How We Began & What's Next!
Cali was born out of a passionate determination by a group of parents of children with severe to profound learning disabilities to create an environment where their adult children could flourish.
The vision was to create a programme where they would continue to have access to bespoke Learning, Care and the Multidisciplinary Therapies they need to thrive.
Empowering Lifelong Learning
The parents were encouraged by teachers at St Catherine's Special School in County Wicklow, Ireland, who had taught their children and knew their potential to continue to learn.
Access to appropriate formal learning programmes structured to their level, supports these young people to maintain and build on the skills they learned in school.
Innovative Education Programme
Parents knew that current legislation and policy directives support access to education for all so parents engaged with the Education and Training Board (ETB) and Health Service Executive (HSE) to create an innovative new programme for people with severe to profound ID that combined learning that would include both formal structured classroom modules as well as 'soft learning' reinforcement throughout the day supported by care and therapies.
This initiative was based on the experience that with these supports and inputs these young adults would continue to develop, gain greater independence and enhance their ability to express themselves and their desires so as to lead more meaningful lives.
The ETB and HSE agreed to support a 2 year pilot and informed by the learnings from that pilot, parents then established Cali Centres, CLG, a not for profit organisation.
Cali Opens
Cali officially opened its doors full time in April 2024 in County Wicklow with the first pod of 5 young adults.
The vision is to grow Cali Centres nationwide and that Cali will provide access to Life Long Learning.
Cali will develop its programmes and services to meet the changing needs of their young adults with severe to profound intellectual disabilities and will support them in developing their independence and ability to lead lives of greater meaning and fulfilment within their communities.. and further afield.
