Down Syndrome and EmployAbility centres opened
DISABILITY Minister Finian McGrath was in Tralee last Wednesday to open a new premises for the Kerry Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland and a new office for the Kerry EmployAbility Service.
The new premises at Balloonagh Estate in Tralee will enable Down syndrome Ireland to provide group courses, meetings, parent and toddler groups and youth groups. It will become the hub for administration of all the charity’s work throughout the whole of Kerry.
Chairperson with Down Syndrome Kerry, Rachel Fitzgerald, said it would make the organisation more visible.
The Dublin based Independent Minister praised the work done by Down Syndrome Ireland.
“Associations such as Down Syndrome Ireland work tirelessly to support people with a disability to realise their full potential, enabling them to fulfil their hopes and ambitions,” he said.
The Minister promised the Government will continue to improve services and increase supports for people with disabilities.
“Innovative community projects such as the one in Tralee allow people with a disability to live independent lives, exercise greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to meet their needs and plan lives,” Minister McGrath said.
“The great work put in by the Kerry Branch of Down syndrome Ireland in opening their new premises is an example of our shared vision that people with disabilities are supported in maximising their potential, and that barriers to their access to services, education, employment or healthcare are removed,” the Minister added.
Earlier on Wednesday morning the Minister also visited Upper Rock Street where he opened the new EmployAbility Service Kerry office.
EmployAbility Service Kerry is one of the 23 EmployAbility agencies nationwide, established by Government in 2004 to work with job seekers who have a disability and want to find full or part-time employment.
They also provide an employment service for members of the Travelling Community.
The service has seven ‘job coaches’ covering the whole county, supporting employers, employees and job seekers,
Outside of Tralee they use local offices or community centres to meet clients and assist them in sourcing the right job for them.
Over the past 13 years 1,475 Kerry people have used the services of their job coaches, with a many finding and retaining suitable employment. Clients have also been helped in accessing training and education, internships or job schemes on their way to employment.
“Working with a job coach has enhanced the employability, confidence and communication skills of clients. Their ongoing services to employers has facilitated the employment and retention of good staff and raised awareness of accommodating people with many different types of disability in the workplace,” said Miriam Ryan of the EmployAbility Service.
Their service is fully accessible and confidential and open to anyone with a disability between 18 and 65 who wishes to work full or part time, or to be a member of the travelling community over 18.
People are referred to their service through their Social Welfare or Local Employment Service office and receive the services of a job coach for over a year.