Improving the learning experience for students with intellectual disabilities

Posted on: 08 July 2020

The Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID) is delighted to announce a generous gift from the Rory McDonagh Trust which will allow for a significant upgrade and enhanced classroom technology in the Centre. This new technology will vastly improve the learning experience for TCPID students over the coming years, creating a truly interactive and engaging learning environment.

In addition to the classroom technology, the Rory McDonagh Trust will be providing a new laptop to every student enrolled on the Certificate in Arts, Science and Inclusive Applied Practice in September 2020.

The current COVID-19 situation has shown that additional technology assistance is needed to help TCPID students to complete their education with all possible supports in place. It is expected that the next academic year will consist of a blend of physical engagement on campus and online learning. This gift from the Rory McDonagh Trust will ensure that every student will be able to fully engage with the course whether in person or online.

About the Rory McDonagh Trust

The Trust was established in 2013 in memory of Rory McDonagh who died in a tragic accident in 2012. Rory was a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. Both Rory’s father and sister are also Trinity graduates. The objectives of the Trust are to advance the education of young people and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, the Trust supports the development of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by enabling them to participate in sport. For example, since the Trust’s establishment it has supported the Trinity Access Programme through the provision of scholarships, it has built a school in rural Nepal and supported the football programme for a school in Kolkata.

Professor Michael Shevlin, TCPID Director said:

Technology plays an important part in all our lives. The generosity of the Rory McDonagh Trust will enable our students to fully engage with their studies and learn how to use technology in their adult lives.

Professor Damian Murchan, Head of the School of Education said:

Students on Trinity’s Certificate in Arts, Science and Inclusive Applied Practice embrace the passion for learning shared by all students of the university. Through the generous gift from the Rory McDonagh Trust, our students will be able to better develop the four Trinity College attributes: to think independently, to communicate effectively, to develop continuously and to act responsibly. The trustees of the Rory McDonagh Trust share Trinity’s passion to advance the education of young people in the most inclusive manner possible. I thank the trustees for their kind assistance in donating funds that will help to provide enhanced technology-enabled teaching and learning for the students and thus help them to realise their potential.

Further information about the Rory McDonagh Trust can be found at www.rorymcdonagh.org

Media Contact:

Ciara O’Shea, Media Relations Officer | coshea9@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4337