IDK’s latest seminar, “Exploring Post-School and College Options”, was held in Dublin on November 3rd, 2011 for deaf teens and their parents to explore college, career and employment options.
Seminar topics covered:
- The DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) system
- Third-level college supports for deaf/hard-of-hearing students
- Internships and volunteer work for students
- Paid mentored placements for graduates
- Insights by deaf adults to their college and career pathways
The ‘Hearing’ Experience
First up, was IDK’s Caroline Carswell, who described her ‘hearing’ history, route to college and requests to TCD classmates for help to access teaching content. (Trinity College‘s disability office was established in 2006). Happily, while at Trinity, Caroline discovered computers and that path opened up.
Niamh Hayes from GetAHEAD added a humorous summary of her mainstream schooling and college experiences, before outlining her current work. A lead project, AHEAD’s Better Options Fair (Dublin, November 30th, 2011) is highly relevant to students considering college options for 2012.
A parent asked here, “which jobs are most suited to deaf people?”, in terms of finding a suitable college course. The unanimous response from the room was not to get stuck on “what jobs are possible” but to aim high, and to get into a college course of choice, THEN arrange your note-taking/ISL supports.
College Supports and Work Placements
Declan Reilly from TCD explained the DARE system, highlighting the critical application deadlines of February 1st, March 1st and April 1st – and college supports. (DARE will again be explained at Better Options, November 30th).
John-Paul Byrne from AHEAD’s Willing, Able Mentoring (WAM) project, showed an inspiring video to explain WAM’s model where a mentee (placed graduate) is supported by a workplace mentor. The mentoring relationship is facilitated by the manager, while the WAM team supports the placement.
Finally, Stuart Garland, manager at Fingal Volunteer Centre, presented volunteering and its ethos as a proactive way for students at any level to gain vital work experience. Volunteering by nature is inclusive, and allows students to test different areas of work, to identify their personal interests.
Further Reading
- Talking Your Way Into A Relevant Graduate Job
- Accessibility In Computer Training Environments
- Deaf Awareness For Business and Service Providers
