Family Lámh Course

We have organised 2 Family Lámh courses for our members starting on Monday 4th March and Monday 11th March. The Family Lámh Course can be attended by parents, siblings, grandparents, Teachers, SNA’s and others close to the family. Each course will have a maximum of 12 attendees per course. The time of the course will … Read more Family Lámh Course

Purple Run 2019 Registration Now Open

Purple Run 2019 Register here https://eventmaster.ie/event/M71cbdiBz Down Syndrome Ireland’s Purple Run is a celebration of World Down Syndrome Day and encourages everyone to ‘Run with us, not for us’. Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 11:00 (Eire) Furze Road Phoenix Park, Dublin Contact person: Athletics Ireland phone: + 353 (0)1 8869933 email: roadraces@athleticsireland.ie http://www.downsyndrome.ie Event Description: The event is all inclusive and open to … Read more Purple Run 2019 Registration Now Open

ADULT EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SOUGHT FOR ADULT EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME Down Syndrome Ireland’s Ability programme was launched in September 2018 and is aimed at providing further education and preparation for employment for our over 18s. The programme has been developed in conjunction with Accenture, a global management consultancy firm and with the support of funding from … Read more ADULT EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT

‘Please don’t Leave us Behind’ education campaign launched at Leinster House

Children with Down syndrome being ‘actively discriminated against’   Students with Down syndrome are being denied their right to an effective education due to a lack of resources and training for teachers. Down Syndrome Ireland is calling on the Government to adequately resource and roll out a national training programme for teachers in mainstream schools. … Read more ‘Please don’t Leave us Behind’ education campaign launched at Leinster House

Exciting Job Opportunities – Carlingford Adventure Centre

**Exciting Job Opportunities**   As part of the DSI Employment Support programme, we are looking for TWO adults with Down syndrome for upcoming work in Carlingford Adventure Centre. The work will begin in March, but full training will be provided before beginning work. Possible Duties/Job Roles available include: -Catering Assistant -Hospitality & housekeeping -Admin assistant … Read more Exciting Job Opportunities – Carlingford Adventure Centre

DSI to present in Leinster House on education resources for children with Down syndrome – we want to hear from you

Representatives from Down Syndrome Ireland will be attending Leinster House on January 30th to make a presentation to TD’s and Senators in relation to both:

 

  • July Provision for children with Down syndrome
    July Provision is the extended school year which is not available to the vast majority of children with Down syndrome, leaving them at an educational disadvantage.

 

  • The current issues relating to Individual Education Plans (IEPs) at post primary schools
    Teachers’ Unions – the ASTI and TUI – have both recently advised their members to stop providing these critical planning processes for children with additional educational needs due to resource issues. IEPs are vital to ensure a positive learning environment for students with Down syndrome.

 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We are eager to hear from as many parents as possible on both of these issues to ensure that your voices and concerns are heard by our elected representatives.

As such, can you please email us at info@downsyndrome.ie outlining:

  • Why is July Provision necessary for your child?
  • Why is it critical that IEPs are in place for their child at post-primary school?
  • We would also value any comments from parents relating to your experiences to date with your child’s IEP at post-primary school.

Please include your name, your location, your child’s name and age.

We will only use you and your child’s forenames and county in the document presented to TDs and Senators attending.

To enable us to draft a document with your responses, we would need to have your thoughts and comments by next Thursday, January 24th at the latest.

We will keep you updated on our progress.

https://downsyndrome.ie/dsi-to-present-in-leinster-house-on-education-resources-for-children-with-down-syndrome-we-want-to-hear-from-you/

 

Down Syndrome Ireland meets teachers’ union on Individual Education Plans decision

Dear Member, Wishing you a very Happy New Year from all of us here in Down Syndrome Ireland. As you may be aware, the ASTI teachers union issued an instruction to its members just before Christmas to stop implementing Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students with additional needs due to resource issues. As a result, Down … Read more Down Syndrome Ireland meets teachers’ union on Individual Education Plans decision

Down Syndrome Ireland to seek urgent meeting with Teachers Union and the Department of Education & Skills

Hi everyone, We hope you are well in the run up to Christmas! We wanted to let you know that Down Syndrome Ireland is to seek an urgent meeting with the Department of Education & Skills and the ASTI following the teachers union instructing its members to stop engaging in vital planning processes for children … Read more Down Syndrome Ireland to seek urgent meeting with Teachers Union and the Department of Education & Skills