Education

Free Online Classes in Art and Computer Skills

by

The branch is very much aware that many of our adult members are missing out on learning opportunities because of the closure of services and classes due to the COVID-19 situation.

We are delighted to have been allocated tuition hours resources from the Louth Community Education Service of the Louth Meath Education and Training Board.

These tuition hours will support online classes in the areas of Art and Computer Skills. The two courses will be tailored to the needs of our members to help them to maintain/develop their artistic and computer skills over the next two months.

The classes will be delivered online to a class of approx’ 6-10 students. This will allow for a good level of interaction between the tutors and the students. We have had some very good feedback recently from members engaging in online classes and meetings.

We expect that this will form an increasingly important part of educational provision in the future and we invite our adult members to give it a try through these classes. This is a great opportunity especially if you haven’t done online classes before.

If you are interested in a class in Art or Computer Skills(or both), please email your contact details to:
Mike Egan at mike@downsyndrome.ie or call 085.8618866.

The weekly class times will be arranged to best suit the availability of the students and tutors. Give Mike a call if you have any questions

DSI Launches New Education Booklets

by

Down Syndrome Ireland are delighted to launch vital new resources for parents and teachers of children with Down syndrome in a variety of educational settings.

Our Supporting students with Down syndrome in post primary school booklet provides educators and parents alike with information and advise on how to help students with Down syndrome thrive in mainstream education settings.

 

There is information about Down syndrome, about the learning profile and about various issues which might interfere with a student’s ability to access the curriculum. Topics covered include literacy; numeracy; movement, sport and leisure; managing behaviour and social and emotional development. It also provides a pathway to Junior Cycle. With each chapter, there are suggestions of practical, manageable ways to help.

Our Supporting students with Down syndrome in special schools booklet provides parents and educators with information and advise on how to help students with Down syndrome thrive in special education settings. It also provides suggestions for intervention for children with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The move from primary to post primary school can often be difficult for any student. For a student with Down syndrome, that bit of extra thought, planning and preparation will help ease this transition – to the benefit of both the new arrival and the school. Our Supporting Students with Down syndrome transition from primary to post primary school  booklet outlines some simple initiatives and practical steps teachers and parents can take to support students.

A very useful tool to help ease the transition from primary to post primary school is preparing a ‘Getting Ready for Post Primary School – My Workbook’. Print off this workbook and personalise it with information, pictures and other useful tips and it can be used to prepare students for the move.

All four resources were launched this week at the first of our six Managing Behaviour & Transitions for the Student with Down syndrome education conferences taking place around the country.  If you are interested in attending any of our upcoming conferences, please visit here.

The booklets were produced by Down Syndrome Ireland thanks to funds raised through our HB Fundays campaign with HB Hazelbook Farm.

https://downsyndrome.ie/dsi-launches-new-education-booklets/

CCSP Scheme update

by

It has been announced that the Government will be extending the CCSP scheme until August 2021. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has confirmed that anyone registered at the close of the current registration window (October 25th) will be allowed to roll over into the following year.

The Government is also extending the maximum enhanced hours to 45 hours per week and maximum standard hours to 20 hours with effect from Sept 2020.

We’ll update you when we hear more.

https://downsyndrome.ie/ccsp-scheme-update/

Regional Advisory Council

by

The Regional Advisory Council held its first formal meeting on September 4th in Conyngham Arms hotel Slane.

The newly formed Regional Advisory Council(RAC) is an independent self-advocacy group for adults with Down syndrome in the North East area. The 14 member council, consisting primarily of people from Meath and Louth but also some from Westmeath and Cavan, is the first of its kind within DSI’s 25 branches. Based on the successful National Advisory Council developed over a number of years, the RAC offers an opportunity for the branch members to have a structured input into the plans and activities of DSI in the region.

Speaking at the first meeting of the Council, Louth Meath branch chairperson Paul Radford said:

“We are proud to be the first branch in Ireland to commence the Regional Advisory Council initiative. We have known for a long time, as both parents and committee members, that people with Down syndrome have their own voice and opinion about how they want to live their lives. The RAC will ensure that those voices are listened to, those opinions respected and acted upon.”

Council facilitator and DSI National Advocacy Officer, Helena Connors said:

“We are delighted that the Louth Meath branch are taking the lead on the RAC programme and we hope to follow suit with other branches across our countrywide membership. Over the next two years, the Regional Advisory Council members will engage in structured self-advocacy and organisational skills training that will enable them to be confident and effective self-advocates. They will be electing their own officers and speaking out on the issues of concern to themselves and the communities in which they live. Watch this space!”

https://downsyndrome.ie/a-national-first-for-the-north-east/

Allyson Maher Helena Connors DSI council ficilitator national advocacy officer , Megan Mc Cormick ,Brendan O’ Shea and Niamh Mc Nally at the newly formed regional advisory council Launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane Photo Jimmy Weldon

Conor O’ Dowd, Fintan Bray,Mike Egan Louth Meath resource officer,Tomas Nally and Cathal Byrne at the newly formed DSI regional advisory council Launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane Photo Jimmy Weldon

Annmarie Whelan, Fintan Bray and Elearnor Murray at the newly formed DSI regional advisory council Launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane Photo Jimmy Weldon

Paul Radford Chairperson, Liam Foley,Helena Connors DSI council ficilitator national advocacy officer, Fintan Bray, Mike Egan DSI Louth , Meath resource officer at the newly formed regional advisory launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane

Education Conference 2019/2020

by

Down Syndrome Ireland have organised Education Conferences for 2019/2020.

“Managing Behaviour & Transitions for the Student with Down Syndrome”

“Supporting the Child with Down Syndrome in Mainstream Primary School”

 

Please note: early booking is essential as, due to the high costs involved, the conferences will only go ahead if sufficient numbers are booked. Each Primary, Post-Primary and Special School have also been notified.

Full details and a booking facility for each conference will be available on www.downsyndrome.ie from September 1st2019.

 

DSI calls for IEPs to become a legal right and access to revised July Provision scheme

by

Message from Gary Owens, CEO, Down Syndrome Ireland

DSI calls for IEPs to become a legal right and access to revised July Provision scheme during meeting with Minister for Education Joe McHugh

Dear Member,

We hope this email finds you well.

As you may be aware, we met with the Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh and Department officials to discuss the education needs for children with Down syndrome, including access to July Provision and for Individual Education Plans to be enshrined in law.

The outcome of the recent High Court actions regarding July Provision are confidential but the Department has clarified that the children were not admitted to the programme. We argued for the scheme to be extended to every child with Down syndrome for this year but, according to the Department, this is not possible.

However, the scheme as it stands is currently under review and we are happy to say – following our meetings and ‘Please Don’t Leave Us Behind’ education campaign – Down Syndrome Ireland will be strongly represented in the consultation process, which is due to take place this Autumn. We understand that there will be a needs based approach to the scheme from Summer 2020. We will continue to strongly advocate for all children with Down syndrome who wish to avail of the new scheme to be automatically eligible.

Individual Education Plans

At the meeting, we continued to call for Individual Education Plans to become a legal requirement for all children who need them, including for children with Down syndrome.

Effective planning is key to supporting a child with Down syndrome to succeed at all stages of their educational journey.

A fully inclusive education is a right, not a privilege. Down Syndrome Ireland has long campaigned for the EPSEN Act 2004 to be fully enacted so that the rights of students with additional educational needs are enshrined in law, rather than depending on encouragement from the Department of Education and Skills and the goodwill of schools and teachers.

Students with Down syndrome were recently reminded that they have no legal right to an Individual Education Plan (IEPs). IEPs are documents that identify children’s special educational needs and set goals to meet those needs. At present, IEPs are not legally required in our school system as the provision requiring IEPs in the EPSEN ACT is not implemented.

Our call comes after Teachers’ Unions the ASTI and TUI advised their members in Autumn 2018 to stop implementing IEPs for students with additional needs, such as those with Down syndrome, due to a lack of funding and adequate training provided to their members.

The answer to a Parliamentary Question about the implementation and resourcing of the EPSEN Act 2004 makes it clear that the Government accepts that the funds needed for its full implementation have not, and will not, be provided. The current Department of Education and Skills’ position seems to be that schools are encouraged to implement large parts of the EPSEN Act without having the necessary resources.

We called for a plan to be initiated immediately to ensure that teachers are resourced and trained to meet the needs of all their students.

Since then, our ‘Please Don’t Leave Us Behind’ campaign has seen us host a briefing for politicians in Leinster House, we have appeared in front of the Joint Oireachtas Education Committee, we have met directly with both Unions and met with the Department of Education and Skills. Still, nothing has changed. We remain deeply disappointed and angered that the education needs of children with intellectual disabilities remains a bargaining tool between Teachers’ Unions and the Department of Education and Skills. Children with Down syndrome are being activity discriminated against. It’s shameful that 15 years after the EPSEN Act was first became law, it has still not been fully enacted.

We continue to call for a plan to be initiated immediately to ensure that teachers are resourced and trained to meet the needs of all their students.

We will keep you posted on our progress.

Thanks and have a lovely weekend.

With very best wishes,

Gary Owens
CEO
Down Syndrome Ireland

ADULT EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION EVENING

by

Reminder: Wednesday 3rd April @ 7pm.

Hi All

Aoife Gaffney, National Employment & Projects Officer and Rosalind Walsh, Adult Education Officer from Head Office are visiting the Branch.

They will visit on Wednesday 3rd April @ 7pm in the Conyngham Arms Hotel Slane to give a talk to interested members.  They will present on the entire Ability Programme (Latch On, MOTE, Work Skills) and talk in more detail then about Work Skills and employment links.

ADULT EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT

 

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 Pobal.

In its complete format, the programme runs for 4 days per week from September to June for 2 years with modules in Practical Literacy and Technology; Decision Making, Rights and Responsibilities; Work Skills and preparation for employment.

Louth/Meath branch will run and subsidise the programme from September 2019 if there is sufficient interest. Location will depend on the level of interest. It is an option to run just parts of the programme and this may suit members who have already completed Latch on and Mote programmes who would prefer to do the only Work Skills module. Again, it will depend on demand.

Planning for a class in September 2019 must begin NOW. If you are interested in any way or would like more details, please contact;

Geraldine Regan, 087 8157542, foleyregan246@gmail.com or

Audrey O’Dowd, 086 0537177, audrey.odowd@gmail.com

Expression of interest is not a commitment to enrolling in the programme.

Further details in the attached flyer and also in the current Down Syndrome Ireland magazine.

Adult Education & Employment Scheme 2018 3 (1)

Family Lámh Course

by

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 be 7-9.00 pm each evening.

The courses will take place in the Conyngham Arms Hotel Slane Co Meath.

Please reply back to me on the email secretarydslm@gmail.com or phone/Text Brendan on 083 8972044 ASAP if you wish to book a place on the course stating which course would suit best.

Places will be awarded on a first come first served basis.

Places are limited to 2 participants per member family as we wish to make it available to as many members as possible.

Course 1 Dates Course 2 Dates
4th March Monday 11th March Monday
25th March Monday 1st April Monday
8th April Monday 29th April Monday
7th May Tuesday 13th May Monday
20th May Monday 27th May Monday

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

by

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 Syndrome Ireland requested an urgent meeting with the teacher’s union. Following the robust meeting with the ASTI late last week, Down Syndrome Ireland remains concerned about the decision of the teacher’s union to advise members to stop documenting Individual Educational Plans for children with additional needs.

We understand that the ASTI, while supporting the principle of including students with Down syndrome in mainstream schools, is concerned at the lack of training provided to teachers to enable them to meet the needs of students. The ASTI representatives described an increasingly bureaucratic process of documenting support plans which they believe is unmanageable without additional resources and training. The union has advised (but not directed) that ASTI teachers refuse to provide individual student support files until additional training and resources are in place. During the meeting, we were advised that current good practice in planning and differentiating the curriculum will continue for existing students and will be applied to new students in the coming years and that the advice to withdraw from written education plans is necessary until training can be provided.

We are aware that this action is not limited to teachers who are members of the ASTI, as the TUI recently issued similar advice to their members.

While we understand the concerns, we cannot accept any action which discriminates against students who have intellectual disabilities. We believe that students with Down syndrome will suffer and will struggle to be successful in education if they don’t have structured education planning in place. We support the ASTI in their call for training for all mainstream post primary teachers on supporting students with special educational needs, but we are concerned that their current position will lead to discrimination against our members. An inclusive society begins with inclusive education, and any action which undermines the success of this inclusion cannot be accepted.

Students with Down syndrome have the right to be educated in their local mainstream school. It is not unreasonable to expect that any additional training and resources required should be provided. It is shameful that, like other pieces of legislation about the rights of people with disabilities, the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act, 2004 (EPSEN) Act has never been fully enacted, as successive governments have been unwilling to provide the necessary resources for its implementation. The EPSEN Act includes a requirement for schools to provide IEPs for students with additional educational needs. 

Down Syndrome Ireland continues to campaign for the EPSEN Act to be fully enacted and adequately resourced so that the rights of students with additional educational needs are enshrined in law, rather than depending on the goodwill of schools and teachers. 

We would like to acknowledge the willingness of the ASTI to engage with DSI to discuss concerns. We have contacted the Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D seeking an urgent meeting on the matter.

We have called on the ASTI to reflect on the impact of their position on our members, and the potential consequences.

We are also due to meet the TUI in the coming days to discuss the issue.

We are calling on the Department of Education and Skills to engage with all stakeholders and respond to the need for a national rollout of training and resources to support the inclusion of students with Down syndrome at all stages of their education.

We will of course keep up updated on our progress.

With very best wishes,

Gary Owens
CEO
Down Syndrome Ireland