Community Engagement
Community Engagement
The Access Office recognises that real change comes from working collaboratively with other organisations with common goals. IADT’s Access Officer and Project Co-Ordinator work closely with external stakeholders, sharing ideas and working collaboratively to provide meaningful initiatives tailored to suit the needs of the participants. Through regular contact and site visits, solid strong relationships have been forged with local Partnerships, the Social Inclusion Unit, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Adult Education Office, Dun Laoghaire VEC, Dun Laoghaire Refugee Project, Local Education for Adult Progression (LEAP), Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD), AONTAS (Association of Adult Education) and other local and national groups.
Schools Programme
The Access office runs programmes both on and off campus and has developed strong contacts with our local Delivering Equality In Schools (DEIS) schools. Seventy second level students attended after school taster programmes in Psychology, Multimedia, Marketing, Animation and Portfolio Preparation during the 2009/10 academic year. This initiative is also taking place during this current academic year.
QUOTE: Ms. Eileen Morris Principal Holy Child Community School Sallynoggin
“… They (the students) have told me personally how much they enjoyed it and how much they benefited from it!! Their interest was also manifested by their commitment in attending and it was lovely for me to see them waiting for the bus before the "event" So may I express the gratitude and appreciation of the Holy Child staff and Board of Management for your admirable efforts in the IADT to expand the horizons of our students. We look forward to working with you on many more projects in the future”
Outreach Programme
Traveller Community
Links were established via Bray and Southside Partnerships and several initiatives were completed during 2009/10 academic year. Forty five members of the Traveller community from Bray and Southside Travellers participated in various outreach programmes.
QUOTE: Journalist Eoghan Harris writing in the Sunday Independent 30/5/10 on IADT’s Graduate Exhibition…
“As a bonus, take time to study the stunning montage produced by a team of young Traveller girls from South County Dublin as part of the IADT’s access programme. The girls themselves chose the title. It’s called Happiness”.
Community digital media centre
Through their different activities IADT’s Film in Schools office (FIS) and the Access programme offer complementary ways of working towards shared objectives of countering disadvantage and promoting inclusion in the local community. IADT’s FIS and Access offices in partnership with other community stakeholders, have developed a Community Digital Media Centre funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund. This project is designed to encourage children and young people to participate in after school community based programme. Participants develop their understanding of film as a medium of expression and acquire key skills in important areas, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking.
Community Collaboration
Other initiatives recently held on campus include the AHEAD Conference on Dyslexia and co-hosted by IADT in March 2010. World Refugee Day event co-hosted by IADT, DL Refugee project, Social Inclusion Unit, DLRCC and Southside Partnership takes place annually on campus. The Dun Laoghaire VEC LIFE programme is delivered on campus weekly during the academic year for adults with intellectual disabilities.
