COPE Foundation caters for 1600 children and adults with intellectual disability through its systems of early intervention, schooling, training, adult day services , supported employment, housing, information and advice at 60 locations throughout Cork city and county and employs over 700 staff.

Over the years, a large range of services, facilities and expertise has been developed by COPE Foundation to provide the comprehensive services that are available today. National and International contacts have played a vital role in this, through the exchange of knowledge,expertise, ideas, methods and experience.

Much has been accomplished through the years, nevertheless, the Foundation is determined to ensure that further progress is made during the years ahead to meet the unmet and changing needs of persons with intellectual disability in our care, and that all clients receive the level of support and service to which they are entitled.

COPE Foundation has committed itself to providing services to a broad spectrum of people with intellectual disability, from individuals with profound disability who require extensive support, to people who have a considerable degree of independence. This kind of commitment calls for a wide range of programmes through which the individual can reach his/her full potential. The philosophy of COPE Foundation is based on the principles outlined below.

• People with intellectual disability have the same rights as other citizens;
• People with intellectual disability should be enabled to participate in the same patterns of living as other citizens;
• People with intellectual disability are capable of development and growth given appropriate supports and services;
• People with intellectual disability and their families should be enabled to participate in decisions which affect them.

Person Centred Approach
COPE Foundation is committed to a person centred planning (PCP) approach whereby the person with intellectual disability is central to the development and provision of their individual person centred programmes. This approach involves consultation with, and input from, the clients themselves and/or their family.