Education

Business Partners Programme

National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) is one of Trinity College Dublin's most innovative initiatives with a mission of inclusion through education, research and advocacy.

Within the area of education, it promotes inclusion through the pioneering Certificate in Contemporary Living. This is the first full-time course for students with intellectual disabilities to be offered within a third-level setting in Ireland and is highly innovative in international terms. Since it was introduced in 2006 forty students have graduated, sending a powerful message to the world about the ability and potential of people with intellectual disabilities.

Certificate in Contemporary Living

The Certificate focuses on academic learning, personal growth and skills development for students and consists of modules across the areas of social sciences, expressive arts and career planning.
The aims of the course are to;

• Facilitate lifelong learning for students with intellectual disabilities
• Develop skills for independent living
• Promote the full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in Irish society

A key objective of the Certificate is to enable the students to make the transition to independent living. Students are supported in securing work placements in diverse areas such as office work, retail, catering, hospitality, childcare and voluntary and community organisations.
 
This experience is of huge benefit for the students in terms of increased independence, autonomy and
self-esteem and has opened up pathways for graduates to further education and training, to volunteering opportunities and in some cases to permanent employment.

Sustaining Innovation

The Certificate in Contemporary Living is an innovation that Trinity is proud of but, in these challenging times, we need the imaginative support of partners in social responsibility. To help sustain this pioneering course for the future, we are inviting companies to join us in a new venture –
the NIID Business Partners.

Acknowledgments

The NIID’s mission is strongly supported by partners in business who play a vital role in advancing the Institute’s innovative work. We acknowledge and thank our Business Partners:

Accenture
Bord Gais
Bus Eireann
Chartered Accountants Ireland
Citi
Dublin Bus
Eircom
HSBC
Irish Life & Permanent
Irish Rail
Irishjobs.ie
Starbucks
StateStreet Bank
Thomas Crosbie Holdings
Trinity Association & Trust
Ulster Bank

For more information on how to get involved please see our full brochure