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Inclusive Businesses

Inclusive Businesses: co-created with and for People with communication Difficulties

SL5113

Duration

12 weeks

Next start date

September 2025

NFQ

Level 9

ECTS

5 Credits

Mode of Study

Online

Apply By

Aug 22, 2025, 5PM

Fee

€750

Overview

Make Your Business Truly Inclusive — Train Your Team in Communication Accessibility

Did you know that one million people in Ireland experience communication difficulties — and that 1 in 5 tourists may also face these challenges? For many, these difficulties are invisible. Without proper training, staff may miss the signs, leaving customers feeling frustrated or excluded.

If your business is customer-facing — whether it’s a café, hotel, shop, or restaurant — communication accessibility is not just good practice, it’s essential. This micro-credential course is designed specifically for business owners and managers in hospitality and retail who want to equip their teams with the tools to serve every customer with confidence and respect.

Led by Dr. Clare Carroll, speech and language therapist and lecturer at the University of Galway, this 12-week online course will give your staff:

The knowledge to recognise communication difficulties
Practical strategies to support inclusive communication
The skills to assess and improve your business’s communication accessibility

You’ll also gain insights into how communication inclusion supports the World Health Organisation’s Sustainable Development Goal 11: building inclusive, welcoming communities for all. In today’s business landscape, aligning with sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good for your brand.

The course includes:

Six live online classes
Weekly flexible offline activities
Guidance to develop a tailored Communication Accessibility Action Plan for your business

Create an environment where all customers feel welcome — and where your team is confident and prepared. Join this course and take the next step toward making your business inclusive for everyone.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be over 21 years of age. A Level 8 undergraduate qualification is required. Applications can be considered using Recognition of Prior Learning.

What you will Learn

Evaluate the concept, nature and purpose of communication accessibility.
Understand different speech, language and communication difficulties.
Understand the impact of speech, language and communication difficulties on people’s lives.
Apply the knowledge and skills learned to develop a plan for communication accessibility in their context/business.

Course Outcomes
On successful completion of this micro-credential, you will receive credits as per the European Credit and Transfer System. These credits are recognised by the awarding institution as credits aligned to learning completed at postgraduate level 9.