Latest College News
Courses, Courses, Everywhere…
Decision Made! You have made the decision to return to education. You have decided the time is right to take this step but perhaps you are unsure of where to go next. The range and scope of courses available is…
Read MoreReturning to Learning
So you are thinking of returning to learning? Feel the fear….and do it anyway! Whatever the motivation behind your decision to return to education, it is quite natural to feel anxious about your decision. This is quite common, for any…
Read MoreThe Art of Inclusion
When leaving the new library in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday, I was surprised to come across an exhibition being held by Downes Syndrome Ireland (DSI). The ‘Here I am’ exhibition (more on the exhibition photographed by Dan Murphy here). All…
Read MoreLoneliness is the only real disability
David Pityonak in his paper Implications and Recommendations For Policy Makers (2003), stated that loneliness is the only real disability (see the paper here). The Loneliness of the Service User People who are in services are lonely. They have very…
Read MoreWhat do social care workers do?
When asked by a person at a party what do you do, how would a social care worker reply? What is a social care worker? What do they do? An imagined conversation may go like this. Are you a social…
Read MoreEurovision Disability Punk Revolution
[dropcap style=” box,”]P[/dropcap]unk has long been the music of rebellion. Best exemplified by the Sex Pistols and their lead singer who has since gone on to advertise butter, Johnny Rotten. The man who screamed into the microphone, ‘ever get the…
Read MorePeople Planning
[dropcap style=” box,”]P[/dropcap]lanning is a big part of service provision. Supporting a person to plan their life is a massive undertaking. Think of your own life and if someone supported you to plan for every part of your day, year,…
Read MoreThe Mental Health Go to Guy
This time last year, the College lost one of its true friends, Mark Logan. Mark, if you did not know him, worked for Rehab in Galway, loved his family, music and Chelsea Football Club amongst many other things. In the…
Read MoreDisable the labels
The world can be a confusing, complicated place. To deal with this the human brain is very keen on the creation of labels and cognitive shortcuts to try to put some order on the chaos. The terms used about people…
Read MoreChoice as an alternative to ultimatums
‘Choice is a powerful alternative to punishment. If the person’s behaviour challenges you, help him to find more desirable ways to express the needs underlying the behaviours. Instead of ultimatums, give choices (e.g. “Bill, I know you’re upset. What would…
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