Ireland 2025
Travel dates: June 14th-June 28th
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to international perspectives on disability. This course will discuss conceptualization of disability across diverse cultures, laws and social policies that affect the lives of people with disability, and systems of support for people with disabilities across the globe. There will be a focus on human rights for people with disabilities, as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This 4-credit course will involve:
- Summer readings and activities to be completed prior to travel
- Two weeks in Ireland (Dublin and Galway)
- Reflections to be submitted after travel
Leaders
- Ashley Woodman, Ph.D., director of the Developmental Disabilities and Human Services program
- Elodie Carel, graduate student in Clinical Psychology
Itinerary
We will arrive in Dublin on June 14th. We will have site visits daily Monday through Friday at various non-profit organizations and universities in the Dublin area. On June 22nd, we will travel to Galway. We will have site visits in the Galway area Monday through Thursday. We will travel back to the Dublin airport on June 28th.
Site Visits
The list of sites below is subject to change, but it should give you a sense of the types of site visits we will complete during our trip.
- Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Trinity College
- Centre for Disability Studies, University College Dublin
- Inclusion Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability, Trinity College
- Ability West
- Galway Autism Partnership
- Galway University Centre for Disability Law and Policy
- Sport Ireland
Leisure
There will be plenty of free time for you to take in the sights, but we will also arrange for group visits (included in the course fees) to several key attractions, such as:
- Guided walking tour of Dublin
- Dublin Castle
- Guided walking tour of Trinity College
- Book of Kells
- Guiness Storehouse
- Cliffs of Moher
- Galway City Museum
Accommodations
7 night stay at Staycity Aparthotel Dublin City Center, and 6 nights in Galway at the Menlo Park apartment complex. Breakfast is included each day of the trip, with 1 dinner included per location (2 total).
Cost
The trip’s pricing is still being configured. Included in the trip cost is transportation (to and from the airport, to and from site visits, public transportation passes, etc.), housing, some meals, and entry fees to experiences.
To learn more about housing, meals, etc., visit the IPO website.
Applications
This program is open to all majors and all years, while sophomore standing or higher is preferred. Seniors are eligible to participate as well. This course can count towards a psychology upper level elective and a Developmental Disability and Human Services course requirement. Please click here to apply.
Additional Information
Have questions? Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Ashley Woodman (awoodman@umass.edu), or the IPO office.
