Background

UCC’s achievements in challenging deficit-focused perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) were profiled in an Impact Case Study submitted to the Higher Education Authority in 2021. The case study described the Certificate in Contemporary Living, a 2-year part-time course which graduated over 100 students between 2010 and 2020. Established as a pilot project supported by the Brothers of Charity, Cope Foundation and Enable Ireland, it was designed to meet the need for non-segregated, inclusive post-secondary education for people with intellectual disabilities, and was recognised as a model of good practice. 

Based on this case study, funding of €1million was awarded in 2022 to support a new project called the id+ Project to develop rights-based, inclusive education programmes which:

a) Provide mutually beneficial learning synergies between students with and without disabilities

b) Enable PWID to develop skills for future learning and employment

c) Build capacity in inclusive education for PWID across the higher education sector.

In 2024 further finding was awarded to id+ under PATH 4: Phase 2 of the National Access Plan to develop course provision for students with intellectual disabilities which aims to:

1. Enhance course provision for students with intellectual disabilities across HEIs currently participating in the PATH programme, including students with intellectual disabilities from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and other National Access Plan priority groups.
2. Support future evidence-informed policy considerations in respect of the successful participation of students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.
3. Contribute to the implementation by HEIs of the Inclusivity goal.
4. Contribute to the creation of inclusive built and digital environments in higher education which can be accessed by all.
5. Develop the higher education sector’s capacity for inclusive teaching, learning and assessment to enable greater opportunities for participation in higher education by all students including students with intellectual disabilities.

This new project is called the id+futures project.