Sligo course aims at needs of epilepsy sufferers

Word of the success of Sligo IT's epilepsy training course has spread and students are applying from all over Ireland for places. Olive Keogh reports

Training for Success is the name of a course originally designed to meet the needs of young people with epilepsy. The course was developed by Sligo IT in conjunction with the Irish Epilepsy Association as part of the EU Horizon initiative. Similar courses were run in other European countries, but the Irish course is the only one to have survived.

Participation in the programme is limited to 14 students who follow a year long full-time course which starts in August. The age profile of students is from 18 to 30 with the majority in their early 20s. Older students have also been accepted and so too have students with similar disabilities to epilepsy - for example, those who have suffered strokes or head injuries. The course is funded by FÁS so there are no fees and students are paid a FÁS training allowance. Finding accommodation is up to the individual, but the institute endeavours to help by providing a list of potential places to stay.

"Students on the programme are fully registered students of Sligo IT and can use all the facilities. It's a new campus with an excellent library and a good gym and it's a dynamic place to live and study," says the course manager, Honor Broderick.

"In our experience people suffering from epilepsy can lack self-

confidence and this is something we try to address. The course is very holistic in nature and combines academic subjects with work experience and personal development. Because student numbers are limited we can offer one-to-one interaction.

"Our aim is to produce confident students who are able to talk about their disability, who know what life and career choices are open to them and who have the skills to go after what they want. Some of our students go on to mainstream third-level courses, others go directly into employment and others do follow-on training courses with bodies such as FÁS." Application for the programme is directly to Sligo IT and candidates have to attend for an interview. There will be an open day for the course on Tuesday, May 7th, and all are welcome to attend. To receive an application form or more information about the course telephone (071) 55303 or e-mail broderick.honor@itsligo.ie