A 29-strong panel of assessors has been set up to monitor standards at the nationwide network of training centres for people with disabilities. The idea behind the panel is to ensure that both the standard of training courses and good disability practice are maintained at the centres which currently provide training for about 3,000 people with disabilities each year.

The assessors were recently awarded certificates to mark the end of their training by Professor Joyce O'Connor, chairperson of the National Rehabilitation Board's accreditation committee. Speaking at the presentation she said "the certificate for centre assessment not only provides a significant milestone for vocational training programmes for people with disabilities, it also provides a model for mainstream training organisations".

The certificate is jointly accredited by FAS and the NCVA. Students in the first cohort came from a variety of backgrounds including disability practice, quality assurance, education and training.