National Learning Network provides training and specialist support to people who, for a variety of reasons, may find it difficult to gain employment.
A physical and/or a sensory impairment can significantly impact on an individual’s daily living, from requiring additional personal support to access issues.
Physical disabilities result from conditions that affect the physical body. People may have lived with a physical condition all of their lives, for example spina bifida or cerebral palsy, or the disability may have developed in adulthood, for example because of a neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease. Physical disabilities may also occur as a result of a traumatic event such as a spinal injury, an amputation or a brain injury resulting from an accident or a stroke.
Sensory impairment refers to visual impairments and hearing impairments. People may have been living with sensory impairments all their life, or may have developed sight or hearing loss in their later years as a result of a medical condition or a traumatic event. The term Sensory Impairment represents Blind people and people with a Visual Impairment, Deaf people and people with a Hearing Impairment or People with severe sight and hearing loss combined (dual sensory loss/deafblind).
National Learning Network helps people with a range of physical and sensory conditions, including:
- Profound Visual impairment
- Partial Visual Impairment
- Retinal Disorders (such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, cataract, other retinal disorders)
- Profound Hearing Impairment
- Partial Hearing Impairment
- Sensory processing, Tactile dysfunction, Hypo/Hyper sensitivities
How NLN Helps People With Physical and Sensory Conditions
NLN offers a range of specialist services for people with physical and sensory conditions in fully accessible settings.
One example of these services is our Ar Aghaidh Linn training course in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Described as a social exploration course designed for adults who have had a setback in their lives as a result of physical/sensory disability, the Ar Aghaidh Linn training course gives participants the chance to explore different education, training and community opportunities open to them.
The Ar Aghaidh Linn training course has a duration of 24 months and is designed for individuals who have a physical and/or sensory disability possibly as a result of an accident, illness or injury. It affords the individual the time to explore education, training, community and work opportunities through building their capacity for making independent and informed choices and exploring support networks and opportunities within their local community.
Individuals are supported in exploring appropriate community, training, educational, care and employment opportunities in accordance with their individual goals and needs by a multidisciplinary team comprising of Instructors (life skills, vocational, learning support, IT), Personal Assistants, Resource Teacher, Psychologist and Rehabilitation Officer.
The course strives to promote independence, self-confidence and improve overall quality of life. Modules include Managing Emotions, Coping Skills, Healthy Lifestyles, Arts and Crafts, Vocational Exploration Skills & Aptitude Exploration, Career Investigation, Work Experience and Information Technology.
Get In Touch
We would be delighted to hear from you to discuss your individual needs and which course would best suit you.
- Find your local NLN centre here
- For general enquiries about NLN, please email info@nln.ie
- For all other queries call 01 205 7200.
