Home » Regional » Ennis » Latch-On marks a European first

Latch-On marks a European first

Car Tourismo Banner

 

Sean Nestor, Mairead Hehir, Marie O Friel, Nadin Reichel, support worker, and Jill Hayes with Betty Murphy, teacher, in class at Latch On, a literacy programme for adults with Down Syndrome. Photograph by John Kelly

THE Clare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland is among the first in Europe to begin offering an innovative literacy programme for adults with Down Syndrome in Ennis.

The programme, Latch-On (Literacy and Technology Hands-on) was devised in Australia and has begun this week in the Clare Language Centre with 12 students taking part in the two-year course.

According to Barbara Roche, treasurer of the Clare Branch of DSI, “This is a very exciting time for our adult members and offers them a chance of a lifetime to begin or improve their literacy through the world’s best adult literacy programme. A lot of hard work has gone on in the background to get us to this stage so we are delighted to see the course starting this week.”

Down Syndrome Ireland has been awarded the national licence to exclusively offer the programme in Ireland, the first European country to succeed in acquiring the licence. The adult literacy programme is set to be rolled out through DSI branches, with the Clare branch this week being one of the first to commence the programme.

Barbara explained the background behind the programme. “Grainne Murphy, the education officer of Down Syndrome Ireland did the research on this, she wanted to get the best literacy programme she could.

Latch-On is a two year literacy programme for people with intellectual disability. The programme provides opportunity for adults with Down Syndrome to commence and continue their literacy development.”
Latch-On adopts a method of theme-based teaching; which allows for differentiation of work for students of varying levels of ability. The programme is suitable for beginner, intermediate and advanced readers.

Twelve adult students have signed up to this programme and will be taught on two full days per week by a qualified and trained teacher and two assistant tutors over a period of two years, in Ennis. The programmebegan this week and will recommence in September.

“We have a very experienced teacher and volunteer tutors. Because there are 12 students of different levels of ability it is important that we have the tutors so everybody can benefit. It allows the teacher to break the group up into different abilities,” Barbara explained.

Research findings into the programme indicate that individuals with intellectual disabilities have achieved levels of literacy that were once regarded as unattainable.

Long term outcomes of the programme include growth in a broad range of literacy skills; opportunities to use technology; improved independence and increased ability to participate in the broader community.

“Such achievements have been possible because of an increased recognition of the need to maintain literacy as part of lifelong learning. When adults with intellectual disability are provided with opportunities to broaden their literacy education through appropriate teaching and learning strategies, they continue todevelop and improve their language and literacy skills,” said Barbara.

“We are very positive about this programme, the experience in Australia is that it will be of massive benefit. Everybody makes different gains obviously and everybody has their own particular goal. Some want to get a job, others want to better their skills, others might want to become more integrated in their community and become more independent. The whole focus of this is to try and get the particular student to the best of their ability and to reach their maximum goal.”

According to Barbara the course has come at a “considerable” cost to the families involved and the Clare branch of DSI. She is urging people to support the Tour de Munster charity cycle that will take place in August.

“This is our main fundraiser so we are hoping that people will show their support. More than 100 cyclists from all over Munster will be taking part in the four day 600 kilometre cycle with all funds going directly to Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland,” said Barbara.

The Clare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland was founded in 1984 by a group of parents of children with Down Syndrome. The branch is affiliated with the national organisation DSI and its main aims include supporting families and individuals with Down Syndrome to establish links and contacts with each other. Activities include organising speakers to give parent talks, seminars and workshops on aspects of Down Syndrome such as early intervention, medical issues, education, teenage years and independent living.

They also organise social events, swimming lessons, drama and music activities, speech therapy, new parents link and lámh sign language classes.

To contact the Clare branch for information telephone 6841284.

About News Editor

Check Also

Council accused of a ‘cheap job’ on Hermitage Road

RESIDENTS of one of Ennis’ most historic housing estates have been left “hugely disappointed” with …