The achievements of the first Creative Pathways programme students at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) were recognised at an event on April 24 in the Institute’s Digital Media Building that included friends and families of the students, IADT staff running the pilot programme, and professionals working in the field of intellectual disabilities. Tánaiste Simon Harris, who played a significant part in securing the funding for the programme, was the keynote speaker.

The Creative Pathways programme at IADT is part of a pilot scheme involving 11 higher education institutions nationally that aims to support an enhancement of course provision for students with intellectual disabilities, and to also inform future policy considerations for students with such disabilities.

“The achievements of this first class of Creative Pathways students at IADT is to be truly celebrated. Over the two years of their course, this group of 10 pioneers has become an important part of the IADT community, and they have proven through their talent and creativity, and their huge enthusiasm for learning, that students with intellectual disabilities fully deserve the right to participate in the opportunities that higher education can offer,” said David Smith, IADT’s President.

 

“Providing real access to the benefits of higher education is very much at the heart of IADT’s mission, in both how we teach our students, and in the range of creativity-based programmes we offer, particularly in our role as a leading provider of skilled graduates to the creative industries sector in Ireland. It is also a pleasure to be able to celebrate this day with those closest to today’s graduates, with the IADT staff most closely involved in the two-year course, and with Tánaiste Simon Harris, who was instrumental in securing the funding for this innovative and rewarding programme,” added Mr Smith.

This pilot programme was managed by the Faculty of Film, Art and Creative Technologies at IADT, and over two years, the 10 students participated in co-learning courses, existing academic programmes, and specially developed modules. The Creative Pathways students at IADT completed modules in photography, film making, and scriptwriting, in addition to specially developed modules including Learning to Learn.

“It is a real honour to visit IADT and to celebrate the achievements of the first class to graduate from Creative Pathways. Today is about recognising the work of the ten students who have shown, through their talent, creativity and determination, exactly what can be achieved when opportunity is opened up to everyone,” said Tánaiste Simon Harris.

“Programmes like Creative Pathways are about more than education – they are about inclusion, equality and ensuring that every person, regardless of background or ability, has the chance to reach their full potential,” he added.

To date, 193 students have enrolled at 11 institutions around the country in these PATH 4 Phase 2 funded programmes, which range from Level 3 to Level 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications. A second class of Creative Pathways students will start in the next academic year at IADT with the recent announcement of the continuation of the programme.