Sinead Drummond, Cedar and Suzanne Rice, Corporate Policy and Equality Officer, NMDDC, have used lockdown as an opportunity to facilitate the remote delivery of Disability Awareness Training to local Council staff giving them an understanding of

• What is a Disability?
• What you can do to support people with disabilities.
• What Employers can and need to do to support people with disabilities.

This training programme is a key positive action of the Council’s Disability Action Plan and will help them get a greater understanding of what that needs to look like after the Disability Awareness training. 

In all, 71 staff took part in the training and contributed to the Cedar impact report which demonstrates positive results from Disability Awareness sessions.  88% of attendees felt that the training raised their awareness of the needs of disabled people and that they were now more aware of the relevant legislation.  88% of attendees also indicated that they know where to get further support and guidance if required.

Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Cathy Mason said:

"The partnership between the Cedar Foundation and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been invaluable. The online training provided to Council employees gave an important insight detailing what we can to do to support people with disabilities. I would like to thank the representatives from Cedar who have been working with Council officials over a number of months to produce this excellent training module and I welcome future initiatives between Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the Cedar Foundation."

The next step in the Action Plan is to provide NMDDC staff with the opportunity to attend online Brain Injury Awareness training, which has been produced in partnership with the Council.

Sinead Drummond, Service Manager said:

 “The link with the Corporate Policy section within Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been invaluable in developing awareness of issues surrounding disability & Brain Injury & will see many opportunities being developed for people living in the Council area.  The Council were supportive and enthusiastic, as can be seen in the high response level to training evaluations.  I look forward to further developing the partnership between Cedar and NMDDC.”

Want to learn more about disability awareness training?

Disability awareness training is facilitated by staff from Cedar’s Inclusion Works programme. Inclusion Works project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020 and the Department for the Economy. Funding is also provided by the Department for Communities and all five local HSCTs in Northern Ireland.

For more info on our Disability Awareness Training contact [email protected] or visit  https://www.cedar-foundation.org/disability-awareness-training-cedar

If you would like to find out more about Disability Awareness training or would like to arrange a session, please call 028 90612424. You can also connect with Cedar through Facebook and Twitter.

What is Cedar?

Cedar delivers a range of services that enable people with disabilities to get the most out of life and to be fully included in their communities. Services are centred around the individual needs of each person and are delivered throughout Northern Ireland. Our Vision is an inclusive society for all and we work to support individuals and families living with disability, autism and brain injury to live the lives they choose. Through the delivery of disability awareness training we raise awareness and promote meaningful advice on how to make our goals a reality. This training is available throughout the year.