University College Dublin
Centre for Disability Studies
Newsletter Autumn 2003
Students EYPD Public Lectures
In September, more than sixty postgraduate students registered for courses led by the Centre. Students from many disciplines - such as nursing, management, education, psychology and rehabilitation – who work with organizations throughout Ireland entered one of two Higher Diploma courses: Developmental Disabilities and Social & Vocational Rehabilitation. This year, students in both specialty areas will share core seminars.
The Centre also offers two taught MSc courses: in Developmental Disabilities and Rehabilitation Studies. Dr. Michael Timms is the Academic Director. External Examiners are Professor Sheila Riddell, University of Edinburgh, and Professor Philip McCallion, State University of New York, Albany, who will succeed Professor Geert van Hove, University of Ghent, Belgium.
Research degrees offered by the Centre comprise the MSc or PhD in Disability Studies.
In March, Professor Sheila Riddell presented the first of three public
lectures marking the European Year of People with Disabilities. Her lecture addressed current international trends in vocational rehabilitation, co-organized with the Rehab Group. A second lecture, organized with the Disability and Rights Unit, Faculty of Law, UCG
took place in June. Luis de Alba Góngora, Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico at the UN, spoke about a proposed UN Convention on the human rights of people with disabilities. In December, the National Institute for the Study of Learning Difficulties at TCD will be the partner for our third lecture, on the transition of young people to adulthood. An NDA award supports this lecture series.
Research Projects
Research work in progress covers crosscutting issues related to health, the workplace, advocacy and the prevalence of disability.
The Pomona project is funded by the public health programme of the EU and aims to develop a set
of health indicators for people with intellectual disabilities. Christine Linehan is the project’s senior researcher in Ireland.
The stress impact study is a trans-national project led in Ireland by a Rehab Group research team.
Michael Timms represents the Centre on the TRIADD project, whose aim is to develop training materials for personnel who support individuals with disabilities experiencing mental health difficulties. It is funded through the EU’s LEONARDO programme.
Anne O’Connor is currently engaged in a study funded by the NDA and led by the ESRI to develop and implement a pilot instrument for determining the prevalence of disability in Ireland.
The Centre for Disability Studies now incorporates programmes in rehabilitation studies as well as those offered since 1996 in the (former) Centre for the Study of Developmental Disabilities. The new Centre is part of the new Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies.
A Steering Group is made up of academic members of various departments and faculties within UCD. In addition, self-advocates, family members, professionals and friends make up a Board of Advisors who give generously of their time, wisdom and expertise.