TCD’s National Institute for Intellectual Disability Wins Aontas Star Award

Posted on: 09 January 2007

Trinity College’s National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID) won the All-Ireland Aontas Star Award for its delivery of the Certificate in Contemporary Living (CCL) as seen on RTÉ’s Nationwide recently. The national association of adult education, Aontas, presented NIID with the overall prize in recognition of the CCL course as an adult-learning project which through its collaborative and learner-centred approach, creates equal learning opportunities for all throughout Ireland.

The Aontas projects range from community-based initiatives to nationwide schemes, with each project focusing on a unique approach to adult learning. The categories are divided to cover the five provinces of Ireland and an All- Ireland category.

NIID Director, Patricia O’Brien, who welcomed the Aontas award said: “The NIID Certificate programme is premised on the belief that all people are valuable and that with support and opportunities for life long learning, people with intellectual disabilities can take their place in society as equal people. Through education programmes like the Certificate in Contemporary Living the work of the NIID is pivotal in helping to usher in an era of inclusion and opportunity.”

The Certificate programme consists of ten modules across the areas of social sciences, expressive arts and career planning and development. As part of the Certificate the CCL students are supported by other Trinity students as peer mentors and become active members of Trinity clubs and societies. The Certificate aims to fulfil the educational interests of adults with intellectual disability as well as enhancing both independent living and individual employability.

In its relatively short history, the Institute has already made a strong impact and its pioneering work in education, research and advocacy is helping to achieve real, tangible outcomes for people with intellectual disability.

NIID’s Education Officer, Molly O’Keeffe, attended the Aontas award ceremony with students from the course. Congratulations to all NIID students and staff involved.

NIID student, Greg Rooney with the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, at the official launch of the NIID last May.