New WALK-instown project aims to help disabled youth

AN AMBITIOUS new project that aims to get young people with disabilities closer to the labour market was launched in Walkinstown last week.

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, were on the Southside where they offi-cially launched the WALK REAL Ability Project for WALK, the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability.

The WALK REAL Ability Project – Reaching Employment Ambitions in Life – is one of 27 projects funded under the ‘Ability Programme’ that focuses on bringing young people (aged 15 to 29 years) with disabilities closer to the labour market. It supports those young people who can and want to work to develop their vocational and employability skills to get a job. 

Through the WALK REAL Ability Project, 75 young people with intellectual disabilities and autism will get valuable work experience and training through the Supported Employment model.

This is delivered by professional job coaches who will help participants develop their own vocational profiles and personal progression plans before taking up a series of appropriate work experience placements of their choosing.

It is envisaged that engagement with local employers will help participants find work and avail of other opportunities.

It also supports employers in building their capacity to become more proactive in employing people with disabilities. 

Speaking at the launch, Minister Doherty said: “I am delighted to support this project which promotes the employability of young people with intellectual disabilities, autism and complex needs. A project like this supports young adults who are not in employment, education or training and helps them to progress to wards employment in the open labour market by delivering fantastic real world-of-work vocational training and work experiences. 

“I understand that, over the course of the project, up to 75 young adults will be supported through person-centred engagement to build the skills and confidence they need to become career ready.

“For these 75 young people WALK will tap into their potential and give them the confidence and experience to realise their ambitions.”

Last year both ministers secured funding of €16 million for 27 similar projects.