WALK’s REAL Ability Project, Dublin, which empowers people with disabilities to live self-determined lives in an equal and inclusive society, won an AONTAS STAR Award recently. The REAL Ability Project has kept service users connected and motivated during the COVID-19 restrictions by providing an accessible online space for them and staff to share information and resources. The STAR Awards are an awards initiative organised by the national adult learning organisation, AONTAS as part of its annual Adult Learners’ Festival. They recognise and celebrate the achievements of adult learning projects throughout Ireland.
WALK’s REAL Ability Project, won the European Social Fund Special Recognition Award sponsored by the European Social Fund (ESF). Nicola Finnegan, ESF Managing Authority, congratulated WALK on their success. She said: “We are delighted to sponsor the ESF Special Recognition Award. It has been awarded to a really commendable project that supports and empowers people living with a disability. The Ability Project provided vital connection to participants during the COVID-19 pandemic and deserves to be recognised for the wonderful work they do.” Since its inception in 2007 thousands of adult learning initiatives across a wide variety of areas – including increasing educational access for all including those with a disability, supporting positive mental health and as part of addiction recovery – have been recognised through the STAR Awards.
Commenting on the project, Niamh O’Reilly, CEO of AONTAS, said: “I’m delighted to award WALK’s REAL Ability Project for the outstanding work they are doing. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic they are continuing to provide essential supports and services to those adult learners most in need.” “The work they do is benefitting the individual learner, their families and their local communities. The STAR Awards is an opportunity for them to be recognised for their positive impact on society.”
Colm O’Regan, author, broadcaster and comedian hosted a special online celebratory event on Thursday, 4th March to acknowledge the outstanding contribution that all of the shortlisted STAR Award projects have made to the adult and community education sector. The STAR Awards are proudly sponsored by the Open University in Ireland and the Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCNNI), the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), Concern Worldwide, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Sponsors will be offering special prizes to all 2021 STAR Award winners.
The organisation’s Adult Learners’ Festival took place from the 1st-5th March 2021, with a range of online events and activities happening nationwide. Further information is available at: www.aontas.com/community/adult-learners-festival/.
Pictured: Colm-O-Regan holding an AONTAS STAR Award 2021
