News and events
National Access Office responds to Dublin Docklands Education Programme (DDEP) evaluation
Pictured at the Dublin Docklands Social Regeneration Conference are Ms. Cynthia Deane, co-author of the DDEP evaluation report, and Peter Brown, Acting Head, HEA National Access Office.
Dublin Docklands Education Programme (DDEP) evaluation
The National Access Office participated in the 7th Annual Social Regeneration Conference of Dublin Docklands, which took place on Jan 22-23 2009 in Killarney, Co. Kerry. Education was a key theme of the conference this year. Acting Head of the National Access Office, Peter Brown, provided a response to conference on the recent evaluation of the DDEP by Professor Aine Hyland and Cynthia Deane. Among the key messages of Mr. Brown’s presentation were as follows:
• HEA National Access Office welcomes the evaluation of DDEP
• Culture of evaluation vital to evidence-based policy-making and effective utilisation of resources
• Outcomes of evaluation support key messages of national evaluation of access programmes and national plan for equity of access 2008-13
• Impressive array of activities across 8 key themes
• Programme has contributed to positive change in a range of areas
• Various activities are underpinned by established principles, derived from our understanding of disadvantage and educational under-achievement
Mr. Brown noted that work with primary and second level system is a central part of access initiatives of higher education institutions. Looking to the future, he highlighted the importance of the following roles for local development agencies:
• The need to support educators and other professionals as part of inter-disciplinary response
• The need to advocate for holistic and effective family support to address key difficulties in disadvantaged areas
• The need to drive better coordination between existing agencies – partnership approach
• The need to consult regularly with local people (incl. school-goers)
• The need to systematically gather data
The DDEP evaluation is available from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, 52-55 Sir John Rogerson's Quay,
Docklands,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.
Phone: + 353 - 1 - 818 3300
Fax: + 353 - 1 - 818 3399
Email: info@dublindocklands.ie
Head of National Access Office officially opens new Assistive Technology Centre in Univeristy College Cork
Mr Peter Brown, Head of the National Access Office for Equity of Access to Higher
Education opened the new Assistive Technology (AT) Centre in the Boole library, University College Cork on 12 December 2008.
In officially opening the centre, Mr Brown congratulated UCC on the establishment of the AT centre and
the continued commitment of the university in supporting the rights of people with disabilities to access
and successfully participate in higher education.
In his address Mr Brown stated 'the Fund for Students with Disabilities and HEA core access funding will continue to be key resources supporting further increases in participation by students with disabilities. However, initiatives led by higher education institutions, such as the centre being opened here today, are equally important if we are to build on and maximise the use of those resources'.
The Assistive Technology Centre will provide opportunities to students with disabilities to enhance their learning experience within an integrated environment. The centre will also used by the wider educational community. Mr Brown stated that the centre 'will undoubtedly act as a model of good practice for the higher education sector nationally. It is my hope that, in time, every region will have a dedicated centre such as this. This facility is a piece of a bigger national picture, underpinned by a vision of a free and fair society where citizens with diverse backgrounds can participate fully in our social and economic life'.
See full speech here
HEA publishes new national plan for equity of access to higher education