“I loved it. Everything we did.” DCU Ability graduate Adam Lalor joins Specsavers
Adam attended the DCU Ability campus course in early 2020 , and completed his work experience placement at the DCU Interfaith Centre. He and his family have remained in touch with DCU Ability since he completed the course.
DCU Ability offers a range of practical and learner-centred interventions to enable young adults with a disability to move towards their work and education goals. The DCU Ability project has been running since early 2019. To date it has supported 117 course participants nationally, through both its campus and online courses.
The 16-week Works for Me campus course is aimed at young adults with intellectual disabilities. The course builds upon participants’ understanding of work and supports them to explore ideas for their own working future. It includes two training periods and a work experience placement with a DCU employer, as well as a Next Steps toolkit for participants to use with their families and support staff after the course has ended.
Speaking about his time in DCU and his new position, Adam Lalor said
“I liked working in Interfaith with Father Seamus and Breege. I liked meeting new people, helping people. I did work on the computer, making tea and coffee, setting up the room.
DCU was good, I loved it. Everything we did.”
Specsavers is good, I love it. I do cleaning, polishing and putting away. I price things as well.”
Marian Lalor, Adam’s mum, said
“DCU Ability has made such a difference for Adam. He was so confident on his first day at work and told us that he knew what to do, because he had done it before at DCU.
The Ability course has taught Adam the boundaries in work and how to behave there. I notice a huge difference in Adam, that’s thanks to the team on the Ability programme and also to Seamus and the team in Specsavers for giving him this great opportunity."
Seamus Breslin, Managing Director, Dawson St. Specsavers. said
“I am delighted with the start that Adam has made to his career in Dawson St. Specsavers.
He has taken to his new job with great enthusiasm and serious diligence.
Adam is very warm and mannerly, and respectful of his colleagues.
He has been a great addition to our team.”
Dr. Deirdre Corby, DCU Ability Project Lead said:
“The DCU Ability team are delighted to hear about Adam's fantastic progression from the course, and we congratulate him and his family.
People with intellectual disabilities can face challenges when trying to secure employment but Adam has overcome these and succeeded. Recently Minister Simon Harris has spoken of the need for universities to provide opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and we’re proud that the DCU Ability project has provided this for Adam and his peers.”
DCU Ability promotes the employability of young people (eighteen to twenty-nine) with disabilities to gain the skills, competencies and experiences needed to be career-ready, by creating meaningful and tailored pathways into education, training and work placements, using a person-centred approach.
They offer structured training programmes, work experience and reflective learning review as well as longer term support and career mentoring. They work in partnership with organisations such as St Michael’s House and other service providers to harness our joint expertise, resources and facilities to address barriers to employment.
Founded in 1983 by Doug and Mary Perkins, Specsavers provide optometry, audiology and other healthcare services to customers in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
They employ over 32,500 people, working across 1,978 stores, support offices and throughout the supply chain.