TUS provides access to higher education for students with intellectual disabilities in Limerick

STUDENTS with intellectual disabilities will be able to access NFQ Level 6 accredited courses in Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) from next January.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O’Donovan recently announced additional investment in PATH 4, enabling the TUS Midlands and Midwest campuses to provide equity of access to higher education opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

This will be achieved through the proposed TUS Shine Scholars programme, which consists of six individual Special Purpose Awards (SPAs) that are on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Level 6.

This structure enables students to accumulate credits as they move through the programme, offering credited exit opportunities if any student chooses to leave the programme. Work placements will be tailored to the individual interest, competencies and needs of the students.

Students will be able to attend mainstream tutorial or practical classes on existing university modules to provide an authentic university experience and facilitate peer-to-peer and social learning opportunities.

The programme is designed to give learners with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to secure gainful employment upon graduation.

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President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane said, “TUS is committed to providing regionally relevant education that is accessible to all, and this programme supports that mission while resonating strongly with our values. 

“For true equality it is important that students of this course are immersed in the full university experience, and that is why we have developed the TUS Shine Scholars programme which includes further supports to allow this to happen.”

TUS Vice President Student Education and Experience Frances O’Connell added, “PATH 4 provides accredited learning opportunities for all students with intellectual disabilities. The Shine Scholars Programme will initially run on our TUS Athlone and Moylish campuses from January 2025, with a view to wider provision in our other campuses in the region over time.” 

“The longer-term impact will be on the lives of our graduates from this programme who will experience greater levels of independence and inclusion in their communities through employment and education,” she explained.

“By having an accredited Level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), the learner will also have further learning opportunities open to them should they wish to pursue further studies.”