UCC Opens New Doors to Students with Disabilites

Assistive technology is often essential for a student with disabilities to achieve their academic and vocational goals.   This week University College Cork opened its new Assistive Technology Unit within their campus library.

The 535 students registered with UCC’s Disability Support Services plus the wider education community will have access to the most cutting edge technology.  Additionally, every computer across campus is accessible to visually impaired students.

Read the full article in The Irish TImes and learn how UCC are leaders in promoting an inclusive learning environment.

• Posted:18 Dec 2008 at 05:13 pm

Travel Advice for People with Disabilities

Planes, trains and automobiles!  With the holidays just around the corner, many of us will be flying, driving and ferrying our way home.  Perhaps even to a fabulous sunny holiday!  Travelling can be an exciting adventure or an absolute nightmare.  For people with disabilities, it is no different.  With a little added preparation and research, getting from point A to point B can be a breeze.

Disabled Travel Advice is a website which houses advice articles on travelling as a person with a disability.  Concentrating on the UK and Europe, these articles provide practical information on how to prepare, what to expect and what is available using different modes of transport.

• Posted:15 Dec 2008 at 03:58 pm

BBC Radio 4 - Listen to News Online

Tired of straining your eyes to keep up with current affairs?  Or perhaps you enjoy multitasking while surfing the Web.  Have a listen to live world news online!  BBC Radio 4 houses the latest news and a variety of programmes available in intelligent speech.

Remain In Touch with news relating to people who are blind or visually imapied through this BBC Radio 4 programme.

• Posted:11 Dec 2008 at 04:58 pm

Ability Awards Journey to Spain

In celebration of UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Kanchi and O2 announced Friday the expansion of the Ability Awards. Ireland has been home to the Ability Awards since 2004. Now, they travel to Spain through O2’s parent company, Telefonica.

The Ability Awards celebrate companies demonstrating best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities as employees and customers. Partnering with leaders in business, media and government, they engage three forces of social change around the value of diversity as a corporate asset. There are more than 50 million people with disabilities in the EU. The beginning of this international franchise will extend this innovative partnership which mutually benefits business and people with disabilities.

Danuta Gray, CEO – Telefonica O2 Ireland, said, “The O2 Ability Awards have encouraged and helped organisations of all backgrounds and sizes in Ireland to implement and set the standard of best practice both in the employment of people with disabilities and in the provision of products and services for customers with disabilities. I am delighted that achieving success in the O2 Ability Awards has quickly become a badge of honour for Irish businesses”.

Telefonica will officially launch the Awards in Spain next year.

• Posted:08 Dec 2008 at 12:25 pm

TCD Launches Guide to Supporting Staff with Disabilities

Trinity College Dublin launches their new manual: Supporting Staff with Disabilities: A Guide for Staff and Managers.  This is the first of its kind created by an Irish University. The guide focuses on removing unnecessary barriers to staff with disabilities and developing inclusive work practices.

“People with disabilities continue to face significant challenges in participating in the workplace. One of the most significant barriers are people’s attitudes and assumptions regarding their capacity in work. This guide offers examples of how practical measures can enable staff with disabilities to participate fully in employment, usually at a very low cost to the employer,” stated TCD Equality Officer, Karen Campos McCormack.

Quote taken from TCD Press Release

• Posted:05 Dec 2008 at 04:01 pm

CPL Lives Up to Motto “Placing People First”

Searching for that right person to meet the unique needs of your organisation can be a time consuming challenge.  CPL generously assisted Kanchi pro-bono in meeting this challenge with ease and excitement.  “The excellent team at CPL shared our passion as we enthusiastically embarked together on the journey of finding the best talent available” comments Kanchi Board Member, Ross McParland.

CPL provided professional assistance in:

• Job description and selection criteria
• Recruitment process
• Attracting candidates of the highest calibre
• Arranging best interview facilities
• Feedback to the candidates

Kanchi Board Member, Kathleen McLaughlin, served as panel member during interviews.  Needed documentation was provided in a timely manner and interview logistics were well taken care of she explains.  “I was free to focus on selecting the right candidate”

CPL’s expertise and commitment led Kanchi to its new Managing Director, Gabrielle Murphy, who will join the team at the start of the New Year.

Aaron O’Brien, CPL Client Services Director comments “Since our set-up in 1989 we have held the firm belief that identifying and employing the best talent in an organization determines the future growth and success of that organisation.  We are very proud to be associated with Kanchi and the important contribution they are making to the diversity agenda for Ireland and are very pleased to have partnered in the appointment of Gabrielle as their Managing Director”

• Posted:04 Dec 2008 at 04:46 pm

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3rd, marks the annual United Nations International Day of Persons With Disabilities.  The theme for 2008 is “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and Justice for All of Us”.

The UN held the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in May as part of a year long celebration of the 60th Anniversary o the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The Convention’s international treaty is designed to identify the rights of persons with disabilities and establish tools that will protect their equality.

This Day aims to promote understanding and encouraging people to become involved and recognise the value of inclusion.  Watch for events within your own community celebrating dignity and justice for all.

• Posted:02 Dec 2008 at 04:00 pm

Caroline Casey Attends Summit on Global Agenda

Caroline Casey attended the World Economic Forum’s Inaugural Summit on the Global Agenda.  Over 700 influential thinkers gathered in Dubai, forming Global Agenda Councils, each brainstorming on specific global challenges.  The 68 councils are designed to promote long term thinking and increase understanding of issues at hand.

Caroline serves on the Council on Diversity.  The council addressed diversity’s broadening definition and dimensions while focusing on employment and recent economic downturns.

Councils will provide a framework for discussion at the 2009 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

• Posted:02 Dec 2008 at 03:10 pm