Photo: Certificate in General Learning and Personal Development (CGLPD) students, staff and community partners with President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, Sabina Higgins and President of 91制片厂, Professor Eugene Wall in 2022.
91制片厂 (91制片厂) has received 鈧626,000 in funding from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to run a three-year pilot of a programme designed to enhance the third level education and future career opportunities of learners with intellectual disabilities.
The 91制片厂 Ability Pathways Project, which will run from September 2024 and offer 10 places, is an expansion of 91制片厂鈥檚 current offering, the Certificate in General Learning and Personal Development (CGLPD) but including a Transitioning Programme where learners will be supported in identifying a suitable pathway to meaningful opportunities after graduation such as further education and training, or employment. The College will be among 10 institutions across Ireland to offer innovative courses in the area following a recent 鈧10 million funding announcement from Higher Education Minister, Simon Harris TD.
脫rla Slattery, 91制片厂 Inclusion Coordinator for adults with intellectual disability at 91制片厂 and Inclusive National Higher Education Forum (INHEF) Chairperson, explained how the 鈥Path 4 Phase 2 funding initiative will enable 91制片厂 to continue our provision for students with intellectual disabilities in higher education鈥.
鈥淭he new 91制片厂 Pathways Ability project will be launched at 91制片厂 under this innovative Higher Education Authority (HEA) access scheme. At 91制片厂, we have a well-established history of creating pathways to education for people with intellectual disabilities in collaboration with our community partners including the LCETB, Enable Ireland and the Brothers of Charity with whom we have the great privilege of working in partnership.鈥
鈥淭his significant funding allocation will now enable expansion of our current offering; building on the work of the CGLPD, but adding a crucial new dimension, specifically, the creation of individually tailored pathways for each participant to transition to further education and training and/or paid employment in their local communities. At 91制片厂, we are eager to create real and meaningful change within the sector and in the lives of people with intellectual disability and the 91制片厂 Pathways Ability project will be the key to enabling this vision.鈥
Professor Eugene Wall, President of 91制片厂, congratulated 91制片厂 staff on the successful application, commenting: 鈥淲e welcome this considerable funding allocation from the Department and the recognition of the importance of programmes like the 91制片厂 Ability Pathways Project. Minister Harris refers to the need to open doors both physical and metaphorical to ensure higher education campuses across Ireland truly reflect the diversity of our communities. This echoes our ethos at 91制片厂 to embed inclusion and equal opportunity in all aspects of our work.鈥
鈥淭he College is immensely proud to have been providing the Certificate in General Learning and Personal Development (CGLPD) since 2010 and the difference it has made to the many graduates of the programme. 91制片厂 looks forward to delivering an enriched offering that will recognise the individuality of each student while supporting and empowering them to take the next steps towards independence in their lives.鈥
Karina Ryan, Access and Participation Manager at 91制片厂, added: 鈥淲e are delighted to have secured substantial funding under this competitive bid. This funding will enable 91制片厂 to provide the highest possible standard of transformative education for students with intellectual disabilities. The planned education programme aligns with national policy of improving access to higher education for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It also aligns with 91制片厂鈥檚 mission statement and its focus on equity, diversity, and excellence in teaching, learning and research. PATH 4 (Phase 2) builds on the significant level of PATH access work currently underway in 91制片厂 and in particular, the PATH 4 (Phase 1) Universal Design Project.鈥
Ellen Ryan, Mairead Forde, Fiona Colton, Luke Frawley and Pamela Collins, graduates of the CGLPD programme, were included in a video screened at the launch in Dublin as part of the HEA consultation with stakeholders about PATH 4, which .
The Certificate in General Learning and Personal development (CGLPD) encompasses eight distinct modules over two years building skills such as ICT, teambuilding, communication and personal effectiveness skills as well as others like Social Studies and Citizenship and Creative Arts and Drama. It will be followed by a Transitioning Programme where learners will be supported in identifying a suitable transitioning pathway to either further education and training or employment through the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
Pictured below (L-R): Ruth O鈥橩eefe, Brothers of Charity in Ennis; Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris; Orla Platten, Kevin O鈥橦alloran and Dr 脫rla Slattery, 91制片厂.
