Events 2012

03rd Dec, 2012

M.Sc. in Disability Studies
Public Lecture by Prof. Roy McConkey

National datasets: Their contribution to monitoring and improving services

Tuesday, March 6th 2012: 4.30pm - 6.00pm at NIID, 4th Floor, 3 College Green

Prof. McConkey's lecture will focus on the National Intellectual Disability Database and report a series of longitudinal studies undertaken with colleagues from the Health Research Board, which analyse the changes that have occurred over a ten-year period in population demographics and service usage. The intra-country variation in service provision and utilisation is particularly marked. National datasets have been promoted as the major driver for reforming service provision and monitoring improvements. Ireland could lead Europe in demonstrating if this is indeed possible.

Roy McConkey is Professor of learning Disability at the University of Ulster; 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.

Register by 28th February 2012
Tel: +353-1-8963885

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16 December 2012

Facilitation Skills 15th February-4th April. 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.

The delivery of the course will model the skills presented as well as providing a comprehensive review of the theory of facilitation. Content:
• The nature of facilitation
• The role of the facilitator
• Skills and tools for facilitation
• Achieving clarity of purpose
• Balancing content and processes
• Establishing and maintaining participation and co-operation

The course will be relevant for community workers, service agency staff, social workers, health professionals as well as teachers and leaders of community organisation. Due to the interactive nature of the course, it will be limited to twenty-five participants.

How to apply: 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

Ph: +353 1 896 3885
Fee: €300 for the course
Time: Wednesdays, 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Date: 15th February - 4th April 2012 (8 weeks)
Place: National Institute for Intellectual Disability, 4th Floor, 3 College Green, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. (Entrance on Dame Street to the left of Starbucks Café)

Events 2011

Stop Bullying Workshop for People with Intellectual Disability: 14th March 2011

This workshop is designed specifically for and aimed at people with intellectual disability. The workshop is run by the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group who are made up of self-advocates. This workshop is facilitated by Fiona Weldon.

Stop Bullying Workshop for People who Work in the Area of Intellectual Disability: 11th April 2011

This workshop is designed specifically for and aimed at people who work in the area of intellectual disability. The workshop is run by the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group who are made up of self-advocates. This workshop is facilitated by Fiona Weldon.

Stop Bullying Workshop: 14th February 2011

This workshop is designed specifically for and aimed at people who work in the area of intellectual disability. The workshop is run by the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group who are made up of self-advocates. Facilitated by Fiona Weldon. Details Booking form

Communication Skills for Parents: February 2011

This Series of Workshops will describe the reactions and feelings that parents of disabled children and adults report they experienced when they were first told that their child had a disability. Opportunities will be provided for participants to share their experiences.

Facilitation Skills: Spring 2011

This course will provide participants with an understanding of the theory and skills of facilitation and enable them to achieve competence as a facilitator. The course will be relevant for community workers, service agency staff, social workers, health professionals as well as teachers and leaders of community organisation.

It will be delivered by John Kubiak of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, School of Social Work and Social Policy and Dr. Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Centre for Non-profit Management, School of Business.Details Booking form

Events 2010

Disability Leadership Series - Seminar 3

Developments in Australian disability policy and practice and the voices of people with intellectual disability and their allies

Tuesday 22nd June 2010

SPEAKER: Professor Errol Cocks

Director of the Centre for Research into Disability and Society, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

In Australia, the voices of people with intellectual disability have been heard in a number of different ways. It is only in more recent years that the voices have been heard directly from those people themselves. This seminar will explore how the early work and advocacy of the parent movement in Australia and internationally in the 1940s and 1950s represented the interests of their sons and daughters in a way that had not occurred before. This resulted in the growth of the non-government sector in Australia, which itself provided an additional means for expression. Since around 1980 in Australia, the development of self advocacy has provided a powerful means by which the voices of people with intellectual disability are being heard directly. A second major strategy has developed around the use of participatory action research which engages people with intellectual disability as researchers and thereby enables a direct representation of their interests. This is well-exemplified in the NIID's Doing Disability Research project.

The seminar will chart some of the contexts and major developments that have contributed to this story in Australia and identify some of the elements in common with international developments. These include:

• The influence of institutional models of care
• International advocacy through human rights statements and international NGOs
• The influence of key values and principles such as normalisation, and social inclusion and participation
• The changing forms and roles of the parent movement
• Advocacy and key strategies adopted to influence disability policy and practices - this will include some case studies of Australian examples of self advocacy and family advocacy
• The meaning and practice of participatory action research
• Some current challenges for people with intellectual disability and their allies

NIID, Trinity College, 4th Floor, 3 College Green, Dublin

Tuesday 22nd June 2010, 2pm to 5pm

NO FEE for TCD STAFF / STUDENTS

Phone 01 896 3885

2010 NIID Summer School of Inclusion

Summer School 5th - 7th July 2010

Summer School Brochure 2010

Booking form 2010 word version

Booking form 2010 pdf version

Following the successful first Summer School in 2009, Dr Joan Murphy, Director of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) is delighted to announce that the NIID will host its second Summer School on Inclusion from July 5-7, 2010 at Trinity College Dublin.

International speakers will include Prof. Mary Falvey and Dr. Richard Rosenberg of California State University, Prof. Susan Ryan, University of Vermont and Prof. Patricia O'Brien, University of Sydney.
During the three day Summer School, international speakers will join Irish experts to deliver workshops for people with intellectual disabilities, family members and professionals working in the area. Workshops include Person Centred Planning, Transitions to Independent Living, Early Intervention, Inclusive Research and Expressive Arts.

EARLY BIRD DUSCOUNT OF 10% AVAILABLE UNTIL 29TH JUNE

GROUP DISCOUNTS ALSO AVAILABLE

COST

People on disability allowance and their family members fee:

€180 when you book before 29th June
(€200 when you book after 29th June)

Professionals fee:

€360 when you book before 29th June
(€400 when you book after 29th June)

For further enquiries please contact: NIID on +353 (0)1 896 3885

NIID Business Partners Programme Launch

Posted on 29th January 2010

New Business Partners Programme launched in conjunction with Trinity's National Institute for Intellectual Disability to promote Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace Dublin, January 29th, 2010 -The National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) at Trinity College Dublin launched its NIID Business Partners programme, promoting inclusion and diversity in the workplace on Friday, January 29th. The launch event was hosted by the Chartered Accountants Ireland, one of the first business partners to join the programme and supported by Irishjobs.ie. More than 40 companies were in attendance at the event at the new Chartered Accountants Ireland Head Office.

'The NIID Business Partners are a group of forward thinking companies who are committed to the values of inclusive recruitment policies and who strongly believe in harnessing potential and talent from all parts of society,' said Leslie Buckley, Chairman of Saongroup.com and IrishJobs.ie, speaking at the event .'These companies will join Trinity's National Institute for Intellectual Disability in its progressive work, promoting the inclusion of one of the most marginalised groups in society.'

The National Institute for Intellectual Disability's Certificate in Contemporary Living (CCL), a two-year TCD course, is the first full-time course of its kind in the university sector in Ireland. The course aims to facilitate lifelong learning for students with intellectual disabilities and develop skills for independent living.
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.

Irish companies who join the NIID Business Partners programme will help open new pathways for inclusion and independent living in their future lives. Some of the practical ways they may do this is by providing work experience placements for the students and becoming mentors of the NIID students and graduates. It will also provide vital funding which will be used for the educational benefit of NIID.

Commenting on the significance of the new programme and inclusive employment practices, Chartered Accountants Ireland HR Manager, Dawn Leane says:'The NIID Business Partners Programme will facilitate the formation of many productive partnerships. It will join the National Institute for Intellectual Disability in its work in promoting real inclusion in the workplace and will play a key role as champions and ambassadors.'

NIID's education officer, Molly O'Keeffe welcomed the initiative, emphasising the importance of the business partners role in providing practical support for NIID's students in seeking future employment and providing vital funding which will enable NIID to grow and innovate further.

Updated: 31st July, 2009

NIID Launch Lifestories Archive

The lifestories project- entitled 'A Story to Tell'- has been running in the NIID since 2007. It is a project funded by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences. The main aims of this project are to support older people in Ireland, with intellectual disabilities, to tell their stories, and also to house an archive of these stories, to enable them to be shared.

Dr. Patricia O'Brien introducing Head of School Prof. Robbie Gilligan and Project Co-ordinator Zoe Hughes

The official launch of the lifestories web archive took place in The Atrium, Trinity College, on Tuesday 28th July, 2009. This archive is the first of its kind in Ireland, and one of the first in Europe. The stories housed in the archive give a fascinating insight into Irish history, social policy, and the treatment and personal stories of people with disabilities in Ireland. The launch of this archive represents an important step in the movement to encourage people to see people with intellectual disabilities as valued members of society, with much to contribute, and insights to share.

The proceedings included some words of welcome from the Director of the NIID, Dr. Patricia O'Brien and Head of the School of Social work and Social Policy, Prof. Robbie Gilligan. Zoe Hughes, project co-ordinator, outlined the story telling process, the value of which was then reflected upon by Ms. Marie Wolfe and Mr. Bill Roberts, both members of the Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge advisory committee.

Zoe Hughes introducing the video clips and Bill Roberts reflecting on the benefits of speaking out

The audience was then shown two short video clips of stories that are soon to be available on the website. These two clips included moving descriptions of life in an institution for people with disabilities 50 years ago, and the continuing struggle for rights in today's society. The contribution of all members, both past and present of the research team and its advisory committee was acknowledged.

Endorsing the Lifestories archive was Prof. Rud Turnbull, from the Beach Centre at the University of Kansas, Laurence. Prof. Turnbull is a leader in the field of intellectual disability, and he spoke of the strong contribution that this archive will make to the understanding of the struggles and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities.

The archive includes stories of people with intellectual disabilities, information on the project and methodology, and some materials to assist people with disabilities to tell their own story, and materials for their supporters to enable them to assist them.

https://www.tcd.ie/ciid/life-stories

Dr. Patricia O'Brien and Prof. Rud Turnbull

The Launch of the Lifestories Website

Stop Bullying Workshop

Friday 26th June 2009

Posted on 5 June 2009

This is the fourth workshop run by this group of self advocates and is designed specifically for people who have intellectual disability. It encourages participants to recognise and confront bullying behaviour in themselves and others. Participants will learn strategies to deal with bullying behaviours directed towards themselves as well as how to offer support to others.

The workshop is run by the National Anti-Bullying Advocacy Group who are made up of self-advocates (people with intellectual disabilities speaking up and speaking out for their rights), supporters and allies from all over Ireland. The group's experience is that 'people with Intellectual Disabilities working with other people with Intellectual Disabilities gets better results than when 'abled' people do it'.

The program for the day will consist of large and small group interactions in a comfortable and safe environment. Participants will be encouraged to

• Listen actively
• Engage in program activities
• Think about what they say
• Ask questions

Training tools used to illustrate key points and offer support to the process of the day will include role play, group work, open discussions, and visual aids such as DVD and PowerPoint

Morning and afternoon refreshments as well as a snack lunch are provided. There is a charge of €35 per participant and €25 per support worker to cover costs.

Participant numbers will be limited to approximately 15 (excluding support workers).

For bookings please email Stephen Shannon with Booking Form

Or phone: (01) 896 2179

For more information: Antibullying Antibullying Accessible

3 Day Summer School

Inclusion through Education, Research and Advocacy

Monday 27th to Wednesday 29th July 2009

Posted on 26 May 2009

The 3 Day Summer School is aimed at providing a forum where issues of inclusion can be discussed, debated and experienced, led by facilitators on:

• professional partnering with families
• school based inclusion and transition strategies
• early childhood intervention: focused on social competence and literacy
• expressive arts
• mass media
• sports activities
• person centred planning and practice

The Summer School is a series of workshops. Participants will spend the three days with the same facilitator in a selected area. Accommodation is available at Trinity College.

See here for Letter from the Director, Programme, Accessible Programme

If you would like to register please do so here Booking Form

Phone 01 896 3885

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:

3 WORKSHOPS TO GET YOUR INCLUSIVE RESEARCH HAPPENING

12 September 2008

14 November 2008

6 February 2008

Click here for details...

Facilitation Skills 8 week course - October 2008

Course: October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th & November 5th, 12th, 19th 2008

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 Dr. Patricia O'Brien and Raymond Murray of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, School of Social Work and Social Policy and Dr. Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Centre for Non-profit Management, School of Business.

The delivery of the course will model the skills presented as well as providing a comprehensive review of the theory of facilitation.

Content:

The course will be relevant for community workers, service agency staff, social workers, health professionals as well as teachers and leaders of community organisation.

Due to the interactive nature of the course it will be limited to twenty-five participants. Click here for info sheet and booking form or

A Two Day Course: Group Facilitation - Thursday 31st July & Friday 1st August 2008

With Dale Hunter of Zenergy Ltd, New Zealand

(NOTE: This is advanced training available only to participants who have completed any of the NIID's Facilitation Skills 8 week Course)

Group facilitation: making interventions, shifting levels, consensus building and addressing conflict. These are the skills that facilitators need to develop and master. Dr. Dale Hunter is a group facilitator, mediator, coach and author in the field of facilitation. She is a director of Zenergy Ltd. a New Zealand-based company providing facilitation, mediation, and coaching services to government, business and community sectors. Dale facilitates conferences, public meetings, seminars and workshops both in New Zealand and internationally.

Dale Hunter is the author of The Art of Facilitation (2007), and the principal co-author of Handling Groups in Action. The Use of Distinctions in Facilitation, The Zen of Groups and Co-operacy - A New Way of Being at Work. She has also contributed chapters to the IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation (2005) and Creating a Culture of Collaboration (2006) published by Jossey-Bass.

Click here for more information and booking form. Or

A two-day summer course: The Path Process: A person-centred planning tool - Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) is a futures planning tool. Come and experience this training which makes planning come alive.

About PATH: PATH is a person centred planning tool to graphically map out a desirable future for an individual with or without a disability. Part of the unique strength of this process is the colourful visual record that is created which is dynamic, affirming, motivating and action oriented. PATH specifies achievable goals and clarifies the first steps for their implementation.

PATH explores and identifies:

PATH is an action template, graphic imagery and facilitated discussion lead to positive plans that achieve commitment and generate outcomes. Such plans can be facilitated for individuals, groups and organizations

This workshop

This workshop teaches the skills for both creating the graphic record and for facilitating the process. The PATH process is a means of meeting the individual planning requirements as laid down in the Disability Act (2004) and the Education for Persons with Special Needs Act (2004).

Who should attend?

Human Service Staff, Teachers, Parents, Social Workers, Counsellors, Psychologists, Therapists and others involved in the helping professions.

The Facilitators

Deborah Espiner, Principal Lecturer, Universisty of Auckland, New Zealand and Ray Murray, Research Associate, NIID, TCD (formerly Auckland College of Education, New Zealand) have had extensive experience in training Human Service Personnel, Teachers (both Regular & Special Education) Parents, Training Consultants, Psychologists, Therapists and others in the PATH process throughout New Zealand, Australia and more recently in Ireland.

Click here for more information and booking form.

A One-day Seminar on Redeveloping Congregate Care: Models for Change - Tuesday 3rd June 2008

Led by Dr. Tom Keating, Visiting Marie Curie Fellow, Trinity College Dublin

9.30am - 4pm, Tuesday 3rd June, 2008 at NIID, 4th Floor, 3 College Green, Dublin 2, Trinity College Dublin

The State of Victoria in Australia has undergone two major periods of reform in recent times of its services for people with intellectual disabilities. The first, during the 1980s, saw the closure of the majority of its Institutions for people with intellectual disabilities and the development of a range of new services. The second, followed the election of a Labor government in 1999 and involved further closure of congregate care settings and significant community service redevelopment.

This seminar will utilise case studies of two major congregate care redevelopments (Mayday Hills in the late 1980s and Kew Residential Services which continues to be ongoing) to explore the dynamics of major systems change. It will put forward some models to assist in understanding change in complex organisations. Click here for more information and booking form.

Action Skills for Focus Groups - Friday 16th May 2008

Transfer of Knowledge Project -

A one-day workshop for people with an intellectual disability providing the opportunity to gain skills in running focus groups. Participants may then choose to become co-researchers in this project. Click here for details of the project. To register your interest email Leah Quinlivan.

A One-day Seminar: Education that Fits - Friday May 2nd 2008

Click here for NOTES

The Challenge of Inclusive Education led by Dr. David Mitchell, Inclusive Education Consultant , New Zealand

9.30am - 4pm, Friday 2nd May, 2008 at NIID, 4th Floor, 3 College Green, Dublin 2, Trinity College Dublin

The aim of this workshop is to provide participants with a range of strategies for moving towards inclusive education for learners with special education needs. Dr Mitchell will draw on his experiences in working with teachers and principals in New Zealand and a range of other countries, as well as his recent books on inclusive education. Click here for more information and booking form

Stop Bullying Workshop - Thursday May 15, 2008 - Malta Services, Drogheda

The Anti-bullying Advocacy Group will present its 'peer to peer' workshop on how recognise and deal with bullying in the intellectually disabled community. It will be held on 15th May 2008 at the Malta Services facility in Drogheda starting at 10 am and finishing at 3:30 pm. Click here for more details. Contact Stephen Curtis by email or phone (01) 896 2174

Inclusive Research Network - "3 workshops to get your inclusive research happening!"

12 September, 14 November 2008 and 6 February 2009 at the NIID, Trinity College, 3 College Green, Dublin 2 and at Galway if numbers are sufficient.

Contact the Inclusive Research Network to register your interest or for further details.

Stop Bullying Workshop - April 25, 2008

The Anti-bullying Advocacy Group will present another 'peer to peer' workshop on how recognise and deal with bullying in the intellectually disabled community. It will be held on 25th April 2008 at the NIID starting at 10 am and finishing at 3:30 pm. Contact Stephen Curtis by email or phone (01) 896 2174 for details of future workshops.

Facilitation Skills - January 2008

Facilitators: Dr. Patricia O'Brien, Mr. Raymond Murray and Dr. Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Centre for Non-profit Management, School of Business

Course: January 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th & February 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, 27^th 2008, Wednesdays 4.30pm to 6.30pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

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.

The delivery of the course will model the skills presented as well as providing a comprehensive review of the theory of facilitation.

Content:

The course will be relevant for community workers, service agency staff, social workers, health professionals as well as teachers and leaders of community organisations. Due to the interactive nature of the course it will be limited to twenty participants.

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents - January 2008

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents of Children and Adults with Disabilities

Facilitators: Ray Murray and Frieda Finlay

January 11^th, 18^th, 25^th & February 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 2008. Fridays 10.30am to 12.30pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

This Series of Workshop will describe the reactions and feelings that parents of disabled children and adults report they experienced when they were first told that their child had a disability. Opportunities will be provided for participants to share their experiences.

One day Workshop: Adapting Curriculum and Learning

Debbie Espiner, Principal Lecturer, University of Auckland, New Zealand and Ray Murray, Research Associate, NIID, Trinity College Dublin

Monday 17^th December, 2007, 9.30am to 4pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

Adapting Curriculum and Learning

This workshop is relevant to all those who support the learning of children and adults with diverse needs. It is relevant to those who work in educational, vocational and or residential settings.

In this workshop we will think about and explore:

Deborah Espiner is a Principal Lecturer, Faculty of Education at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She co-ordinates a Graduate Diploma in Special Educaiton for teachers supporting students with diverse needs in classrooms and the Bachelor of Human Services (Disability Studies). Debbie has worked on a number of Ministry of Education contracts focusing on effective ways to include all students in schools. She has considerable experience in curriculum design to ensure that adults with disabilities are supported by a trained and competent workforce.

Ray Murray, Research Associate, NIID, TCD (formerly Auckland College of Education, New Zealand) has had extensive experience in training Human Service Personnel, Teachers (both Regular & Special Education) and Parents throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Two Workshops: The PATH Process -- November 2007

Facilitators: Deborah Espiner and Ray Murray

14^th, 15^th, 16^th November 2007, 9.30am - 4pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

PATH explores and identifies:

An action template, graphic imagery and facilitated discussion lead to positive plans that achieve commitment and generate outcomes. Such plans can be facilitated for individuals, groups and organizations.

PATH is a person centred planning tool to graphically map out a desirable future for an individual with or without a disability. Part of the unique strength of this process is the colourful visual record that is created which is dynamic, affirming, motivating and action oriented. PATH specifies achievable goals and clarifies the first steps for their implementation.

This workshop teaches the skills for both creating the graphic record and for facilitating the process. The PATH process is a means of meeting the individual planning requirements as laid down in the Disability Act (2004) and the Education for Persons with Special Needs Act (2004).

Who should attend?: Human Service Staff, Teachers, Parents, Social Workers, Counsellors, Psychologists, Therapists and others involved in the helping professions.

The Facilitators: Deborah Espiner (Universisty of Auckland, New Zealand) and Ray Murray (formerly University of Auckland, New Zealand) have had extensive experience in training Human Service Personnel, Teachers (both Regular & Special Education) Parents, Training Consultants, Psychologists, Therapists and others in the PATH process throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents - November 2007

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents of Children and Adults with Disabilities

Facilitators: Ray Murray and Frieda Finlay

November 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th, 2007. Fridays 10.30am to 12.30pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

This Series of Workshop will describe the reactions and feelings that parents of disabled children and adults report they experienced when they were first told that their child had a disability. Opportunities will be provided for participants to share their experiences.

One Day Conference: Early Childhood Intervention

International Perspectives and Parent Thoughts

Professor Barry Carpenter, CEO, Sunfield, UK, Dr. Patricia Champion, Champion Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand

9.30am to 4pm, Thursday 25^th October 2007. At NIID, 4^th Floor, 3 College Green, Dublin 2

Professor Barry Carpenter, Chief Executive, Sunfield, Clent, Stourbridge, Worcestershire

Early childhood intervention remains the key to meeting the needs of very young children with disabilities and their families. There has been a resurgence in developed countries in looking at effective models of early childhood intervention. After three decades of intensive work in this area, parents now have some very clear thoughts on the type of service they want to have delivered. This session invites participants to develop their own thinking in this field, having reflected on some of the international definitions and practice models available and what families are themselves telling us.

Implications of premature birth on the global development of young children - issues from the 'past', the 'present' and 'the future'

Dr. Patricia Champion, The Champion Centre, Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

Advances in knowledge and technology have led to increasing survival rates of premature babies. However while immediate survival is perhaps more certain, the long term future of these infants is less clear. While much is known about the serious physical problems that pre-term babies may face, much less is known about the psychoeducational and socio-emotional difficulties which may arise as a result of premature birth. This paper will discuss the impact of both nature and early nurture for pre-term infants and their primary caregivers.

It will examine the unique developmental pathway experienced by this group of children.

Early Childhood Intervention Training Needs

Panel presentation: Dr. Barry Coughlin, Assistant Director, Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology, University of Limerick. Dr. Patricia O'Brien, Director, National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Michael Shevlin, Head, Education Department, Trinity College Dublin. Henio Shonfeld, Director, Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education St. Patrick's College Drumcondra

Human Rights and Students with Special Educational Needs
A Seminar on Building Capacity in Ireland

UCD, National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin - Patricia O'Brien, Tom Murray, Michael Shevlin, Patricia Noonan Walsh

Wednesday, 16^th May, 2007, 12:30pm - 4:30pm

Article 24 of the UN Convention which Ireland signed on 30 March

'States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to education. With a view to realizing this right without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity, States Parties shall ensure an inclusive education system at all levels and life long learning.'

This seminar aims to open a national debate on how to build capacity in Ireland to ensure that this right is expressed in students' experiences and teacher preparation.

Facilitation Skills - October 2007

Facilitators: Dr. Patricia O'Brien, Mr. Raymond Murray and Dr. Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Centre for Non-profit Management, School of Business

Course: October 17th, 24th, 31st and November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and December 5th 2007. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

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.

The delivery of the course will model the skills presented as well as providing a comprehensive review of the theory of facilitation.

Content:

The course will be relevant for community workers, service agency staff, social workers, health professionals as well as teachers and leaders of community organisations. Due to the interactive nature of the course it will be limited to twenty participants.

One day Seminar on: Employment Opportunities for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Dr. John O'Brien, Inclusion Associates, Atlanta Georgia

Monday, April 23^rd 2007, 9.30am to 4pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

Meaningful jobs in ordinary community workplaces can offer people with intellectual disabilities opportunities to contribute to a workplace, to structure their time in meaningful ways, to earn a wage, to develop their talents and character, and to extend their social connections. In this workshop, we will think together about:

John O'Brien learns about building more just and inclusive communities from people with disabilities, their families, and their allies. He uses what he learns to advise people with disabilities and their families, advocacy groups, service providers, and governments. He spreads the news, among people interested in change, by writing and giving workshops. He works in partnership with Connie Lyle O'Brien and a group of friends from 12 countries. He is affiliated with the Centre on Human Policy (USA); In Control: A National Programme to Change the Organization of Social Care (UK); and the Marsha Forest Centre: Inclusion - Family - Community (Canada).

Qigong Sensory Training for Children with Autism

Dr. Louisa Silva and Diane Ferguson, PhD, Teaching Research Institute, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon, USA

Seminar 1: For therapists, early intervention educators, researchers, allied professionals, administrators

Wednesday April 18th, 2007, 2pm to 4pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

Seminar 2: For family members, Friday April 20th, 2007, 10am to 12pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

For the past several years, the Teaching Research Institute at Western Oregon University, USA, has been researching a parent training intervention from Chinese Medicine for the sensory impairment of autism. The training given to parents as a part of their child's Early Intervention programme has been found to help children with their sensory impairment, enhance learning and improve behaviour.

The intervention is based on an understanding of the body according to Chinese medicine. Parents are taught to give their child a daily 15 minute massage consisting of gentle patting movement down the acupuncture channels involved in clearing the senses, promoting awareness and supporting the appetite, digestion and sleep of the child.

Trainers work closely with the parents and child over several months and as the child's response begins to change, the trainer teaches the parent to modify the treatment as necessary and supports both parent and child during a five month process where they meet regularly.

Western Oregon University has an ongoing study where a significant number of children under of six have shown improvement in sensory impairment, and or autistic behaviour as measured through the Sensory profile, the Autism Behaviour Checklist and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales.

The seminar will act as an introduction to Qigong Sensory Training and findings of the research to date will be shared. Dr. Silva plans to return to Ireland in the summer and will be available to set up training opportunities associated with the programme. Details of this will be made available to interested parents and professionals at the April seminar.

Dr. Louisa Silva is trained as a medical practitioner and has worked as a family physician within Oregon, USA for many years. As a family physician Dr. Silva is also trained in Chinese medicine and acupuncture and has been working with a team of researchers at the University of Western Oregon using Qigong massage within the area of early intervention for children with autism, developmental delay and sensory impairment.

Dr. Dianne L. Ferguson is a Professor in the Division of Teaching and Learning at the University of Missouri - St. Louis and at the Teaching Research Institute at Western Oregon University. Dr. Ferguson is well known internationally for her expertise in the areas of family centred research and disability studies. As a parent of a young man with significant disabilities, she has worked with families, schools, and service systems. She is currently working with Dr. Silva as part of the research team looking at the impact of Qigong massage within the context of early intervention associated with autism, developmental delay and sensory impairment.

Inclusive Research: My Life My Story

Dr Kelley Johnson and Professor Dorothy Atkinson

Friday April 27^th, 2007 Time: 10am - 4pm

We all tell stories of our lives to each other. But people with intellectual disabilities in the past have found it hard to have their stories heard.

In this workshop we will explore how the stories of people with intellectual disabilities can add to understanding of individuals and their lives, be a way of people's history being known to those around them and help us to take action on issues that affect their lives.

This workshop is an opportunity to find out more about how to do life story work and to use it effectively.

Aims

Workshop Participants

We are inviting groups to come from services around Ireland. Each group should have between 1 and 4 people with intellectual disabilities and at least one support worker.

Professor Dorothy Atkinson: Dorothy has worked with people with intellectual disabilities and their families both as a social worker and as part of her work at the Open University in Milton Keynes, England. She has helped produce university courses for people with intellectual disabilities and has worked with individuals and groups over many years in producing people's life stories. Dorothy is spending two months in Ireland, developing some work on life histories at the National Institute for Intellectual Disability at Trinity College in Dublin.

Dr Kelley Johnson Kelley has worked with people with intellectual disabilities in Australia and in other countries for more than 15 years. She has worked with women who have told their life stories and has also worked with people to tell their stories of moving out of institutions and into the community. Kelley is a Marie Curie Research Fellow at the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin.

3 Day Residential Workshop: Introduction to Social Role Valorisation

NIID, Brothers of Charity Services Clare, Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary Services, Cheshire Ireland, St. Michaels House

Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd March 2007, 9am to 6.30pm. At Emmaus Retreat & Conference Centre, Lissenhall, Swords, Co. Dublin.

The Purpose of the Workshop:

This event will provide participants with an introduction to Social Role Valorisation (SRV), a theory about social devaluation which helped lay the foundation for many current community service trends including community integration, safeguarding of rights and the deinstitutionalisation movement.

The content will include:

This workshop will help you to:

Who should attend

Those who seriously desire to gain a deeper understanding of the common life experiences of persons who are devalued as well as desire to make life better for such persons, e.g. disability service workers, people with disabilities, advocates and family members, educators, funders and policy makers. Participants must be available to attend the 3 days.

Workshop leader

The workshop will bring together national and international leaders in the disability sector. The workshop will be lead by Darcy Elks. Darcy has been a community service provider, educator, consultant, evaluator and advocate on behalf of people who are societally devalued for over 26 years. She has travelled extensively and worked with many different people including persons who have themselves been marginalised by society, advocates, family members, and disability service providers. She is also a mother of three children, one of whom has Down Syndrome.

Darcy will be assisted in the workshop by Elizabeth Neuville who is the Executive Director of the Keystone Institute in Pennsylvania which specialises in providing educational experiences for people interested in making life fuller and richer for vulnerable people. She has over 21 years experience as a disability service worker, administrator, evaluator and advocate.

Group Facilitators

Mary Kealy is Director of Services, Brothers of Charity, Clare. Mary is committed to the development of community based services and is involved in supporting people to have a choice over where and how they live their lives. Mary has been involved in breaking new ground associated with individualised funding models.

Dr Bob McCormack is Director of Research and Service Development at St Michael's House. He has promoted a Personal Outcomes approach to supporting people and has been involved in research on individual rights, protection and supported employment. He currently chairs the Delivering Outcomes to People Project.

Dr Patricia O'Brien is Director of the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College Dublin. Patricia has a background in professional development for community service staff through the teaching of courses that are grounded in SRV. Patricia's research interests include deinstitutionalisation, community participation and inclusive education.

Aoife O'Toole is Service Quality Manager, Cheshire Ireland. Aoife's role includes evaluating, monitoring and improving the standard and quality of services provided and working to evolve services to individualised options that lead to valued and ordinary lives for people in the community.

Karina Wallis is currently employed as Head of Evaluation and Person Centred Training in Sisters of Charity of Jesus & Mary Services (SCJMS). A significant aspect of this role involves the delivery of person centred training. Karina also has experience of developing leadership training and an individualised service option (Micro boards) in partnership with families, service users, community groups and statutory organisations.

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents - March 2007

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents of Children and Adults with Disabilities

Facilitators: Ray Murray and Frieda Finlay

March, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th 2007, Two week break, April 19^th, 26^th 2007, May 3^rd, 10^th 2007, 10.30am to 12.30pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

This Series of Workshop will describe the reactions and feelings that parents of disabled children and adults report they experienced when they were first told that their child had a disability. Opportunities will be provided for participants to share their experiences.

Facilitation Skills - March 2007

Facilitators: Dr. Patricia O'Brien and Mr. Raymond Murray

Course: Date: 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th March 2007. 2 week break. 18^th, 25^th April 2007, 2^nd, 9^th May 2007. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

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.

The delivery of the course will model the skills presented as well as providing a comprehensive review of the theory of facilitation.

Content:

The course will be relevant for community workers, service agency staff, social workers, health professionals as well as teachers and leaders of community organisations. Due to the interactive nature of the course it will be limited to twenty participants.

One day Seminar: Supported Living for People with Learning Disabilities

My Own Home: Supported Living for People with Learning Disabilities

Dr. John O'Brien, Inclusion Associates, Atlanta Georgia

Friday, November 10^th 2006, 9am to 4pm. At the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, Trinity College, Dublin

Over the past 30 years, people with learning disabilities, their families, and their allies have steadily expanded the range of ways to organize support and housing options. In the places where these options are well developed, people with all levels of need for support have real alternatives when they move out of their family home.

A community with well developed ways to create and sustain supported living arrangements has a vital capacity to implement person-centred plans.

In this seminar, we will

John O'Brien learns about building more just and inclusive communities from people with disabilities, their families, and their allies. He uses what he learns to advise people with disabilities and their families, advocacy groups, service providers, and governments. He spreads the news, among people interested in change, by writing and giving workshops. He works in partnership with Connie Lyle O'Brien and a group of friends from 12 countries. He is affiliated with the Centre on Human Policy (USA); In Control: A National Programme to Change the Organization of Social Care (UK); and the Marsha Forest Centre: Inclusion - Family - Community (Canada)

Facilitation Skills - October 2006

Facilitators: Dr. Patricia O'Brien and Mr. Raymond Murray

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.

Course: 11^th, 18^th and 25^th October and continues on November 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th 2006. Wednesdays, 5pm - 7pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

The delivery of the course will model the skills presented as well as providing a comprehensive review of the theory of facilitation.

Content:

The course will be relevant for community workers, service agency staff, social workers, health professionals as well as teachers and leaders of community organisations. Due to the interactive nature of the course it will be limited to twenty participants.

Inclusive Research - Doing Research Together

Facilitators: Dr Jan Walmsley, Open University, United Kingdom and Dr Kelley Johnson, Marie Curie Research Fellow, NIID

Friday, October 27^th 2006, 10am - 4pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

There is an increasing emphasis on inclusive research in Ireland. This workshop is an opportunity to find out how to begin to do it with the people in your service.

Aims

Workshop Participants

We are inviting groups to come from service agencies around Ireland. Each group should have between 1 and 2 people with intellectual disability and at least one support worker. There will be a maximum of 45 people to participate in the workshop. There are limited places for the workshop so the first 15 groups who apply will receive a place.

The PATH Process - Two Workshops - July 2006

Facilitators: Deborah Espiner and Ray Murray

3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th July 2006 & 6^th, 7^th, & 10^th July 2006, 9.30am - 4.00pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

PATH explores and identifies:

An action template, graphic imagery and facilitated discussion lead to positive plans that achieve commitment and generate outcomes. Such plans can be facilitated for individuals, groups and organizations.

PATH is a person centred planning tool to graphically map out a desirable future for an individual with or without a disability. Part of the unique strength of this process is the colourful visual record that is created which is dynamic, affirming, motivating and action oriented. PATH specifies achievable goals and clarifies the first steps for their implementation.

This workshop teaches the skills for both creating the graphic record and for facilitating the process. The PATH process is a means of meeting the individual planning requirements as laid down in the Disability Act (2004) and the Education for Persons with Special Needs Act (2004).

Who should attend?

Human Service Staff, Teachers, Parents, Social Workers, Counsellors, Psychologists, Therapists and others involved in the helping professions.

The Facilitators

Deborah Espiner (Universisty of Auckland, New Zealand) and Ray Murray (formerly University of Auckland, New Zealand) have had extensive experience in training Human Service Personnel, Teachers (both Regular & Special Education) Parents, Training Consultants, Psychologists, Therapists and others in the PATH process throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Two Seminars: Leadership to implement Person-Centred Planning

Dr. John O'Brien, Inclusion Associates, Atlanta Georgia

Wednesday, May 3^rd 2006 & Friday June 23^rd 2006, 9.30 am to 4.00 pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

Slides from the first seminar. (PDF file, 450 kB)

Slides from the second seminar. (PDF file, 780 kB)

If person-centred planning is to be more than a passing fad, people with learning difficulties, family members and service workers and managers will need to exercise leadership each in their own way. In these two seminars we will draw on the experience of those who have made a positive difference in their implementation of person-centred planning. This will enable us to consider how each one of us might learn through action what we need to know to make person-centred planning of real benefit. While the two seminars are related, they are structured so that people can attend either without attending the other.

Seminar 1: Organizing for Person-Centred Support: Wednesday May 3^rd 2006

Social and organizational context determines the extent to which person-centred planning can benefit people with learning difficulties. In this seminar we will think about how people with intellectual disabilities and their allies can build a more inclusive community and more competent services as they discover how to live a good life. And, we will describe some of the ways to organize services that make it more likely that person-centred planning will make a positive difference.

Seminar 2: Listening to One Another Into Voice: The Process of Person-Centred Planning: Friday June 23^rd 2006

The effectiveness of person-centred planning depends on the quality of listening that is available to the person planning. In this seminar we will think about what it takes to invite and support the kind of deep listening that is the foundation for the social changes that make it possible for people with learning difficulties to have a good life.

Biography

John O'Brien learns about building more just and inclusive communities from people with disabilities, their families, and their allies. He uses what he learns to advise people with disabilities and their families, advocacy groups, service providers, and governments. He spreads the news, among people interested in change, by writing and giving workshops. He works in partnership with Connie Lyle O'Brien and a group of friends from 12 countries. He is affiliated with the Centre on Human Policy (USA); In Control: A National Programme to Change the Organization of Social Care (UK); and the Marsha Forest Centre: Inclusion Family - Community (Canada).

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents - January 2006

Communication and Supporting Skills Workshops for Parents of Children and Adults with Disabilities

Facilitators: Ray Murray and Frieda Finlay

January 13^th, 20^th, 27^th & February 3^rd, 10^th, 11^th, 24^th 2006, 10.30 am to 12.30pm. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

This Series of Workshop will describe the reactions and feelings that parents of disabled children and adults report they experienced when they were first told that their child had a disability. Opportunities will be provided for participants to share their experiences.

Conference: Alliances, Leadership, Advocacy and Change

Alliances, Leadership, Advocacy and Change at NIID

Nov 25^th & 26^th 2005. At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

Papers:

Seminar Series/Visiting Practitioner: A Multi Perspective Approach

Angus Capie, Director, Standards and Monitoring Service (SAMS) Wellington New Zealand

A Multi Perspective Approach to Consumer/ Family led evaluation of Day and Residential Services for People with Disability

Sept 26^th 2005, 12.30-2pm, At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

SAMS_A Multi Perspective Approach (PDF file, 209kB)

Visit: www.sams.org.nz

Conference: Lives Realised - Constructing Ordinary Lives in the Community

Dr. Carmel Laragy, La Trobe University, Melbourne Victoria

Constructing Ordinary Lives in the Community

Sept 5^th 2005, At NIID, Trinity College Dublin

Individualised Disability Services (PDF file, 219kB)

Achieving the Promise of Adulthood

Ian, a Brokerage, Individualised Budgeting, and Community Life

Dr. Dianne Ferguson, University of Missouri - St. Louis/Western Oregan University.

Achieving The Promise of Adulthood (PDF file, 3.66mB)

A Tale of Parents Supporting Other Parents: Benedikt's story:

Dr. Dora Bjarnason, Iceland University of Education.

Facilitated discussion on the Relevance of the Speakers' presentations for service development within Ireland

Response from Seminar Speakers

Seminar Series: On Becoming an Inclusive Researcher

The Norah Fry Approach to Inclusive Research

Professor Linda Ward, Director, Norah Fry Centre, University of Bristol

March 10^th, 12 - 2pm, Printing House, Trinity College Dublin

Approach to Inclusive Research(PDF file, 1.88mB)

April 26: Nothing About Us Without Us

Panel of Inclusive Researchers with learning difficulties from: Central England People First, North Hamptonshire and East Clare will discuss their involvement in community projects and on research teams

12 - 2pm, Room 4050A, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin

East Clare Project (PDF file, 3.01 mB)

Freeing the Voice of Disabled Citizens

Dr. Michael Shevlin, Education, Trinity College and Dr. Patricia Noonan Walsh, Centre for Disabilities Studies, UCD will discuss their involvement in recording and presenting the voice of children and adults with disability

May 19: 12 - 2pm, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2

Where To From Here?

Dr Patricia O'Brien, Director, National Institute for the Study of Learning difficulties, will review content of Seminar Series and invite seminar participants to discuss the setting up of a support group for inclusive researchers, as well as ways forward to fund inclusive research projects

June 23, 12 - 2pm, Printing House, Trinity College Dublin

Where To From Here(PDF file, 134 kB)

Working Inclusively with Oral History (postponed until further notice)

Dr Kelley Johnson, School of Social Science and Planning, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

Round Table Discussion Series: Disability Policy and Practice

Disability Policy: Will it make a difference?

Mr Seamus Greene, Director, National Parents and Siblings Alliance (NPSA)

Implications of the Disability Bill for Assessment of Need and Service Provision

February 25^th 2005, 1 - 2pm, Room 2026, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin

Implications of Disability Bill (PDF file, 52 kB)

Writing Educational Plans

Sonia Edwards, Education Officer, NIID, Trinity College

April 22^nd 2005, 1 - 2pm, Room 2026, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin

Implication of Setting Standards for Services

Karina Wallis, Day Services Manager, Day Resource Centre, Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, Portarlington

May 27^th 2005, 1 - 2pm, Room 2026, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin

Speaker: Deirdre Carroll, General Secretary, NAMHI

Implications for Setting Standards(PDF file, 304 kB)

Sectoral Plans. Will They Make a Difference for People with Disabilities?

Mary Keogh, Director, Forum for People with Disabilities

June 17^th 2005, (postponed until further notice)

Visiting Practitioner/Researcher Series

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in collaboration with FAS Ireland

Dr. Kieran O'Malley, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

April 29^th 2005, 7 - 8.30pm, Room 3074, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin

Multi-Modal Management Strategies for Families of Children and Adolescents with FASD

FASD Multimodal Strategies(PDF file, 4.77 mB)

Literacy in New Zealand: Success and Challenges

Dr. Libby Limbrick, Head of Centre for Language and Languages, Faculty of Education, University of Auckland, New Zealand

May 5^th 2005, 4.30 - 6pm, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2

Are you interested in hearing about the work of teachers who specialize in Literacy Development?

Literacy Education in New Zealand (PDF file, 115 kB)

FASD in Ireland: Needs of Children and Families

Professor Susan Ryan, Fulbright Scholar, University of Alaska, Anchorage

Discussing the implications for intervention and supports for children with FASD and their families

June 16^th 2005, 4.30 - 6pm, Room 1.10, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2