Minister for Disability Launches Impact Report on Groundbreaking Creative TY Connections Programme
Connections Arts Centre (CAC) today, Wednesday, 5th of March 2025, officially launched its Creative TY Connections (CTYC) Impact Report, showcasing the transformative effects of its innovative community education programme for adults with disabilities. Minister for Disability Hildegarde Naughton officially unveiled the report at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), Dublin 2, with broadcaster and former Irish rugby player Bernard Jackman serving as MC.
"The Creative TY Connections programme demonstrates the power of how inclusive community education fosters empowerment and social integration,” said Minister Hildegarde Naughton. “The government is committed to supporting initiatives that improve lifelong learning and community engagement for people with disabilities, and I welcome CAC’s leadership in this space."
CTYC is an innovative community education programme designed to empower individuals with disabilities by bridging a gap in community education. The programme provides creative learning opportunities and skill development, ensuring an inclusive and collaborative learning environment that leads to increased community participation, further education, and employment opportunities.
Transition Year (TY) students participate as volunteers, supporting the one-to-one learning needs of individuals with disabilities. This buddy system facilitates engagement and connections and enhances accessibility within the programme.
CTYC Integrates financial, digital, interpersonal, and social skills training, using creativity as a core approach. Online learning components further improve accessibility. Each programme comprises four modules, with 10 participants and 10 TY students per module. Modules include Money Management, Everyday IT, Upskilling for Employment, and Sustainable Steps.
"At its core, the Creative TY Connections programme is about more than education—it’s about connection and inclusion," said Miriam Spollen, Founder and CEO of Connections Arts Centre. “CTYC is a real-world example of the New Directions Policy in action. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by promoting inclusive education and community participation.”
Since launching as a pilot in 2022, with two programmes in its first year, CTYC has expanded to include TY student volunteers from four schools. To date, 14 programmes have been delivered to 308 participants, including adults with disabilities and TY students. Through this initiative, 924 individuals – including families, carers, and educators – have been positively impacted. The programme has successfully:
Increased confidence and communication skills among participants
Improved mental well-being through creative engagement
Provided TY students with hands-on experience in inclusion and disability awareness
Participants have described the programme as life-changing. Norma Dowler, a participant from Lucan, shared: “I was very nervous at the start, but after the first week, my confidence grew, I felt like I belonged. I had so much fun. I’m so glad I took part and was brave!"
Isha Nair, a TY student who participated in CTYC, stated: “Working with Kieran, my learning buddy, has been eye-opening. It changed my perspective on disability and taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and inclusion. I also really enjoyed working with Kieran as my buddy.”
Despite its success, CTYC currently operates without structured state support. To scale this impact nationwide, CAC is calling for a government-led dialogue between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Health, and the Department of Education and Youth to explore ways to embed community education for adults with disabilities into national policy.
"Every individual, regardless of ability, deserves access to community education," said Spollen. "With government support, we can expand CTYC to more communities across Ireland, ensuring lifelong learning and inclusion for people with disabilities—and making it a cornerstone of Ireland’s commitment to inclusion."
By 2030, CAC aims to:
Scale CTYC to reach 590 adults with disabilities and 708 TY students, indirectly impacting nearly 4,000 people
Develop additional programme modules to enhance lifelong learning for adults with disabilities
Expand to new geographic locations across Ireland to ensure wider accessibility
CTYC aligns with Ireland’s New Directions Policy, which supports lifelong learning and community participation for individuals with disabilities. By facilitating cross-departmental collaboration, CTYC directly supports national objectives in education, health, and disability inclusion.
CAC invites policymakers, educators, and disability advocates to engage in discussions on how to scale this proven model so that more individuals with disabilities can access meaningful education and community participation.
Watch a video introducing the programme and Impact Report here:
About Connections Arts Centre:
About Connections Arts Centre Connections Arts Centre (CAC), founded by its CEO, Miriam Spollen, is a social enterprise championing art, heritage, and cultural activities for the disability community in Ireland. Built on the pillars of Creativity, Community, and Change, CAC actively challenges stereotypes and promotes inclusivity for artists with disabilities. Based in Rathgar, Dublin, CAC is dedicated to creating a positive social impact by championing arts, lifestyle, and educational programmes that bridge educational gaps, counteract devaluation, and promote inclusivity for people with disabilities.
How the CTYC Impact Report Was Compiled:
The Creative TY Connections (CTYC) Impact Report was authored by Eamon Ryan, former CEO Social Impact Ireland, and provides a comprehensive analysis of the programme’s impact, challenges, and future direction. The report was compiled over six months and is based on extensive qualitative and quantitative research, including:
40 participants from four disability service organisations and their support staff
50 Transition Year students and two TY Coordinators
Six team members from Connections Arts Centre (CAC)
In-depth surveys, participant testimonials, and case studies
To ensure accessibility, the report follows current accessibility guidelines for font, language, and visuals. An Easy-Read version is also available.
View the executive report here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M_A93dAcgUzdT9wjl5f-NQ20yX5F-0FA/view?usp=drive_link
To date, four Dublin schools - St. Paul’s Secondary School (Greenhills), Templeogue College (Templeogue), Loreto High School Beaufort (Rathfarnham), and The King’s Hospital School (Palmerstown) - have participated in the CTYC Programme, with their Transition Year students volunteering as part of this community education initiative.
Pictured (L-R) are Kieran Mulligan CTYC participant, his buddy, Isha Nair TY student from St Paul's Secondary School, Greenhills, Minister for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton and Miriam Spollen, Founder and CEO, Connections Arts Centre.
