Our Mission: We are leaders in a movement for change, empowering people with disabilities to live self-determined lives in an equal and inclusive society.
Employment:
At WALK we believe that everyone who wants to work, have a job and a career can do so, given the right supports. Our role is to facilitate individuals to fulfil their employment and career aspirations by supporting them to realise their potential, access opportunities and build their own natural supports.
WALK have developed and piloted different innovative supported employment programmes aimed at increasing the rate of employment for people with intellectual disabilities.
Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. States Parties shall safeguard and promote the realisation of the right to work, including for those who acquire a disability during the course of employment, by taking appropriate steps, including through legislation.
Real Life Training:
ALK – Real Life Training Documentary-HD from Walk on Vimeo.
WALK’s Real Life Training programme supports school leavers with intellectual disabilities to build their capacities and to develop their skills and passions so that they will be equipped to live self-determined lives in the community of their choice.
The Real Life Training programme runs for 4 years and is an innovative departure from the way traditional training programmes have, up until now, been offered to this too often marginalised demographic. The Real Life Training programme aims to ensure that participants explore possibilities and meet objectives in relation to paid employment in the mainstream labour market, access training/education in mainstream settings as well as developing the personal-self.
The aim of the Real Life Training Programme is to focus support on key transition points for individuals by delivering targeted interventions. The programme will engage existing service structures, natural circles of support, increasing joint working and build sustainable relationships to allow progression towards economic activity and/or further education. It will also utilise local community networks (employers, peers, families) to broaden community participation and develop a sense of civic responsibility. Throughout the 4 year course and beyond, all supports put in place will support individuals to access mainstream services, this is in keeping with New Directions’ vision of ambitious change for services for adults with intellectual disabilities “that will depend on and benefit from an acceleration of the policy of mainstreaming that is a core part of the National Disability Strategy”.
To read some stories from participants of the Real Life Training Programme click here
Community Living:
Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one ; stronger that a magician ever spoke or spirit ever answered to in any conjuration.” Charles Dicken.
Whether home for you is living with family, living alone, living with friends, renting a home, purchasing your own or living in and contributing to your chosen community WALK is present with people in the journey and creation of a rich and full life with home at the core.
Our role is to design supports that are based on the needs of each individual. So whether needs are complex or otherwise the starting point is with you. Everyone’s journey is different but the commitment from WALK is based on the same principles of choice, rights and opportunity.
All people are connected in their quest to find that place of comfort, security, happiness and magic that is home.
Contact us:
Phone: +353 (0)1 465 03 88
Fax: +353 (0)1 460 78 99
Email: info@walk.ie
