News
Staff News
8 February 2012
The NIID and the School of Social Work and Social Policy are pleased to welcome a new colleague, Dr Fintan Sheerin, to the National Institute for Intellectual Disability. Dr Sheerin takes up the post of Acting Academic Director at the Institute. Dr Sheerin is a lecturer in intellectual disability nursing at Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery. Since he commenced nurse training 24 years ago, he has worked with people who have intellectual disabilities in many service areas and none.
One of his earliest roles was as an educator, providing preliminary education to a class of five teenagers with intellectual disabilities and severe behavioral challenges. More recent contact with people with intellectual disabilities in the context of the participatory action group, ID Rights, caused him to significantly change his perspectives on disability and brought him into the area of social action and human rights. This is his philosophy and driving force and is finding expression through critical pedagogical endeavour. His research areas include the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, women with disabilities' experience of public health services during pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood and LGBT. He is currently leading an evaluation of a community-based initiative at a Dublin intellectual disability service. He teaches on the B.Sc. in intellectual disability nursing, on the Bachelor in Social Studies and the M.Sc. in Disability Studies. He is vice-president of the European nursing informatics association, ACENDIO and is exploring the role of eHealth in achieving better health outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities. He has published widely in intellectual disability and nursing journals.
Volunteer News
1 February 2012
The NIID are delighted to welcome Ms Noel Paton Rodriguez to the Institute. Noel will be volunteering in the NIID until June and will work specifically with the CCL team to further her knowledge of the delivery of an education programme for adults with ID.
Noel's visit has the support of the Grundtvig Assistantship of OAPEE (European Education and Training Program) which is a training programme that assists professionals involved in the education of adults with ID experience other similar programmes across the EU.
Noel's background is in the education of adults with ID. Her degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid is in Psychopedagogy. Within this programme she was also involved in other projects that promote the social inclusion for graduate students.
Facilitation Skills 15th February-4th April
16 December 2012
The course of eight two-hour sessions will provide participants with an understanding of the theory and skills of facilitation and enable them to achieve competence as a facilitator. It will be delivered by John Kubiak, National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID), School of Social Work and Social Policy and Dr. Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Centre for Non-profit Management, School of Business, Trinity College Dublin. Enquiries: akenned@tcd.ie Applications by post to: The Executive Officer, National Institute for Intellectual Disability, School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, 4th Floor, 3 College Green, Dublin 2. Details printable version. Download booking form
M.Sc. in Disability Studies Seminar Series
16 December 2011
Public Lecture by Prof. Roy McConkey
The next in the series of seminars hosted by the M.Sc. in Disability Studies will take place on Monday, March 6th 2012 from 4.30pm - 6.00pm in the NIID 4th Floor, 3 College Green. To book a place please contact akenned@tcd.ie
The title of the talk is: National datasets: Their contribution to monitoring and improving services
Prof. McConkey's lecture will focus on the National Intellectual Disability Database and a series of longitudinal studies conducted over the last 10 years in Ireland. National datasets have been promoted as the major driver for reforming service provision and monitoring improvements. These studies, conducted in collaboration with the Health Research Board, reveal that the intra-country variation on demographics and service usage of people with Intellectual Disabilities in Ireland is particularly marked. Prof. McConkey will discuss how Ireland could lead Europe in demonstrating if this is indeed possible.
Roy McConkey is Professor of learning Disability at the University of Ulster with a joint appointment with the Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Board. He has worked in the field of intellectual disability for nearly 40 years and undertaken consultancies for various United Nations agencies and international NGOs in Asia and Africa. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Cape Town and with Trinity College, Dublin. In 2010 the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities selected him for their international award.
M.Sc. in Disability Studies Graduation
12 December 2011
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability is delighted to celebrate the graduation of our first cohort of graduates on the M.Sc. in Disability Studies. The knowledge and skills obtained by our graduates is particularly important at this time of tremendous change in disability policy and practice at both national and international level. Our graduates are very well placed to drive this change agenda and transform the disability landscape.
(L to R) Sue Kraftsoff, Amy O'Connor, Carline Thompson, Imelda Gaughan
Research Prize
7 December 2011
The Australasian Society of Intellectual Disability (ASID) has awarded their 2011 International Research Prize to an academic paper authored by Associate Professor Christine Linehan and colleagues from 14 countries throughout Europe. The paper, ‘Ageing and health status in adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of the European POMONA II study’ was recently published in the Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability (JIDD) as is awarded ‘the most outstanding contribution among all papers published in JIDD throughout 2011. The paper presents findings from a European Commission DG Sanco project that developed a set of health indicators for individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout Europe. This success follows from a similar endorsement in August 2011 when another paper from this research, published in the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, received the Francisco Garces Roca award from the Spanish Society for the Provision of Socio-health Care. ‘The P15 - a multinational assessment battery for collecting data on health indicators relevant to adults with intellectual disabilities’ outlines the development of the health indicator suite and its potential to highlight health disparities experienced by people with intellectual disabilities in Europe. Colleagues from the POMONA project will continue their dissemination strategies into 2012.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
6 December 2011
From left to right: Patricia Bray, Dr Suzanne Guerin, Anna Lawson, Associate Prof Christine Linehan, Eithne Fitzgerald, Martin Naughton, Prof Patricia Noonan Walsh, Prof Gerard Quinn
A celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was hosted at the Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin on Friday 2nd December. The event was co-hosted by all four disability centres throughout Ireland: the National Institute for Intellectual Disability at Trinity College Dublin; the Centre for Disability Studies at University College Dublin; the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway; and the Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Ulster. This is the first such event where all four university centres have collaborated.
Martin Naughton, Áiseanna Tacaíochta and Co-Executive Director of the European Network of Independent Living chaired the proceedings.
Guest speakers included Anna Lawson, School of Law, University of Leeds who presented on 'The Ivory Tower and the Real World: Academia and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'. Anna's presentation was followed by Professor Patricia Noonan Walsh, Professor Emerita of Disability Studies, University College Dublin who spoke on 'A Career in Disability Research'. Eithne Fitzgerald, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, National Disability Authority outlined a pathway for 'Translating Research into Policy'. Finally, Professor Gerard Quinn, Director the Centre of Disability Law and Policy, NUI Galway brought the proceedings to a close with a proposal for the establishment of a Disability Studies Association of Ireland. The idea was very well received by guests and a series of events to progress this idea in 2012 is underway.
Click here for pdf slides from Professor Patricia Noonan Walsh, University College Dublin who spoke on 'A Career in Disability Research'.
Click here for pdf slides from Anna Lawson, School of Law, University of Leeds who presented on 'The Ivory Tower and the Real World: Academia and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'.
Click here for pdf slides from Eithne Fitzgerald, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, National Disability Authority who outlined a pathway for 'Translating Research into Policy'
Click here for the proposal document outlined by Professor Gerard Quinn on options to establish a Disability Studies Association of Ireland. This document was prepared by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway. A follow up meeting will be hosted by the Centre for Disability Studies, University College Dublin on March 12th. Enquiries may be made to Niamh Heynen.
Enquiries regarding the day can be emailed to Niamh Heynen
QUART Centre Conference
5 December 2011
Carline Thompson, an M.Sc. in Disability Studies graduate, presented at the QUART Centre Conference www.qub.ac.uk/quart at Queen’s University Belfast on 18th November 2011. Carline’s presentation “The coping strategies and mechanisms of ethnic minority parents living in Ireland who have children with disabilities” was based on her M.Sc. dissertation work supervised by Dr. Paula Mayock. For more information on the presentation, please contact Carline Thompson at thopmscs@tcd.ie.
M.Sc. in Disability Studies Seminar Series
17 November 2011
Prof. Errol Cocks, Director of the Centre for Research into Disability and Society (CRDS) at Curtin University in Western Australia, gave a public lecture on Individualised Supported Living (ISL) for people with disabilities in Australia as part of the seminar series of the M.Sc. in Disability Studies. The lecture focused on Australian policies and practices that have contributed to the development of ISL for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Western Australia, based on person-centred principles and individualised funding. An ongoing research project that has developed an instrument for evaluating the quality of ISL arrangements was described. Click here for a pdf of the presentation.
For more information about the presentation, please email E.Cocks@curtin.edu.au.
Prof. Errol Cocks is a visiting scholar at the NIID with an international career and scholarship in education and research in the field of Disability Studies. For more information about Prof. Errol Cocks, please see his CV or the link to the CRDS.
NIID Summer School 2012
16 November 2011
The NIID Summer School 2012 has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Dublin City of Science 2012 Public Engagement Programme. Dublin City of Science 2012 will be a year long programme of events that will highlight the role and value of science in society. The NIID Summer School, first held in 2009, addresses the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in society. The NIID Summer School 2012 aims to engage the general public and members of the disability community in this important social science issue. The full programme for the NIID Summer School 2012 will be available on the NIID website in the New Year.
Work in Progress Conference Slovenia November 2011
16 November 2011
M.Sc. in Disability Studies graduate and lecturer, Amy O'Connor and Dr. Fintan Sheerin, participated in the Work in Progress Conference in Jesenice, College of Nursing Jesenice, Slovenia on the 10th and 11th of November, 2011.
Amy O’Connor presented her dissertation work “Service cutbacks and quality of life: perspectives of people with mild intellectual disabilities”. Amy said that presenting at Works in Progress was a great experience. She really enjoyed it and got great feedback from peers and other academics. For more information on this presentation, please contact Amy O’Connor at oconnoa4@tcd.ie.
Dr. Fintan Sheerin from the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Trinity College gave an introductory lecture on Health Professions and Social Action.
For more information on this presentation, please contact Dr. Fintan Sheerin at sheerinf@tcd.ie.
Works in Progress is an international seminar for master students in the caring professions. Dr. Fintan Sheerin, Lecturer in the M.Sc. in Disability Studies is a partner and founding member of the Works in Progress, an Erasmus intensive programme. This programme aims at linking students and faculties across disciplines and borders to promote common visions for developing and advancing knowledge in nursing and allied professions. The Works in Progress partners include Instituto Politecnico de Leiria, School of Health Sciences, Portugal, Oslo University College, Norway, College of Nursing Jesenice, Slovenia, and School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. For more information on the Works in Progress please contact Fintan Sheerin at sheerinf@tcd.ie.
Certificate in Contemporary Living 2011 Graduation
11 November 2011
Students of the pioneering university course for people with intellectual disability graduated at a ceremony in Trinity College Dublin’s Public Theatre today (November 10th). Twenty students were awarded with Certificates in Contemporary Living when they formally graduated at the ceremony.
The two-year Certificate in Contemporary Living course run by Trinity’s National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID), is the first full-time course of its kind in the university sector in Ireland. Based on its model, other courses are now being taught in a number of third level institutions both nationally and internationally.
The twenty students who successfully completed the certificate in summer 2011 is the fourth cohort to graduate from the programme.
John Power, Niamh Fortune and Tomas Murphy celebrate after graduating with a Certificate in Contemporary Living from Trinity College Dublin
One of the key aims of the NIID Certificate in Contemporary Living course is to promote lifelong learning for people with intellectual disabilities and to ensure that this third level education leads to appropriate employment opportunities.
Commenting on the significance of their achievement, NIID education officer, Molly O’Keeffe said: "Our graduates have overcome great challenges and struggles in their journey to achieve their goals. In achieving their ambitions, the students have also enabled the College and the wider community in developing a deeper understanding of the strengths and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. In supporting the roll-out of the Certificate in Contemporary Living programme amongst other third level institutions it also ensures educational opportunities across the country for this marginalised group.”
“Over the last two years, the graduate students have made enormous strides in their personal, social and learning development and made a wonderful contribution to campus life. Since finishing the course the students have successfully gained part-time employment, some have gone on to further their education in colleges and VECs around Dublin and others again are concentrating on moving out of home towards supported independent living in the community.”
Inaugural Award of the Margaret McLoughlin Prize for Achievement in Art presented to CCL graduate John Power
11 November 2011
Tony and Joan McLoughlin, John Power and John Kubiak. Presentation of award to John Power at The Long Room Hub, Trinity College
This year the graduation included the inaugural award of the Margaret McLoughlin Art Prize for achievement in art by a student of the Certificate course. The prize was established in NIID by a generous gift from the McLoughlin family and friends and was presented to NIID graduate, John Power, by Joan McLoughlin at a special reception preceding the graduation ceremony.
There are three aspects to the Certificate in Contemporary Living – academic learning, personal growth and career development. On the course students complete modules in English and spoken communication, mathematics and financial management, social studies, international awareness and music among other areas.
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.
Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
11 November 2011
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability, in conjunction with the Centre for Disability, Law and Policy NUIG, the Centre for Disability Studies UCD and the Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Ulster are pleased to invite you to: ‘Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities’. This half day event will be hosted at the Long Room Hub at Trinity College Dublin on Friday 2nd December 2011 from 2pm-5pm.
The event will explore the intersection between academia, research and disability studies. Dr Anna Lawson, University of Leeds will deliver a Keynote Address on ‘The Ivory Tower and the Real World’. A discussion will follow including contributions on a Career in Disability by Professor Patricia Noonan Walsh, Professor Emerita, University College Dublin; Translating Research into Policy by Eithne Fitzgerald, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, National Disability Authority; and a proposal by Professor Gerard Quinn, Centre for Disability, Law & Policy NUIG for the establishment of a Disability Studies Association of Ireland.
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability at Trinity College Dublin is delighted to host this event. While there is no charge to attend this event, registration is essential by contacting Marie.oconnor@ucd.ie or 01 7168333.
2011 State of the Art Conference, Washington DC - Post Secondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual disabilities
9 Nov, 2011
Tomas Murphy, CCL Graduate 2011 and Molly O’ Keeffe, Education Officer, NIID, travelled to America last week after they were invited to present at the 2011 State of the Art Conference on Post Secondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual disabilities. This is a yearly conference which is held at the George Mason University in Washington DC. As part of this trip, the pair were also invited to by the Young Leaders, Ireland Fund to present on the CCL Course in New York on their way to Washington.
On arriving in New York, Tomas and Molly spoke about the importance of third level education options for students with intellectual disabilities and the role of Trinity College as a leader in this area. Over thirty quests attended their presentation and these including members of the Ireland Funds and the Trinity Alumni. The pair then attended a concert in the Lincoln centre where the Irish Chamber Orchestra were performing on the night.
Tomas and Molly then travelled onto Washington DC, and presented an hour workshop entitled “Sharing a Model of Inclusive Third-Level Education in Ireland”. Their presentation highlighted strategies used for inclusion in Trinity College as well as the methods and materials used in the CCL course. It also discussed the change within Ireland around third level options for people with intellectual disabilities and how the NIID is currently supporting other third level institutions to set up courses.
Tomas was also invited to sit and present on a student panel which addressed “ What does “ Post Secondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities’ mean to Me?”
This trip has allowed the creation of partnerships and connections with six other universities in the USA. Groups from the George Mason University, New Found Land, University of Delaware and University of Vermont are keen to visit the CCL course in early 2012. Other universities including Syracuse University are also keen to create a partnership around the work of the NIID in the area of Inclusive research.
“I found the trip very good fun, it was a great opportunity to go and speak about the CCL course in New York and Washington. I met great people throughout the week. It was extremely hard work and involved a lot of travelling, and working long days but it was really rewarding. I am was happy to be part of the team and I gained a lot of knowledge about other courses. “ Tomas Murphy.
Alumni Awards 2011
NIID would like to heartily Congratulate Hugo McNeill on receipt of his Alumni Award last Friday November 4th. The award was presented to Alumni in recognition of achievements in their respective fields and the contribution they have made in Ireland and internationally. Hugo is a very dedicated supporter of the work done in NIID. Further information on the event are available on the Communications Office page.
Epilepsy Expert Day
Christine Linehan, Director of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability presented an invited address at Ireland's 1st Epilepsy Expert Day. The conference, supported by UCB (Pharma) and the Irish Chapter of the International League Against Epilepsy was hosted at the Dublin Convention Centre. Christine’s presentation, entitled ‘Epidemiology of the Epilepsies’ outlined the contribution epidemiology has made to the field of epilepsy. Dr Linehan identified certain groups of the population as being at higher risk of developing epilepsy, such as children living in developing countries and people with intellectual disabilities. Dr Linehan noted the lack of research in the area of intellectual disability in particular and called for greater awareness on this issue.
Value for Money Review
The disability sector is currently the subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review as part of Government's Value for Money Reviews for the period 2009 to 2011. The aim is to ensure that money allocated to the disability sector is used to best purpose to provide quality outcomes for individuals with disabilities. As part of the review, an Expert Group was established to examine current policy in this field, and to make recommendations for the development of the sector. The Expert Group has published a report outlining their findings, and have recommended some significant changes in the configuration of disability services nationwide towards a model of individualised supports. The report, which is now open to public consultation can be found at this link
NIID's submission to this consultation can be found at this link
Law Reform Commission Annual Conference
The NIID is pleased to support the Law Reform Commission Annual Conference “Sexual Offences and Capacity” on Monday 7 November 2011. For more information, please read here”
M.Sc. in Disability Studies Public Lecture
The M.Sc. in Disability Studies is delighted to announce the next seminar in a series of events which will be delivered by Prof. Errol Cocks, Curtin University, Australia. The title is ‘Individual supported living for people with disabilities in Australia: Policies, practices, and quality'. The lecture takes place on Thursday Nov 17th , 5.00pm -7.00pm, NIID, 4th Floor, 3 College Green.
This presentation will give a snapshot of how supported living was provided for disabled people in Australia in the period of 2008-2009 when more than half of persons who received accommodation support funding lived in community settings other than institutional accommodation or group homes.
Prof. Cocks will explain how policies and practices around individual funding and person-centred principles have enabled a distinct movement of supported living options from institutional to smaller, individual supported living in Western Australia. At this presentation Prof. Cocks will describe a research project that began in 2007 in Western Australia to develop a framework and instrument for reviewing the quality of individual supported living (ISL) arrangements. For more information about Prof. Cocks’ research, please see http://otsw.curtin.edu.au/research/
Prof. Cocks is Director of the Centre for Research into Disability and Society, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, and Director, Research and Graduate Studies, School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work at Curtin University. Prof. Cocks has held a number of additional roles in non-government and advocacy organisations in disability and mental health in Australia and the UK. He has taught and developed undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social policy, human services, and disability studies in Australia, the UK, and the Middle East. For more information about Prof. Cocks, please see http://otsw.curtin.edu.au/about/ot_staff.cfm?id=5
This is a free event which is open to the Public. To register, please contact: Niamh Heynen, National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 by Monday 14th Nov. Tel: +353-1-8968597, email: niamh.heynen@tcd.ie.
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability, M.Sc. in Disability Studies, Centre for Deaf Studies and the School of Social Work and Social Policy are pleased to welcome Professor Nora Groce, The Leonard Cheshire Chair and Director of the Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre, University College London, who will present a public lecturer entitled: ‘Why Disability and Deaf Studies Matter: Translating Research into Policy and Practice' on Thursday, 6 October 2011.
A medical anthropologist, Prof. Groce’s applied research has concentrated on the inclusion of persons with disability in global health and international development. Her work on deafness includes her 1984 book ‘Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha’s Vineyard’ one of the earlier ethnographies on deafness in the community. Dr. Groce is a regular consultant for UN agencies, NGO's and DPO's. She has published extensively.
Seminar Outline
With the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities there is a growing interest in and commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities are included in major initiatives in human rights, international health and development. Drawing on examples from both developed and low and middle-income countries, Professor Groce will discuss how the emerging body of research around disability and the Deaf community is being used to make changes to current policy and practice - and will also discuss where gaps in these field still exist that must be addressed by the next generation of scholars.
Date: Thursday, 6 October 2011
Venue: Long Room Hub, Trinity College
Time: 5.00pm - 7.00pm
To register, please contact: Niamh Heynen, National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 by Monday 3rd October.
tel: +353-1-8968597, email: niamh.heynen@tcd.ie.
New Mental Capacity Bill
The Government is expected to publish the new Mental Capacity Bill in late 2011. When the Bill is published, Ireland will move to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Before publishing the Bill, the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality asked for written submissions from interested groups for their views on the proposed Mental Capacity Legislation. NIID’s submission to the Oireachtas can be found at this link New Mental Capacity Bill
Research Assistant at the NIID awarded Doctoral Scholarship at University of Iceland
Ciara Brennan, Research Assistant at the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, has been awarded a doctoral scholarship at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik. Ciara writes ‘This September I bid farewell to the NIID to take up a 3 year position at the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik.
The position is part of a European research network of Marie Curie fellows entitled “Disability Rights Expanding Accessible Markets” (DREAM). The DREAM network will develop recommendations for the practical implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. My focus will be on the right to independent living as outlined in Article 19 of the Convention.
I would like to thank everybody at the NIID for their support and encouragement. I could not have dreamt of better mentorship and experience. A personal highlight is the way in which people with intellectual disabilities share their expertise with the research team. It is with great excitement that I embark on this new path, but sadness that I leave behind fond memories of my time here'.
National Institute for Intellectual Disability and School of Social Work and Social Policy welcome new colleague, Professor Errol Cocks
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) and School of Social Work and Social Policy are pleased to welcome Professor Errol Cocks BA (Uni. of WA) MPsych (UWA) PhD (Uni. of Queensland), Visiting Professor, for the period September to December 2011. Professor Cocks is the Director, Centre for Research into Disability and Society (CRDS), Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute and Director, Research and Graduate Studies, School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.
During his visit to the National Insitute for Intellectual Disabilty (NIID), Professor Cocks will be working with the course teams for the Certificate in Contemporary Living (CCL) and the M.Sc. in Disability Studies in addition to other research activities in the Institute.
Brainwave's Online European Survey
6 Aug, 2011
Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association and Cardiff University are conducting an online European Survey on the experiences of those who provide support to people with intellectual disabilities who have epilepsy. This online survey will explore issues around medication, access to appropriate clinical supports and the impact of epilepsy on quality of life. This research has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Cardiff University and participants should be aware that all responses are anonymous and untraceable. The information gleaned from this survey will provide valuable information to Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association on future service need in this area. The survey will remain open to Irish participants to December 2011. If you wish to participate in the study please click on the link below for further information. Please note you will be directed to a website external to NIID http://www.epilepsy.ie/index.cfm/spKey/news.brainwave/spId/94AB52B2-CE62-63F3-4454F2DE0FFD153C.html
NDA Research Study
12 Aug, 2011
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID), in conjunction with the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group, has recently secured a “Research Promotions Grant” from the National Disability Authority, the statutory advisory body to Government on disability issues.
The grant has been awarded for an inclusive research project to explore the issue of bullying of people with intellectual disabilities. A series of focus groups will be undertaken with key stakeholders including people with intellectual disabilities, family members and carers, disability services’ support staff, community representatives, health and social care professionals, and policy makers in this area.
The research will culminate in the production of an Easy-to-Read Guide on bullying for people with intellectual disabilities. This research will be carried out by researchers at the NIID in conjunction with researchers from the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group, an active group of advocates with intellectual disabilities who provide training and advocacy in the area of bullying.
Fiona Weldon, Development Worker with the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group is Research Coordinator. The research team comprises Conn O’Rathaille, William (Bill) Roberts, and Marie Wolfe from the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group and Ciara Brennan, Emer O’Malley and Siobháin O’Doherty from NIID. Dr Christine Linehan, Director of NIID is Principal Investigator.
New Director Announced
19 July, 2011
The National Institute for Intellectual Disability are delighted to announce the appointment of Christine Linehan, BA, MA, Dip.Stat, PhD, Reg.Psych.PsSI, as our new Director.
Dr Linehan is a research psychologist by profession with qualifications in psychology and statistics from University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. Her extensive experience in the disability field ranges from having worked for St. Michael's House, a provider organisation for people with intellectual disabilities in Dublin; the Centre for Disability Studies based at University College Dublin; to more recently for the National Disability Authority, the statutory advisory body to Government on disability issues. Dr Linehan has been involved in a number of international research initiatives and has published widely in leading disability peer-reviewed journals. Her most recent work has focused on the potential reconfiguration of disability services, most specifically towards the introduction of personal budgets and individualised supports for people with disabilities in Ireland.
New Head of School of Social Work and Social Policy: Dr Eoin O'Sullivan
Dr Eoin O'Sullivan has been elected Head of School of Social Work and Social Policy. Dr O'Sullivan takes over from Professor Robbie Gilligan who completed his second term of office in July 2011. The Headship has a term of three years, during which the Head of School is responsible for the effective general management of the School, for ensuring the provision of academic leadership and strategic vision, and for the quality of the student experience.
Dr Eoin O'Sullivan is a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, specialising in criminology, and was the School's former Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate). Dr O'Sullivan is also a ministerial appointee to the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The National Institute for Intellectual Disabilities wishes Dr O'Sullivan every success during his term of office.
End of Term Celebrations
9 June, 2011
NIID students and staff celebrated the end of term last Thursday. The event was a huge sucess with 1st year students looking forward to their summer holidays and the 2nd year group excited about the opportunities that await them following their successful completion of the Certificate.
As well as staff, students, family members and supporters the event was attended by some of our Business Partners and Work Placement sponsors. Starbucks very kindly sponsored the event.
Nordic Network on Disability Research Conference
3 June, 2011
National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) Staff and Students participate in 11th Nordic Network on Disability Research (NNDR), Reykjavik
Two NIID staff, Dr Edurne Iriarte Garcia, Lecturer in Intellectual Disability and Course Co-ordinator, M.Sc. in Disability Studies, and Ms Niamh Lally, Research Assistant (and Ph.D. Student), and one Certificate in Contemporary Living Student, Mr Tomas Murphy, presented papers and posters at the 11th Nordic Network on Disability Research (NNDR) conference in Reykjavik from 25-27 May 2011. At the conference, disability studies research and theory and the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability were discussed by scholars, activists, advocates and practitioners representing more than 28 countries.
Dr Edurne Garcia presented the paper:
“What have we learned from conducting research with people with intellectual disabilities?” by Edurne Garcia Iriarte, Patricia O’Brien, and Darren Chadwick.
Ms Niamh Lally and Mr Tomas Murphy presented a paper entitled “Promoting University inclusion for people with I.D. throughout Ireland - How we did it” by Niamh Lally, Mai Lin Yap, Tomas Murphy, Molly O’Keeffe and Patricia O’Brien.
On behalf of colleagues unable to attend, they also presented a paper entitled: “Our experience of attending undergraduate lectures at Trinity College - Student Perspectives” by John Kubiak, Patricia O’Brien, Molly O’Keeffe and Barry O’Connor.
Posters by Ms Zoe Hughes, Ph.D. student, and Ms Siobhain O’Doherty, Research Assistant, were also presented:
“The right of people with intellectual disabilities to have intimate relationships - Care staff perspectives in Ireland” by Siobhain O’Doherty
“The impact of life story telling for storytellers with intellectual disabilities, their support and service agencies” by Zoe Hughes.
Please contact the authors of the papers for further information.
Please click here to read an account of Tomas's visit to Iceland.
Presidential Visit
Owing to the much anticipated visit of the President of the United States, Barack Obama to College Green, the NIID offices will not be accessible on Monday May 23rd. Should you have an urgent query please email Niamh Heynen niamh.heynen@tcd.ie
We will open for business and classes as normal on Tuesday. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure.
The Royal Visit
Congratulations to Niamh Fortune (2nd year CCL student) who along with Education Officer Molly O'Keeffe met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this afternoon in the Long Room during her visit to Trinity College. Well done Niamh and Molly for representing us so well! Footage of the visit is available on the RTE player site.
Research News
Genio Contract
Congratulations to Dr Edurne Iriarte Garcia, Lecturer in Intellectual Disability, who is part of a team that was successfully awarded a contract by Genio Trust with support from Atlantic Philanthropies to conduct a 2-year evaluation study on the individualised, cost-effective supports and services that Genio is grant-aiding in Ireland.
The Team is led by principal investigator Professor Roy McConkey, Ulster University, and includes Dr Bunting Brendan, Ulster University, Dr Edurne Garcia Iriarte, Trinity College Dublin, Ms Rachel Stevens, Empower All, and Ms Marie Wolfe, Empower All.
The evaluation aims to gather evidence to inform the transition from traditional group-based models to individualised, cost-effective supports and services, and to accelerate the availability of such services and supports. The sample for the study includes people with intellectual and physical disabilities and those with mental health problems.
The Genio Trust had a grant-making programme in mid-2010. Grants were awarded to successful proposals in two areas: direct service provision to support individuals to live as included members of the community (17 initiatives received grants to support over 100 individuals); and capacity building initiatives promoting individualised supports and services and community inclusion (33 capacity building initiatives received grants).
CCL Open Day, Friday 27th May 2011
5 May, 2011
The Certificate in Contemporary Living open day will be held on Monday 27th May 2011 at The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID), 4th Floor, 3 College Green. Please see here for location of venue on Dame Street. Download CCL Application Form.Closing date for application 7th June. Interviews will be held on 20th June. For further information contact Ailish Kennedy.
Berlin 2011 - Certificate in Contemporary Living
May 3, 2011
As part of this module we organised a field trip away to a European country. This year the group picked Germany. In class we have compared Ireland and Germany in the following areas: history, culture, geography, society and politics. We have looked at maps, rivers, forests as well as learning important insights into the traumatic history of both countries. Through group discussion we have explored World War Two, the 1916 Rising and the Irish Famine. We planned to visit the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg gate, and Checkpoint Charlie amongst others. We have also planned cultural activities in the evening like eating German food, listening to music, meeting German people and sampling their beer.” 2nd Year CCL Students
Graduation 2010 - Certificate in Contemporary Living
Nov 11, 2010
Students of the pioneering university course for people with intellectual disability graduated at a ceremony in the Public Theatre, Trinity College Dublin on Thursday, November 11th last. Thirteen students were awarded with Certificates in Contemporary Living when they formally graduated at the ceremony. They are the third cohort to graduate from the programme.
Commenting on the significance of their achievement, NIID Education Officer, Molly O’Keeffe said: "Our graduates have overcome great challenges and struggles in their journey to achieve their goals. In achieving their ambitions, the students have also enabled the college and the wider community in developing a deeper understanding of the strengths and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. In supporting the roll-out of the Certificate in Contemporary Living programme amongst other third level institutions it also ensures educational opportunities across the country for this marginalised group.”
"Over the last two years, the graduate students have made enormous strides in their personal, social and learning development and made a wonderful contribution to campus life. Since finishing the course the students have successfully gained part-time employment, some have gone on to further their education in colleges and VECs around Dublin and others again are concentrating on moving out of home towards supported independent living in the community."
The two-year Certificate in Contemporary Living 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. Based on its model, other courses are now being taught in a number of third level institutions nationwide.
One of the key aims of the NIID Certificate in Contemporary Living 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 in Contemporary Living – academic learning, personal growth and career development. On the course students complete modules in English and spoken communication, mathematics and financial management, social studies, international awareness and music among other areas.
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 and NIID Business Partners Network.
NIID 'All we Want To Say' project launches DVD and executive summary
On Monday, 14th December 2009, the co-researchers and supporters who have been working on the 'All We Want to Say' project launched their findings in 2 formats: A DVD produced with the help of DCTV, and in the form of an accessible summary.
Members of the 'All We Want to Say' project presenting at the DVD & executive summary launch
The executive summary report is available for download by clicking here.
Members of the Inclusive Research Network present at the National Disability Authority National Conference
Marie Wolfe, Simon Buggy and Sara Flynn presented the findings of the Where We Live project at the National Disability Authority Annual conference at Croke Park on Tuesday 6th October. The three presenters represented the work of the Inclusive Research Network and the 11 co-researchers who conducted this study.
The presentation and some photos can also be viewed at the website of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies. Click here to go to the website.
You can also access the full presentation by clicking on this link.
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Marie Woolfe, Sarah Flynn and Simon Buggy presenting at the NDA National Conference, 2009.
NIID Summer School Report
Posted 10th August, 2009
Full Report on NIID Summer School 2009
NIID Summer School photographs
Posted 7th August, 2009
The following links will take you to online photogalleries from the NIID Summer School that took place from 27th-29th July, 2009.
Day one: Click here
Day two: Click here
Lifestories archive launch: Click here
Day three: Click here
NIID launch 'A Story to Tell' lifestory archive
Posted on 31st July, 2009
The NIID officially launched the 'A Story to Tell' archive of lifestories at an event during the inaugural Summer School on Tuesday, 28th July, 2009.
The event was well attended by a large group of interested people with disabilties, academics, frontline staff and invited guests. For more information, click here.
For older news stories, please see our news archive, accessible by clicking this link.