28 January, 2025

The School of Humanities staff began delivering advocacy classes in MTU in 2014. These classes have been a great success for participants and have gone from strength to strength. People supported by Horizons travel to the Bishopstown Campus to partake in the classes where they learn to become self-advocates and advocates for others.

Graduates of the programme are given opportunities to put their learning into action as they can become members of the Advocacy Council in Horizons. Students are also given the opportunity to experience college life, and a favourite part of the day is the visit to the student canteen. Each year, 20 students are welcomed to take part in a beginner’s series of classes, and the following year, these students are invited to partake in classes in areas such as art, music, cookery, adapted physical activity and IT. In 2024, the initiative was short-listed for a Cork Learning City Award, and staff and students attended City Hall to receive their award.

Additionally, graduates of the programme and other people supported by Horizons are invited to partake in Job Shadow Day. This is an annual event, where people with an intellectual disability shadow staff in various workplaces throughout Ireland. The event gives participants an opportunity to partake in work settings, with the aim of gaining meaningful employment for these young people. According to the Central Statistics Office (2022), those with an intellectual disability have a very low participation rate in the Irish labour force, averaging around 13%. This is much lower than the European average.

MTU is delighted to partner with the Ability @Work programme in Horizons, and currently employ three young people, with an intellectual disability, who are excellent workers. Prof Margaret Linehan, Head, School of Humanities said ‘it is a privilege to teach these advocacy classes, the students are very dedicated, and it is great to see them develop, grow in confidence and have higher self-esteem at the end of the programme. In relation to the Ability @ Work programme, people with an intellectual disability bring a positive dynamic to the workplace, they are very committed and hardworking. I would highly recommend providing workplace opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. There is great support provided by the Ability @Work team, before employing these young people and while they are employed’.

Find out more on the Ability@Work Programme with Horizons on their website:

https://www.horizonscork.ie/what-we-do/working/ or contact Marian Hennessey Ability@Work Co-Ordinator at hennessym@horizonscork.ie

If you are interested in learning more about how your organisation can collaborate  with MTU staff students or researchers contact us on: extended.campusCork@mtu.ie