19th November 2007

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The University of Ulster and Triangle Housing Association have joined forces to launch an interactive CD-Rom staff training resource aimed at making social inclusion a reality for people with a learning disability.

The CD-Rom toolkit was developed by Professor Roy McConkey and Suzanne Collins, Research Associate from the School of Nursing, University of Ulster, in partnership with Triangle Housing Association and tenants with a learning disability from various trusts and organisations who participated in the research.

The project was  funded with a grant of £169,940 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Voluntary and Community Sector programme.

The research report highlighted the social exclusion of people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland and the extent of social isolation experienced by tenants in various forms of supported accommodation provided by a range of agencies throughout Northern Ireland. Many were found to have no friends outside of the place where they live and much of their time was spent within the home.

Professor Roy McConkey and Suzanne Collins from the University of Ulster said: “It’s as if there is a glass wall separating people with a disability from the rest of society. We believe this CD-Rom will help front-line support staff and organisations to review their work priorities and create more socially inclusive services for people with a learning disability."

Chris Alexander, CEO of Triangle Housing Association, explained how the CD-Rom resource was developed: “The research highlighted concerns that people with a learning disability were amongst the most marginalised in our society.  It therefore became a logical next step to produce a staff training resource to bring about positive change through the promotion of social inclusion. We are grateful for the funding provided by the Big Lottery Fund enabling Triangle to improve its services through our Social Inclusion Strategy and to share ‘best practice’ within the learning disability sector."

Breidge Gadd, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s Voluntary and Community Sector programme is having a major impact in communities across Northern Ireland. Triangle Housing Association and the University of Ulster’s project is giving people of all abilities the opportunity to participate in educational and social activities. National Lottery players can take pride in the fact that they are helping to bring about such a positive change in communities across Northern Ireland.”

Morrow Communications produced the CD-Rom and initial launch copies. Triangle and the North Eastern Social Care Trust’s Social Enterprise firm called Alternative Angles, has been commissioned to produce distribution copies which are available from Triangle Housing Association, 60 Eastermeade Gardens, Ballymoney, BT53 6BD.   Tel: 028 2766 6880.  

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young