Inclusion Ireland

19/06/2026

On Wednesday 17th June Inclusion Ireland welcomed members, self-advocates, families, supporters, public representatives and stakeholders from across the country to our 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The day was an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by, celebrate achievements, and focus on the work that still needs to be done to ensure people with intellectual disabilities can live ordinary lives as equal members of their communities.

We heard powerful contributions from people with intellectual disabilities and family members who shared their experiences, hopes and priorities for the future. We were delighted to welcome public representatives from across the political spectrum for a discussion on the key issues facing our community, and we were delighted to be joined by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, who addressed members and outlined her commitment to disability rights and inclusion.

A special thank you to Avril Webster for sharing her son Stephen's story, reminding us all of the importance of listening to people with an intellectual disability and their families and doing things differently. Thank you also to The Lámh Connects Choir, whose wonderful performance brought energy and joy to the day.

Most importantly, thank you to our members. Your voices, experiences and advocacy continue to drive Inclusion Ireland's work and shape our vision for a more inclusive Ireland.

Thank you to the team at IHREC for hosting us in their excellent accessible events space and for their support throughout the day.

18/06/2026

Yesterday, we welcomed members, self-advocates, families, supporters, policymakers and public representatives to 2026 Annual General Meeting.

It was a day of powerful stories, important conversations and a shared commitment to building a more inclusive Ireland.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day such a success.

We will share more images throughout the day today.

16/06/2026

A home of your own is about more than bricks and mortar. It is about choice, independence, belonging and rights.

Our new Our Rights, Our Voices survey found that 63% of adults with an intellectual disability still live in the family home. Among those who want to move, more than one third say they do not have the support needed to do so, while fewer than one in five have a plan in place.

These findings matter because the right to choose where and with whom to live is protected under Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

People told us what matters most to them:

- Feeling safe
- Living near family and friends
- Being part of their community
- Living with people they choose

The message is clear. People do not want a future determined by crisis, availability or institutional settings. They want the same thing everyone wants: a place to call home and the support to live the life they choose.

16/06/2026

This week, we will be sharing the findings from Our Rights, Our Voices – Inclusion Ireland's largest national survey to date.

More than 1,500 people with intellectual disabilities, family members, and supporters from across Ireland shared their experiences, concerns, and hopes for the future.

They told us:

🏠 What is working in their lives
🚧 What barriers they continue to face
📣 What needs to change to achieve real inclusion

The findings paint a powerful picture of life for people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Ireland today. They also send a clear message to Government ahead of Budget 2027.

Over the coming days, we will be sharing key findings from the survey and highlighting the actions needed to ensure people with intellectual disabilities can live ordinary lives as equal members of their communities.

Follow along this week and help us amplify the message.

21/05/2026

👏A massive, heartfelt thank you to the over 1,500 people from every corner of Ireland who took the time to share their stories in our “Our Rights, Our Voices” Annual National Survey.

Because of you, this has officially been our largest national survey to date!

🌟 What Happens Next?

We are now diving into the data to ensure your experiences directly shape the future of disability rights in Ireland, and up first is our Budget Submission 2027!

We look forward to sharing the findings and working together to build an Ireland where everyone belongs. Thank you for making your voice heard!

20/05/2026

Today, Inclusion Ireland appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters.

We delivered an opening statement presenting the findings of our commissioned report: "Representative Advocacy for Children with Intellectual Disabilities."

Conducted independently by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the University of Galway, this research put children and young people firmly in the driving seat.

Right now, children and their families are under enormous pressure just to access fundamental rights - like a school place, timely therapies, and a normal family life.

💡 Our Call to Action: A National Advocacy Service for Children

Ireland already has an excellent National Advocacy Service for adults. We need the exact same service for children. An independent advocate standing alongside children and families would:

- Amplify children's voices and challenge discrimination.

- Intervene early to prevent family crises.

- Ensure no family has to walk this exhausting path alone.

Every child in Ireland deserves the right to live an ordinary, decent life.

20/05/2026

📣We're hiring: Senior Speech and Language Therapist (0.2 WTE – 18-Month Project)

Inclusion Ireland is looking for a part-time Senior SLT to join our core project team for the HSE CREATE III Accessible Information initiative!

If you have a minimum of 3 years post-graduate experience, are CORU registered, and have a background working with adults with intellectual disabilities, this is your chance to make a national impact.

What you’ll do:

- Contribute clinical communication expertise to develop National Standards for Accessible Information.

- Support the delivery of training co-designed with experts with lived experience.

- Help build a centralised National Resource Hub.

🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://www.inclusionireland.ie/news-events/job-opportunity-senior-speech-and-language-therapist-role-part-time/

Deadline for applications: 2nd June 2026

18/05/2026

90% of people with an intellectual disability and their families that we surveyed last year have no meaningful plan for their future housing.

This is leading to crisis-driven and at times inhumane situations.

‘We should never be in crisis-management mode when it comes to the provision of the most basic human rights like the right to a home. It’s about more than bricks and mortar, it infringes on how people feel about themselves’ - Derval McDonagh, CEO, Inclusion Ireland.

Read more through the link in our stories.

18/05/2026

90% of people with an intellectual disability and their families that we surveyed last year have no meaningful plan for their future housing.

This is leading to crisis-driven and at times inhumane situations.

'We should never be in crisis-management mode when it comes to the provision of the most basic human rights like the right to a home. It’s about more than bricks and mortar, it infringes on how people feel about themselves' - Derval McDonagh, CEO, Inclusion Ireland.

Read more here:

Close to 200 people with intellectual disabilities are sent to residential placements more than 100km from their home, something parents say is an added strain on an already traumatic situation

18/05/2026

The clock is ticking... our national survey closes at 12:00pm today!

Hundreds of you have already shared your stories, but to build an inclusive Ireland, we need to hear from everyone. What is working? What barriers still exist? What needs to change?

This is your final opportunity to tell us. It takes just 5 minutes, but your input will have a lasting impact on disability rights in Ireland.

Choose the survey that is relevant to you before the midday deadline:

💻 Survey 1: Adults with intellectual disabilities
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C2M7YCN

💻 Survey 2: Parents and guardians of children with an intellectual disability (up to age 18) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q7WQF9R

💻 Survey 3: Families and supporters of adults with intellectual disabilities
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BZKBPZC

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported, shared, and filled out the survey so far. Let's make these last few hours count! 🙌