CCT College Dublin receives the AsIAm Autism Friendly HEI Award
AsIAm are happy to recognise CCT College Dublin as an Autism Friendly HEI, an achievement marked by a launch held on campus on Tuesday 1st October.
Adam and the AsIAm team were welcomed to CCT College Dublin by the President of CCT College Dublin Neil Gallagher, Anne Hannan, Kathleen Embleton, Denis Cummins, Karl Gallagher, Jason Pollard, Ger O’Callaghan, Marie McTigue, Jay Gilbert, and Eoin Salley
Speaking at the official launch, Adam Harris, CEO and Founder of the national autism charity AsIAm said the designation of CCT College Dublin as an Autism Friendly HEI was a significant occasion for autistic students who face challenges others do not experience:
“We are so delighted to recognise CCT College Dublin as a recipient of our Autism-Friendly HEI Award. This Award recognises the commitment of CCT College Dublin to implementing a whole of campus approach to autism accessibility through our principle framework. Today marks the end of the beginning. The team in CCT College Dublin have created an ambitious 3-year plan to ensure that autistic students have the same chance to attend the higher education, excel there and access employment upon completing their studies. The very purpose of the three-year plan, is that the college will raise the bar every three years, in terms of what is possible and what can be achieved. AsIAm are looking forward to supporting CCT College Dublin on this journey’.
President of CCT College Dublin, Neil Gallagher stated that 'CCT College Dublin is delighted and honoured to receive the AsIAm accreditation status of 'Autism Friendly HEI'. Since the establishment of the College we have continuously invested as much as we can for all our students, to provide a learning environment which includes everyone regardless of thinking and processing style, circumstance, background, or stage in life. CCT has been on a learning journey with AsIAm over the last three years to help enhance how the College in all it's functions can become more universally accessible. This journey is never-ending and we are currently working through a three-year Action Plan with AsIAm to build and implement an institution-wide approach to Autism understanding and accessibility through the AsIAm 9 Principle Framework. Our aim is to continuously work towards creating a college environment where neurodivergent students are accepted, understood, and celebrated. We believe that all further and higher education providers need to do what they can to improve their learning environments to enable greater accessibility, accommodation, inclusion, diversity and provide the same chance for autistic students. It is on us all as a society to do more to facilitate opportunities for our autistic community to access, engage with and excel in education and employment.’
CCT College Dublin have committed to the ongoing and consistent application of AsIAm’s Autism Friendly HEI Principles, which can be accessed here.
If you would like to find out more about how your Higher Education Institute can gain the AsIAm Autism Friendly HEI Award please contact katie@asiam.ie
