Disability History Month - ENABLE - Breaking Barriers
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00:00Since 1954, Enable has been fighting for the rights of everyone. In 2018, we launched one
00:13of the most exciting programmes, Breaking Barriers.
00:16I co-founded the Breaking Barriers programme with Professor David Hillier from Spathclyde
00:20Business School in 2018. The stats at the time showed that only 4% of young people with
00:25learning disabilities actually went to university. Since we started the programme, that number
00:30has now risen to 7% of young people with a learning disability in Scotland access university
00:35education. We're very proud of that.
00:37The course has made such a difference to my confidence. I just wanted to be able to do
00:42the same things and have the same opportunities as my brother and sister.
00:47It's really heartwarming to know that somebody can see what we see in Connor. We know he's
00:53capable of learning. He's thriving in an environment where people expect him to achieve.
00:59I'm also very excited about graduating and love getting my student card.
01:04We work on things like IT, customer service, and of course business, so all things that
01:08can be really applied to the work environment and the jobs that we're going to be going
01:12into, or indeed the further education.
01:14On our other programme, it's applied science skills from mathematics and statistics, chemistry,
01:19biology, and they're covering all things on the science programme. And they've actually,
01:23because of those skills, been able to start employment and start their first job in their
01:27career, which is absolutely fantastic.
01:29It just demystified the world of work and it shows that, I mean, the workplace, some
01:37people are embracing diversity these days, which is good to know.
01:44My son's participation in this programme has been a truly inclusive journey for us.
01:51It's really important for our Breaking Barriers students to be a part of our graduations.
01:57For these young people, their achievements have been fantastic. I feel very proud of
02:02them. In fact, I've met them all and listened to their story. It brought a tear to my eye,
02:06just the commitment, the passion, and the opportunities now that are open to them because
02:12of having completed the Breaking Barriers programme.
02:15We're very privileged that our corporate partners in this programme are 100% committed to reaching
02:20that purpose of an equal society.
02:23For an awful lot of people out there, they're nervous about how do they get into the work
02:27environment. They're nervous about whether they've got the right qualifications or the
02:31right capability of doing it. And we want, what we want to do is, you know, in effect
02:36is open our doors and give everybody that chance and everybody that opportunity.
02:41And I wouldn't just say it's the students that have learned through being in our place
02:46of work. I actually think our people have really gained tremendous value from supporting
02:51the students through the process as well.
02:54The level of enthusiasm that it generated within EY, it was over-subscribed in terms
03:00of people wanting to lend their support, which was truly amazing. And great to see the graduation,
03:05which was at the Usher Hall, which was absolutely brilliant. We can break barriers together.
03:10I know it seems like a lot when I say, oh, it's been life-changing, but it really honestly has.
03:15I tried to find work, but I had some struggles with it and things really didn't turn out
03:21well in the place I was working. I had a rough patch for a while and breaking barriers helped
03:27me get back on my feet.
03:28My father was Sir Samuel Curran. He ended up as the founding principal of the University
03:35of Stratclyde. Both my parents were really dedicated to giving people, and young people
03:42in particular, opportunities. To see that Enable has now created this, I think, world
03:50first Breaking Barriers project. Both my parents would be so delighted.
03:56This programme is not just about the young people of today, but it's about creating a
04:00much more equal society for generations to come. We are one of the founding members of
04:04Inclusion Europe, and we are hopeful that those 71 organisations across Europe will
04:10work with us on the Breaking Barriers programme. We see a clear pathway for internationalisation
04:15of Breaking Barriers, and actually for Breaking Barriers to be one of the great exports from
04:20Scotland in future generations.
04:23Congrats.
04:25Congrats.