BridgeAbility Team from Portlaoise College shine a light on Celebrating Individuality

We were delighted to welcome the BridgeAbility Team from Portlaoise College to Abbey Quarter on Tuesday the 30th of January. The team presented their project on the challenges that autistic and other neurodiverse people have with employment, in particular for TY students gaining work experience. They described how the team are working with companies to increase awareness, highlighting the strengths that can be brought to the workplace and accommodations that can be put in place to ensure a comfortable, engaging workplace not just for neurodiverse people but for all. It was a privilege to hear their ideas on how we can make Tirlán a more inclusive workplace.

Their teacher, Sarah Rowan, mentioned how much they “really appreciated the time and effort Tirlán put into creating such an unforgettable experience for the students. It was so reassuring for them to see that their opinions count, that they have a voice and can promote change, even in the corporate world. They were so encouraged by the fact that the landscape is changing and Tirlán clearly embraces neurodiversity. This was clear from all the spaces in your building that have been created to meet the needs of all individuals.”

Well done to Rhona Howley on organising the visit. A special group that showed us how our differences make us stronger. #CelebrateIndividuality