22/11/19 The Future is bright for Young People with Disabilities in Donegal

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Pictured with the Donegal Directory of Disability Services are John Wallace, Anne Timony Meehan, Co-ordiantor of Donegal CYPSC, Gerry Hone, Chair of Donegal CYPSC and Jack Campbell. 

Letterkenny Institute of Technology was a bee hive of activity on Saturday last (16 November) for the Donegal Careers Training and Lifestyle Fair where hundreds of young people with disabilities and their families came along to explore different options to achieve their career dreams and ambitions. 

To help them on their way 45 different service providers shared their expertise, information and guidance, through information stands and presentations on the supports their organisations provide in areas such as education and training, recreational activities and lifestyle, careers options, funding supports, independent living supports and more. 

The voice of young people took centre stage at the event with a number of short video screenings that captured what real life experience of young people with disabilities and what it means to them to be included in social events and community activities and to be treated just like everyone else.

Karen Sheehy, Donegal Library Service and Loretta Mc Nicholas, Donegal County Council at one of the many stands on display at the Donegal Careers Training and Lifestyle Fair in the LYIT last Saturday (16 Nov).

John Wallace and Jack Campbell described their experience of being part of the workforce in a local business, Kelly’s Diner & Mountain Top Centra, how having a job can be life changing by increasing  confidence, self esteem and  allowing them to play their part in the everyday life of their local community.  How being given a chance by an employer had opened up so many options for them and allowed them to progress in life, just like their peers.

All participants at this event received a copy of the ‘Donegal Directory of Disability Services’.   There were loads of goodie bags, a Saturday Club, curtsey of the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation, while the Donegal Youth Council provided some fun through their pop up career photo booth.

This event was organised by the Disability Inclusion Working Group of the Donegal Children and Youth People’s Services Committee (CYPSC), which is a partnership of 50 organisations working to deliver better outcomes for children and young people of Donegal.