Archived News

 

NIID Summer School Taking Place 27th-29th July, 2009

Posted on 21st July, 2009

Next week, the NIID is proud to present a 3 Day Summer School on Inclusion and Education. International speakers of note include:

Professors Rud & Ann Turnbull, from the Beech Centre, University of Kansas

Professor Mary Falvey and Dr. Richard Rosenberg, California State University

Professor Susan Ryan, University of Vermont

Irene Clark, Melbourne.

Debbie Espiner, University of Aukland

Ray Murray, NIID.

 

Trinity Takes to the Streets: Dublin City Marathon - October 26th 2009

Posted on 30 April 2009

Trinity students, alumni, staff and friends are taking to the streets of Dublin for the Dublin City Marathon on 26th October to support University initiatives addressing educational disadvantage in Dublin and beyond. The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) is one of the beneficiary initiatives.

Click here for further information:

 

Doing Disability Research- Launch of the preliminary findings

Posted on 6 April 2009

 

On Wednesday, 1st of April, the National Institute for Intellectual Disability launched the preliminary findings of an on-going research project entitled “Doing Disability Research.” The project is funded by a Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge Grant, and also part funded by the Irish Research Council for the Health and Social Sciences.

The project that was presented incorporates three linked pieces of research that are on-going-

1) All we want to say: A national survey of people with intellectual disabilities- presented by Dr. Patricia O’Brien, Marie Wolfe and Bill Roberts.

2) “A Story to Tell”: Collecting and sharing the life stories of older adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland- presented by Zoe Hughes, Grace Kelly and Bill Roberts.

3) The National Family Study- presented by Dr. Hasheem Mannan, Ann Lawlor, Jean Spain and Gerry Harrington.

The purpose of the day, which was aptly chaired by Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos and a parent and advocate for people with disabilities, was to share the research ‘so far’ with policy makers, advocates, people with disabilities and service providers, in order to get feedback on the next steps of the projects. The underlying ethos of the Institute and the research projects was reflected in the participation of people with disabilities and family members not only as ‘participants’ in the research, but also as co-researchers, vital members of the research team.

Both the co-ordinators of each project and the co-researchers presented the findings to date on the projects. For those present, it was quickly apparent that the themes emerging from the three projects had a commonality- that people with disabilities are no different to the majority population when it comes to dreams, hopes, and needs. As one of the researchers, Marie Wolfe said, ‘nothing changes’. We know now that these hopes and dreams and needs are there, but what can we, as researchers and advocates, do with this knowledge? Those in attendance were asked to help answer that question- “Where to now? How can we use this knowledge to affect these changes?”

A lively debate was had, with perhaps more questions than answers arising from the comments, which is more often than not the case in research.

The next step is for the research teams to take all the feedback on board, and begin the next phase of this 4 year project.

You can access a copy of the document presented via this link.

 

Business Breakfast

Posted on 17 November 2008

The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) at Trinity College Dublin in association with IrishJobs.ie hosted a business breakfast in Trinity on Friday, November 14th aimed at promoting to employers the benefits of inclusive recruitment policies and the opportunities of getting involved with NIID’s work-life programme.

One of the main aims of the CCL programme is to assist the students in finding appropriate employment on completion of the certificate through the delivery of career development and work placement modules, including work experience placements in areas of the students’ choice according to their interests and skills.   

Students of the CCL course to date have secured work-placements in diverse areas such as retail, office work, catering, childcare and hotel work.   The first cohort of students from the course graduated last year and the majority of them have found part-time employment on a permanent basis while others have gone on to further education.

The event was attended by representatives of many of Ireland's most successful businesses. Feedback from attending employers was extremely positive with great interest expressed in developing links with the Institute through providing work placements and employment for students participating on the CCL course.

Commenting on the significance of inclusive employment practices, businessman and supporter of the NIID, Denis O’Brien said: “All companies can benefit from inclusive employment practices.  This is not just about community and corporate responsibility, but also about creating positive work environments and motivated, productive teams.” 

Jane Lorigan, Managing Director of IrishJobs.ie said: “Our experience of employing NIID students has been extremely positive. As we work with over 1400 of the largest recruiters in Ireland, we are delighted to partner with NIID in spreading the word about the opportunities and benefits for companies.”

Dr Patricia O’Brien Director of NIID said: “While the network of employers engaging with the NIID is growing, we are keen to develop new links which will lead to increased opportunities for our students and graduates – now and in the future. This is particularly important in the context of our plans to roll the course out nationally so the same opportunities can be provided to people with intellectual disabilities throughout Ireland”

The staff of the NIID would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended for their interest and support for the Work-Life programme.

Una Healy, Teaching and Learning Officer (Vocational), NIID. Please see here for information on the Worklife Programme

Fresher's Week

Posted on 13 October 2008

Classes in the Certificate in Contemporary Living (CCL) programme officially begin today, but thanks to Freshers’ Week NIID students shouldn’t find it too difficult to settle into the daily grind.

Freshers’ Week, which began on the 29th September, gave first year CCL students a taste of what the coming months would be like, while second year pupils were given a chance to ease themselves back into the new college term.

First year students became fully fledged Trinity College members when they received their student cards at registration, which took place on Monday.

And, as Michaelmas term 2008 kicked off, the first years were delighted to discover all the things that their full time student cards entitled them to.

From pouring over books in the library to climbing over treadmills in the gym, and making new friends in between, CCL students had a whole new world opened up to them.

Tuesday of Fresher’s Week saw the first years take a guided tour of Trinity’s state-of-the-art gym, which is free for all college students.

The newly-renovated facility is jam-packed with every type of exercise equipment imaginable. Keep-fit fanatics were suitably excited, while the less adventurous of us were overwhelmed – I took one look at the climbing wall and knew it was NOT for me!

Wednesday gave the less sporty among us a chance to check out the college’s extensive library.

A very helpful library staff member called Gerard gave CCL students an overall tour of the Berkeley, the Lecky and the Ussher and encouraged them to make full use of the library facilities and explore its labyrinth of book-filled corridors.

Later in the day a very helpful Students Union Education Offer called Hugh Sullivan brought CCL students around the extensive Trinity campus and entertained them with interesting stories and rumours about the college.

Among Hugh’s more quirky tales were the myths about underground wine cellars and the consequences of walking under certain arches. He also gave practical advice to students about the support available to those who fail exams.

And, in a rather unseasonal move, Hugh also treated CCL students to a free ice cream – something that was really needed on that rainy, windy autumnal day in October!

Classes for both first and second year CCL students begin simultaneously today.

This is another first for the NIID as we have never before had a new round of students begin the term alongside a returning group.

All of us involved in the Institute are very excited by this positive development in the education programme.

Lancaster Conference

Posted on 5 September 2008

CCL students present their research at the 4th Biennial Disability Studies Conference in Lancaster UK.

On Tuesday, 2nd September 2008, three students from the Certificate in Contemporary Living program in the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin took off from Dublin Airport for Manchester, to attend and present a paper at the 4th Biennial Disability Studies Conference in Lancaster, UK. They were accompanied on the trip by a staff member and a post-graduate research student, who had been co-researching with the students.

These three students- Brian Higgins, Emma McCormack and Wayne Kenny- are the three class reps for the CCL program, and for the last 5 months have been researching the issue of being a class rep on the CCL program with the support of staff from the Institute.

The conference they attended included researchers and papers from all corners of the globe. Among the topics of presentations we attended were relationships and sexuality, Wikipedia and the internet, how disability is portrayed in sitcoms, and the children’s television show, ‘Stingray’.

Hearing from the students

We presented our research on the final day, and were very well received. The room in which we presented was full of interested academics and conference attendees. There was great interest in both the CCL program and the research undertaken. As we were in the final paper session of the conference, many of the comments we received were interested in the largely more positive experience of the CCL students than the other students with disabilities which had also been discussed during our paper session.

CCL Students visit Belfast

The students on the Certificate in Contemporary Living course celebrated completing their first year by going on an overnight trip to Belfast. The trip was also an educational event where students learned about the history, geography and life in Northern Ireland. This forms part of the International Awareness module which the students study for two years.

The student representatives on the course (Emma McCormack, Brian Higgins and Wayne Kenny) used the trip to survey their classmates about travelling together as a group.  They asked the students to fill out a feed-back questionnaire with questions such as “Did going away together help us to get on better as a class?"  and “Would they like to go away together again?” The results of the survey were very positive with many of students saying they should have the opportunity to go away together more often. Emma, Brian and Wayne will use this information to improve the social events programme for the CCL students next year.   They will also present these findings as part of a research project called Being a Student Representative on the CCL course at a Disability Studies Conference at Lancaster University in September 2008.

The student reps will be busy throughout the summer preparing their research presentation. They will be writing a piece on their experience at the conference for the website. The trip to Belfast was very enjoyable and we are all looking forward to our next trip to Greece in the spring of 2009.

Australian Ambassador visits NIID

Posted on Apr 18, 2008

Her Excellency, Anne Plunkett, Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See visited the National Institute for Intellectual Disability on Monday 14th April. The Ambassador met with students undertaking the Certificate in Contemporary Living. The students gave a presentation to the Ambassador outlining the course and enjoyed discussing with her their experience in third level education. Michael Lambert presented the Ambassador with a piece of artwork he created.

Michael Lambert makes a presentation to the Ambassador

The Ambassador left the students and staff of the NIID with the impression that the Certificate in Contemporary Living was a very worthwhile course that was delivering real outcomes.

Her Excellency, Anne Plunkett(front, second from the left), with students Emma McPhillips and Michael Lambert.

While at the NIID, the Ambassador also met with a group of researchers who were evaluating respite care as well as documenting transition education strategies. The Ambassador shared with them her personal insight into relevant, innovative projects in Australia. The Ambassador also learned of the work of the NIID in providing people with intellectual disabilities and family members with opportunities to become co-researchers within the context of 2 national surveys and to be able to explore and document their own life stories.

The visit finished with a luncheon for Trinity Staff from Australia and those with Australian connections. The Ambassador commented that she was pleased that Australia was so ably represented in academic life in Ireland.

Businessman Denis O’Brien Opens Art Exhibition by Students of the TCD Course for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Posted on: Mar 05, 2008

New Alumni Society Announced for TCD Students with Intellectual Disabilities

“People with intellectual disabilities have the right to the same opportunities as all our citizens and TCD’s Certificate in Contemporary Living for people with intellectual disabilities is about opening up opportunities for education, participation and transition to meaningful employment”, stated businessman, Denis O’Brien on the occasion of the opening of a visual art exhibition by students of the Trinity College course for people with intellectual disabilities on Wednesday, March 5, 2008.

The art exhibition features visual art by current students and graduates of the pioneering Certificate in Contemporary Living, a two-year course run by TCD’s National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID), the first full-time course of its kind in the university sector in Ireland.  As part of the course, students attend a Visual Arts Programme through which they develop their expressive abilities and communicate their ideas creatively under the guidance and expertise of an artist in residence. This programme was supported by funding from the Ireland Funds Young leaders. From these classes some remarkable artworks have been produced which will be for sale in the two-day exhibition. The themes of the exhibition cover issues of independence, inclusion, family and personal growth. Click here to view Presentation of Artwork

Commenting on the significance of the Certificate in Contemporary Living’s Visual Arts Programme, businessman, Denis O’Brien said: “The exhibition sees the culmination of the students’ work on the programme which will change perceptions about the skills and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities and open up exciting possibilities for new directions in their lives.”

On the occasion of the art exhibition a new NIID Alumni Society was also announced, providing students with continuing opportunities to stay in touch with each other, NIID as well as TCD.  It will also allow for the continuing development of their skills and potential as part of Trinity’s Alumni community.

“A key aim of the NIID Certificate, especially through its Work-Life Programme is to ensure that education at third level for people with intellectual disability leads to appropriate employment opportunities.  The newly launched Alumni Society will provide graduates with a network and follow-on support on leaving the course. It will also promote the continuing development of their skills and potential as part of the Trinity Alumni”, stated NIID Director, Dr Patricia O’Brien.

The NIID Director also outlined plans for collaboration with other education partners to develop its Certificate in Contemporary Living so that the same opportunities available in Trinity College can be provided to people with intellectual disabilities throughout the country. 

In this context, Dr Patricia O’Brien acknowledged the many private individuals and philanthropic organisations which had provided essential support for the Institute in developing to this point, including The Special Olympics, the Atlantic Philanthropies, The Ireland Funds and Thomas Crosbie Holdings.  She paid particular tribute to Denis O’Brien for his continuing support for the NIID and its students and his guidance in developing the education programme for the future.

The NIID has recently been successful in securing Government funding to begin developing the course with other education partners.  The first phase of this collaboration involves UCC.

Notes to the Editor

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.

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:

The NIID promotes lifelong learning for people with intellectual disability through:

 

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Students of the Pioneering Trinity College Course for People with Intellectual Disabilities Graduate

Posted on: Feb 16, 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 with 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 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 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 an 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:

The NIID promotes lifelong learning for people with intellectual disability through:

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.