Certificate Programmes
Inclusive Higher Education for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
The Going to College Pilot Project is a university/community partnership with the UNESCO Chair, Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway, the Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway and the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Providing Services to People with Intellectual Disability. The aim of the project is to support the civic engagement of persons with intellectual disabilities through access to inclusive higher education at NUI Galway. Professor Pat Dolan, director of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and Professor Gerard Quinn, director of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy are co-academic directors of this programme.
The pilot project is supported by a diverse university/community advisory board including persons with intellectual disabilities, families, academic and administrative staff at NUI Galway and representatives of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and intellectual disability services. A critical employment partnership with Business in the Community Ireland (a business network of Ireland's largest companies with a shared goal of increasing and improving corporate responsibility) was recently formed to champion the employment of students with intellectual disabilities.
What will Students do at University?
Each student will have the opportunity to develop the vision, knowledge and transferable skills to live a more inclusive, independent life in their community. Each student will be able to:
• Attend lectures and take part in laboratory work, field work, tutorials, etc. alongside undergraduate students
• Volunteer through NUI Galway’s Volunteering Programme (ALIVE)
• Do a work placement
• Join university clubs and societies, and
• Participate in all other aspects of university life
For the two year pilot phase, eight students with intellectual disabilities started their college experience at NUI Galway in September 2011, with one student undertaking their academic studies in each of the following diverse disciplines:
• Civil / Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Earth & Ocean Sciences
• Human Rights
• Irish and Celtic Civilisation
• Italian
• Marketing
• Sociology & Political Science, and
• Theatre & Performance
More Information:
If you would like more information, please contact:
Breda Casey, Going to College Pilot Project Co-Ordinator, Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway.
Phone: 091 493621, Email: breda.casey@nuigalway.ie
Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action
The Foundation Certificate is run in association with Foróige and the Adult and Continuing Education Office in NUI Galway. Foróige is Ireland’s largest national youth development organisation and the youth work partner of the UNESCO Chair programme.
The course is designed to equip youth with the required skills and confidence to take on positive leadership roles today and in the future. It is a year-long programme, delivered off campus by youth workers in Foróige clubs, projects and schools. It comprises three modules, youth leadership, leadership and community action and project work. Further details are available here.
The first graduates of the youth leadership programme from October 2010. Pictured (L-R): Deirdra Henry, Mayo; Nina McWilliams, Galway; Dymphna Freyne, Mayo; David Molloy, Galway; Wayne Travers, Dublin; Teresa Coleman, Roscommon.
