Irish Wheelchair Association

02/10/2026

Did you catch IWA member Niall McDonnell on Random Driving Test with PJ Gallagher on RTÉ One last night?

In the episode, Niall shared how a road accident resulted in him becoming a wheelchair user — and he explains that Irish Wheelchair Association's Driving School helped get him back on the road just a couple of months later.

Our Driving School is one of IWA's most important services. It supports people like Niall to regain their independence by getting back on the road after an accident, but it also caters for those with a disability who are looking to get on the road for the first time.

You can find out more about our motoring school by visiting www.iwa.ie/services/motoring. Huge thanks to everyone who made this show possible, including the RTÉ team, Niall, Tony and Barry from our Motoring School.

You can watch Niall's episode of Random Driving Test on the RTÉ Player here: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/the-random-driving-test/10024558-00-0000?epguid=IP10025347-01-0003

02/10/2026

Huge congratulations to our Kilkenny RT group who received their QQI Level 3 Certification for Managing Personal Finances and Self Advocacy modules. 👏 👏

The external examiner praised the RT students and gave very positive feedback for the amount of work that was put into the modules. 🙌

IWA members Noel Mc Cormack, JJ Corrigan, Sean Brennan, Padraig Breen, Patrick Ryan, Richie Barcoe, Michelle Dowd and John Grace are pictured with Susan Corrigan ETB tutor, Heather Jeffery RT support staff and Eimear Phelan Service Coordinator.

Everyone in Kilkenny are so proud of the RT students and their achievements. They have started two new modules and are looking forward to continue their learning and developing new skills.

02/10/2026

Shout out to Petrina, Susan, Richard and Agnes for flying the flag in Tullamore for Annual Fundraising Day last week.
A huge thank you to all who stopped by and kindly supported us. 🙂

30/09/2026

This year marks an incredible milestone for the South Tipperary Volunteer Branch of Irish Wheelchair Association as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

For five decades, the branch has stood as a cornerstone of local support, inclusion, and lasting friendship, powered by a dedicated team of 28 volunteers who give their time and energy throughout the year.
Read the full article here⬇️
https://link.iwa.ie/4h6Rddq

29/09/2026

Starting university is a daunting experience for everyone but doing so as a person with disabilities brings the challenge to a whole new level.
Leesa Flynn, Conor Lynott, and Juliette Pochat share their experiences with us in this insightful article.
🔽

Explore how universities can better support students with disabilities, addressing key accessibility challenges and inclusive higher education opportunities.

29/09/2026

Just weeks ago, Taoiseach Micheál Martin promised that a "groundbreaking" Cost of Disability payment would be introduced in Budget 2027. A week out, and Government sources are openly saying that the payment will "not meet the cost of disability" and that it will only represent a "small improvement" on the €500 and €400 'once-off' disability payments provided in recent budgets.

👉 The Government's own data has found that people with disabilities face additional costs ranging from €10,766 to €15,550 per year. People with disabilities have spent years campaigning for a Cost of Disability payment that would ease the financial burden they face, and we're long past the time for 'small improvements'.

👉 Reports also suggest that the payment will be made once or twice a year rather than weekly or monthly. People with disabilities have been clear from the outset that a Cost of Disability payment must be regular, predictable, and capable of helping people manage ongoing bills and everyday expenses. Structuring the payment in this way makes it look more like a continuation of once-off disability grants rather than a real Cost of Disability payment.

👉 We are once again calling on the Government to introduce a weekly Cost of Disability payment of €55 for people with disabilities in Budget 2027. This wouldn't even fully cover the extra costs people with disabilities face but would be a strong foundation upon which to build.

29/09/2026

IWA members in Donegal have been busy recently! Here are some gorgeous pictures from their outing to the Ulster American Folk Park, their visit to the Carrigart Hotel for a beautiful meal, and the amazing artwork members in Letterkenny and Malin have been creating. 💚

29/09/2026

Already have a Will?

Did you know you can update it as your personal circumstances change?

Updating your Will to include a gift for a cause you care about, like Irish Wheelchair Association, is easy and meaningful.

Even a small percentage can make a big difference.

Request your free Gift in Will brochure here: https://bit.ly/4gUNgYa

28/09/2026

Unfit footpaths, inadequate public transport, the misuse of disabled parking spaces, and inaccessible local amenities – does this sound familiar? People with disabilities are all too familiar with access barriers. They exist in every town, village and city in Ireland, and our leaders aren’t doing enough to eradicate them.

With the Budget coming up next week, here's what IWA is calling on the Government to implement to make Ireland more accessible for people with disabilities:

👉 Provide ring-fenced funding to resource a full-time Access and Inclusion Officer within every Local Authority.

👉 Allocate a specific Access Fund for Local Authorities to repair non-compliant footpaths and improve town-centre accessibility.

👉 Prioritise the recruitment of individuals with lived experience of disability to ensure policies are grounded in reality.

28/09/2026

IWA Carlow said goodbye to an absolute legend last week when Dolly Dunne retired after an incredible 30 years of service. 💚

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting Dolly will know what an amazing person she is. She has been absolutely integral to IWA Carlow over the past 30 years, and she will be so very missed. 🤗

Everyone at IWA Carlow would like to say a very special thank you to Dolly for the years of dedication, kindness, friendship and hard work. Best of luck Dolly, and enjoy your retirement!