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New arts programme for people with intellectual disabilities to be launched

Organisers will offer classes in drama, dance and art for those with intellectual disabilities – saying that such activities help people to develop ‘better and faster’.

NEW CLUBS FOR people with intellectual disabilities are being launched in Dublin and Wicklow in the new year, offering classes in drama, dance and art.

Two HeadstARTS programmes will start in January and continue weekly on accordance with the academic year, organisers say.

Initially, two clubs – one serving Dublin North, based in Dublin 9, and one serving County Wicklow, based in Wicklow Town – will be set up. In May 2013, the two clubs will come to together to compete in the three arts based areas.

Organiser Liam Redmond, a final year student in DCU, has been working with people with intellectual disabilities for the past six years through Special Olympics Ireland. However, noting that sports do not appeal to everyone, he set up an organisation which caters to the arts.

There are over 25,500 people registered as having intellectual disabilities in Ireland today, according to the National Intellectual Disability Database. Organisers at HeadstARTS say that people develop better and faster when they engage in activities which genuinely interest them, which is why they are offering a wider range of activities for people with intellectual disabilities to engage with.

The clubs will start on the week of 7 January 2013, providing classes in drama, art and dance, and will run on a weekly basis in accordance with the academic calendar.

An information meeting for the North Dublin based club on Wednesday, 5 December 2012, at 7.30pm at the Henry Grattan Building, DCU, and is open to any person interested in participating or volunteering with HeadstARTS.

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    Mute 1 Human Being
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    Nov 29th 2012, 7:23 AM

    Good work Liam. Fair play to you.

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    Mute mcbab
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    Nov 29th 2012, 8:27 AM

    Heard about Liam before. What a fantastic young man. All the best of luck to him.

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    Mute Karl Harty
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    Nov 29th 2012, 8:43 AM

    ok this is great. fair play to liam BUT why isnt there more being done to help people with an ID to integrate into the community and get involved in art, drama and dance classes that are not aimed at people with ID? Is if fair to segregate anymore in this day and age?

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    Mute annie
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    Nov 29th 2012, 12:55 PM

    It depends on the level of ability required in the class, I agree segregation is a negative concept but if classes specific to those with intellectual disabilities can cater specifically to their needs and build confidence, that may allow them to move on to a general class.

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    Mute Reginald St Worthing
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    Nov 29th 2012, 9:47 AM

    Great idea. Well done, Liam.

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    Mute Caz Bacon
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    Nov 29th 2012, 10:55 AM

    Brilliant!!

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    Mute Niamh Ní Dhonnchú
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    Nov 29th 2012, 2:54 PM

    A fantastic idea. However, given the large number of people with intellectual disabilities because its based in Dublin and Wicklow it will only target a minority. What about everyone living in the rest of Ireland?

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    Mute Liam Redmond
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    Nov 29th 2012, 3:04 PM

    Hi Niamh, I agree totally. The Dublin and Wicklow clubs, however, are being ran as a pilot scheme. We hope to introduce the club with a more national presence in September 2013.

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