Projects

APT has a long history of carrying out research into disadvantage experienced by people with disabilities and others and of undertaking actions based on the findings. As a result APT develops projects in its own right or in cooperation with other voluntary or statutory bodies. In some instances, APT has agreed to assist other organisations/projects by providing grant aid.

Housing Project

One of APT’s earliest programmes was the initiation of a comprehensive housing scheme in association with the then Midland Health Board (now HSE) and accommodated approximately 80 individuals with mental health difficulties or intellectual disabilities in the community at nine different locations throughout the Midlands and Mid-West regions. This programme was realised through the work of APT, the Midland Health Board and the Department of Environment.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

In 2004 APT was commissioned by the HSE to undertake and direct a pilot project aimed at the development of community support services for persons with an acquired brain injury (ABI) in the four midland counties-Laois/Offaly/Longford and Westmeath. An ABI can be caused by traumatic events such as a fall or road traffic accidents but can also result from brain haemorrhages, strokes, tumors, anoxia and infections that cause brain injury/damage.

Development of awareness of ABI, arranging education and training for service users, families and service providers and supporting new developments in the ABI field were important elements of the project. The setting up of this pilot project was recognised nationally as an innovative approach in the development of services for persons with ABI and their families. This piot has now been successfully completed and the HSE has appointed the Peter Bradley Foundation, a specialised organisation that assists individuals with ABI and their families, to provide a range of services for adults with an ABI in the Midlands.

3rd Level Education Project

APT commissioned in 2006 a research project into 3rd level education provision for people with intellectual disabilities. It is hoped in the future that this will influence the development of appropriate educational opportunities for this target group.

Mid Offaly Forum on Educational Disadvantage

The Mid Offaly Forum on Educational Disadvantage, through collective action, aims to ensure that individuals experiencing educational disadvantage are empowered to reach their full potential.

The Forum’s objectives are:

• To raise awareness of issues relating to educational disadvantage
• To ensure available information is accessible and user friendly
• To research, identify and promote good practice

APT participates in the Forum and agreed to fund in May ’09 a conference to provide information about the issue of retention and early-school leaving and to present practical approaches and methods for addressing this issue.

Website: www.fed.ie

Microboard Association of Ireland Ltd

A Microboard is a small group of committed family and friends who work with and around a focus person to create a small non-profit association to address the individual's needs in an empowering and customised fashion. MAI, the Microboard Association of Ireland was established by APT in 2006 as a support structure to help people with a physical and sensory, intellectual and/or mental health disability and their communities to develop Microboards.

The first documented Microboard was established in Canada in 1984 around a young man leaving an institutional setting. Microboards were set up in an effort to move from agency-type governance structures to supports directly governed by the individual person being supported, and their family and friends. The Microboard enables the individual to avoid relatively inflexible service structures and avail of supports that can adapt rapidly to changes in a person’s needs, interests, relationships and environments.

For more information please contact:

Siobhan Hayden

Phone: 086 0403608

Website: www.microboards.ie

Email: info@microboards.ie

Midland Employment Support Agency (MESA)

MESA was established by APT in association with the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), National Learning Network (NLN) and the Muiriosa Foundation (formerly SCJMS) to secure employment for persons with disabilities. It promotes the ability of people with disabilities among employers.

MESA provides the following services:

• Assistance with the recruitment needs of employers.
• A pool of potential employees with varying levels of skills, abilities and training.
• A professional job matching service to help ensure a successful placement.
• Ongoing support for both the employer and the employee before and after the placement.
• Training to perform the job and in other work related skills and social skills.

MESA was incorporated in 2004 and continues to be funded by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment through FAS.

For more information contact MESA

Phone: 057-9323901

Email: mesa4@tullamore.com

Website: http://www.mesa4.com