Disability Awareness Training

As a result of the Disability Act 2005 many people, businesses and organisations are affording more attention to people with disability who may wish to access their services and information.

Disability Awareness Training informs the attendees about the social and physical barriers experienced by people with disability. Disability Awareness Training also addressed society’s concern about using words that might inadvertently cause offence.

Irish Wheelchair Association tailors your Disability Awareness Training to meet your exact needs and ensures the appropriate etiquette while working with people with disability. Disability Awareness Training is also designed to afford management and staff the knowledge to provide best service practice to clients with disability. In addition, Disability Awareness Training seeks to maximise working relationships with all staff members be they with or without disability.

The Aim of the Disability Awareness Training is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to enhance their understanding of disability including facilitation practice that will ultimately impact positively on the quality of life for disabled people and other marginalised groups.

The objectives of Disability Awareness Training are:

 

On completion of Disability Awareness Training you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding

  • Explore your own understanding of disability
  • Discuss and appreciate definitions of disability
  • Identify and critically debate the Medical and Social Models of Disability
  • Explore the history of disability and its negative/positive impact on society including Legislative framework.
  • Explore different disabilities including physical, sensory, intellectual disability, learning difficulties and mental illness
  • Have an overview of Epilepsy and necessary action.
  • Identify and discuss societal barriers and obstacles towards people with disability
  • Discuss equal opportunities for people with disabilities
  • Facilitate social inclusion through disability proofing

Professional Skills

  • Identify further learning needs in relation to diversity, disability and equality
  • Reflect on your role as a professional interacting with people with disability.

Transferable Skills

  • Communication: use of politically correct language when and where appropriate. Increase positive communication when conversing with people with disability
  • Team work: As a facilitator, empower people to achieve their goals and carry out agreed tasks in a responsible fashion when working with a person with a disability

FÁS Funding & Eligibility

The Disability Awareness Training Scheme is open to all companies in the private sector. Training grants are available for the development of personnel at all levels and occupations within this sector. The Disability Awareness Training Scheme is suitable for companies interested in:

  • Employing or retaining people with disability
  • Promoting the employment of people with disability
  • Promoting management of diversity within their workplace

Funding for the Disability Awareness Training Scheme is available from FÁS to companies at a level of 90% of costs in the first year and 80% of costs in subsequent years. The maximum funding available to a company is €20,000.00 in any one calendar year.

Interested parties should contact:

Imelda Gaffney
Training Department
Irish Wheelchair Association
Blackheath Drive
Clontarf
Dublin 3
Tel: 01-8186400
Fax: 01-8333873
Email: training@iwa.ie