Course for People with Intellectual Disabilities Graduate
Posted on: 16 February 2008
Graduation Ceremony of the first class of students of TCD course for people with intellectual disabilities – the only course of its kind in Ireland
The first class of students of a pioneering university course for people with intellectual disability graduated at a formal awards ceremony on February 15th in Trinity College Dublin. Nineteen students were awarded the Certificate in Contemporary Living when they graduated at the ceremony.
The two-year course run by TCD’s National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID), is the first full-time course of its kind in the university sector in Ireland and is recognised internationally as being unique. One of the key aims of the course is to promote lifelong learning for people with intellectual disabilities and to ensure that this third level education leads to appropriate employment opportunities.
There are three aspects to the certificate – academic learning, personal growth and career development. Over the two-year certificate, students complete modules in English and Spoken Communication, Mathematics and Financial Management, Social Studies, International Awareness and Music among other areas.
Commenting on the aims of the course, NIID Director, Dr Patricia O’Brien said: “People with intellectual disability are one of the most marginalised groups in Irish society. Specifically, with regard to education, the abilities of people with intellectual disability have been underestimated and as a result, their potential has often remained dormant. It is internationally recognised that lifelong learning is an essential requirement if full participation and inclusion is to be achieved. Through NIID’s pioneering Certificate in Contemporary Living, we have developed a course which aims to enable the development of the full potential of the students with an intellectual disability”.
Since completing their studies the nineteen students have gone on to work in various sectors including office administration, retail, catering and libraries.
Commenting on the significance of the occasion, TCD Provost, Dr John Hegarty stated: “The work of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability and its certificate programme form key elements of Trinity College’s commitment to increasing the numbers of students with a disability attending the College. The full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities is central to the society we live in and its future. The graduation of these nineteen students today in NIID’s Certificate in Contemporary Living sees the culmination of the students’ hard work throughout the course. It is also a historic occasion in educational terms which sees the graduation of the first cohort of students from the country’s first full-time third level course for people with intellectual disabilities.”
Notes to the Editor:
About the National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID)
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) was established at Trinity College to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disability and their families. The Institute works to ensure that the basic human rights of people are upheld associated with access to:
- Appropriate education
- Health Services
- Employment
- Housing and social amenities.
- Community presence and participation.
The NIID promotes lifelong learning for people with intellectual disability through:
- The Certificate in Contemporary Living, an inclusive education programme involving Trinity staff and Trinity students undertaking professional degrees
- Development and implementation of inclusive research practice
- Analysis and commentary on relevant legislation and policy
- Parent/family education
- Consultancy and partnership with service and advocacy agencies
- Public Education.
NIID’s development to date has been made possible through the support and funding of the following: The Atlantic Philanthropies, The Ireland Funds, Joe Corcoran, The Kathleen Rooney Miller Fund, Special Olympics Ireland, Denis O’Brien and Thomas Crosbie Holdings.
NIID gratefully acknowledges this support and also funding received from: the Department of Education and Science, Higher Education Authority, European Commission Marie Curie Fellowships, National Disability Authority, National Council for Special Education and The Fulbright Commission.