Programme helps  gardaí in interactions with people with intellectual disabilities

Gardaí who took part in pilot programme reported improvements in their understanding of intellectual disabilities and the challenges faced by such people

Almost two-thirds of gardaí who responded said they now had an understanding of what an intellectual disability was and around a half said they had an understanding of the common difficulties faced by such people. File picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

A pilot awareness programme for gardaí to inform their interactions with people with intellectual disabilities has been welcomed by those working in the area.

Inclusion Ireland said the project – operated by a team of legal and psychiatric researchers – said the pilot was a “great step” and that future rollout of such training would make a big difference.