Valuable Transition Project for Young Deaf Adults Launches at Donaldson's

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 18th of July 2011

Donaldson's School in Linlithgow is running life-changing courses for young deaf adults from all over Scotland, so they can move on from school into the hearing world. The Transition Project, for young people between 16 and 24 who are deaf or have communication difficulties helps them to access essential services and be more confident in communication, enabling them to live full lives.

Donaldson's, which is Scotland's national school for children who are deaf or have communication difficulties, has to date helped over 90 young Scottish adults to learn essential life skills such as personal safety, how to build a career and understanding personal rights. The success of the Transition Project has enabled the school to run another session in 2011-2012. Demand is high, but places remain for those who need them.

Speaking about the project, principal, Janice MacNeill comments: 'Without this education many young people may become excluded from society. With everything from personal health and wellbeing to dealing with interviews and employment, any young person eligible for the Transition Project should get in touch and see how dramatically life-changing it can be.'

The projects take place on various dates between now and March 2012 and young people can apply at any time. The first project in July 2011 is a Healthy Body and Healthy Mind Boot Camp delivering personal fitness training and healthy eating guidance, this will also be repeated later in the year. Other projects will also include: preparation for the driving theory test; creating a DVD on building CVs and attending interviews; creating a DVD on deaf awareness for employers; and Transition Support which offers young people guidance on moving into work or further education. All projects within the Transition Project are free to attend and are a combination of day courses and some residential.

Any young person who is between 16 - 24 and is deaf or has communication difficulties and wishes to find out more about the Project should contact Billy Docherty, Transition Project Coordinator by email at wdocherty@donaldsons.org.uk or on 01506 841900 (voice) or 01506 841902 (text). Further information is also available at www.donaldsons.org.uk/about-our-school/transition-project where you can also download a project application form.