The National Disability Authority has conferred Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) with a Recognition of Excellence trophy in celebration of a decade-long collaboration with its founding Institutions, and the new University’s commitment to the application of Universal Design. NDA Chairperson, Helen Guinan and Dr Gerald Craddock, Chief Officer of the NDA’s Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) presented the award to TU Dublin President, Professor David FitzPatrick. The announcement was made at a celebratory function attended by the Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TU Dublin staff and students, and representatives from the NDA and Grangegorman Development Agency.
The NDA award commends the University’s commitment to several pillars of Universal Design, including the design of buildings that are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive such as the CONNECT Student Services Building on the Blanchardstown campus and the ongoing development of the Grangegorman Campus.
Many technical and design programmes in TU Dublin have embedded the principles of Universal Design in modules and project work, while students also regularly participate in the annual Universal Design Grand Challenge Student Awards. The NDA also acknowledged the co-hosting of two international conferences on Universal Design in Higher Education and the inclusive approach of TU Dublin and its founding organisations to teaching and learning, in line with Universal Design for Learning.
Caption: Technological University Dublin becomes the first Higher Education Institute in Ireland to receive a National Disability Authority Universal Design Recognition of Excellence Trophy. Pictured L-R NDA Director, Siobhan Barron, Chief Officer, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Dr Ger Craddock, Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, President of TU Dublin, Prof. David FitzPatrick and Chairperson, NDA, Helen Guinan. Pic Credit: Maxwell Photography
