Independent Living Movement Ireland

21/08/2026

ILMI eBulletin is out now on this link: https://mailchi.mp/d9c71e2818ee/ilmi-ebulletin-2nd-of-october-14772063?e=[UNIQID]

Have a great weekend from everyone on the ILMI Team



IMAGE: Bold black and yellow textured graphic reading “ILMI eBulletin, the 21st of August 2026”, with the ILMI logo.

20/08/2026

Movie Night, check out the details in post and grab your popcorn!

Next Social:

We are having a movie night in the Avalon Centre (Chapel Street, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo) from 6 to 9 pm on Friday August 28th. Members and other disabled people over 16 with lived experience in County Sligo are all welcome. You can also bring a plus one (not counting a PA -- PAs are always welcome)

Event poster has a background in our standard neon pink In the background are black line drawings of chips, burger, soft drink, pizza and popcorn. In the foreground is a roll of film with three forward-facing panes. The top pane has the Sligo DPO logo. The middle and largest pane says "Movie Night". The bottom pane says "Avalon Centre, Friday, 28 August, 6 to 9 pm"

19/08/2026

Tipperary DPO Meeting with Tipperary County Council

On Monday the 17th of August, Tipperary DPO Chairperson Dean Buckley and Secretary Nicola Meacle met with Áine Roche, Coordinator of the Local Community Safety Partnership and Accessibility Officer with Tipperary County Council.

Dean and Nicola welcomed the opportunity to discuss the role of a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) and the importance of meaningful consultation with disabled people when developing policies, services and communities that impact our lives.

A particularly productive discussion focused on the need for a dedicated Access and Inclusion Officer within Tipperary County Council. Commitment 12 of Ireland’s National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030 includes a commitment to resource a full time Access and Inclusion Officer in every local authority.

This role has the potential to be hugely important. Local authorities make decisions across many areas of everyday life for disabled people, including housing, the built environment, footpaths and public spaces, as well as access to local sporting, cultural and recreational opportunities.

Tipperary DPO looks forward to working with Tipperary County Council and other stakeholders to support the establishment of this role and, importantly, to ensuring disabled people and the local DPO are part of that process.

This was a positive meeting and another important step in building a strong relationship between Tipperary DPO and the local authority, ensuring the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us is put into practice at local level.

IMAGE 1 : photo shows members of Tipperary DPO in the coco offices

Tipperary Disabled Persons Organisation

14/08/2026

ILMI eBulletin is on this link: https://mailchi.mp/da3bff85f0de/ilmi-ebulletin-2nd-of-october-14771923?e=[UNIQID]

Have a great weekend from everyone on the ILMI Team

14/08/2026

Calling all disabled people in Waterford!

13/08/2026

First AILiFE+ AI Research Focus Group Held

ILMI is delighted to be partnering with a UCD research team led by Dr Stefanie Havelka on the AILiFE+ research project. The project, AILiFE+: An Inclusive AI Literacy and Workforce Readiness Framework for Disabled People in Ireland, is working to co-design a disability inclusive AI literacy framework with disabled people at its centre.



The first of three online focus groups took place on the 5th of August with ILMI members from across Ireland.



The discussion explored disabled people's experiences, perceptions and attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence. It was a lively and engaging conversation, with participants sharing both the opportunities AI presents and the barriers and accessibility challenges that still need to be addressed. Most importantly, participants highlighted how disabled people's lived experience must shape the future development and use of AI.


With AI playing an increasingly important role in education, employment and everyday life, ensuring disabled people's voices are central to this conversation has never been more important.


The remaining focus groups will explore AI in relation to employment and education. If you are a disabled person and would like to take part, please contact ILMI Policy Assistant Claire Kenny at [email protected] to register your interest.

IMAGE: poster in blue with white text AILiFE+ research project with ILMI, UCD Dublin and Research Ireland logos.

10/08/2026

Free Life Coaching for Disabled People

Are you a disabled person living in Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford or Wexford?

ILMI's VOICE project is offering free online life coaching to help you work towards your personal goals. Sessions take place on Zoom and are tailored to your individual needs.


To find out more, contact your local VOICE Community Development Worker:

Cork, Kerry and Tipperary

Nicola Meacle [email protected]



Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford

Paula Soraghan [email protected]

IMAGE: Poster promoting free online life coaching for disabled people through ILMI's VOICE project, with contact details for Nicola Meacle and Paula Soraghan in the participating counties.

07/08/2026

Local DPOs Shape ILMI's Response to the Review of the Disability Act

Local Disabled Persons Organisations from Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, Waterford, Sligo, Meath and Donegal came together online on Tuesday the 4th and Thursday the 6th of August to discuss the definition of "disability" in the Disability Act 2005.

The meetings formed part of ILMI's response to the Government's review of the Act. This is an important opportunity for local and national Disabled Persons Organisations to work collectively and ensure disabled people's voices shape future disability legislation.

Participants agreed that the current definition of disability is no longer fit for purpose. It continues to focus on an individual's impairment rather than recognising the physical, environmental, communication and attitudinal barriers that prevent disabled people from participating equally in society.

Since the Disability Act was introduced in 2005, Ireland has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People and seen the growth of Disabled Persons Organisations at both local and national level. These developments have fundamentally changed how disability should be understood.

Participants agreed that any new definition of disability must reflect the Social Model of Disability and the human rights principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. They also agreed that disabled people must continue to lead this conversation.

Nothing About Us Without Us.

The next online session will take place at the end of August, when participants will begin drafting a proposed new definition of disability ahead of the Government consultation deadline of the 9th of October 2026.

To find out more or to get involved, please contact Paula Soraghan at [email protected]



IMAGE 1 and 2 are Zoom screenshots of both days
Sligo Disabled Person's Organisation - DPOWexford DPO - Disabled Persons' Organisation@wateforddisabledpersonsorganisation

06/08/2026

closing date fast approaching

NDA

Have Your Say: Assistive Technology and Smart Homes for Independent Living

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is inviting Disabled People to help shape future Government policy on assistive technology and smart home technology.

This is an important opportunity for Disabled People and Disabled Persons' Organisations (DPOs) to ensure that technology is recognised as a tool to support Independent Living, choice, control and full participation in the community, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).



Assistive technology must not replace human support such as Personal Assistance, but can complement it by increasing independence, communication, safety and autonomy. It is essential that Disabled People share their lived experience so that future policies, funding and supports are based on what people actually need to live independently.



The NDA is seeking the views of Disabled People, people who use assistive technology, personal assistants, carers, older people, and those working in housing, technology and support services.



Online focus groups (up to 90 minutes) will take place between 19 August and 17 September 2026, with individual discussions available on request. Accessible participation will be provided.



To express your interest or find out more, contact [email protected] by the 7th of August 2026.



IMAGE: Poster from the National Disability Authority inviting disabled people to take part in research on assistive technology and smart homes. It explains the project, who can participate, what is involved, accessibility supports available and how to register before the 7th of August 2026. Text and detail on poster : National Disability Authority poster inviting disabled people to take part in research on assistive technology and smart homes. The research aims to understand how technology can better support Independent Living, choice, control and participation in the community. The poster explains that the findings will inform national guidance and Government policy as part of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022 to 2027. It outlines the topics being explored, including the availability and effectiveness of assistive technology, barriers to access, housing design, universal design, policy, funding and support systems. The NDA is seeking input from disabled people, older people, people who use assistive technology at home, carers, personal assistants and people working in housing, technology or support services. Participation involves online focus groups between the 19th of August and the 17th of September 2026, with individual discussions available on request. The poster also highlights accessibility supports including captions, Easy Read information, Irish Sign Language on request, quiet spaces and flexible participation options. The closing date to register interest is the 7th of August 2026 and enquiries can be sent to [email protected]

06/08/2026

A new ILMI VOICE Project 6 week online course is starting in September.

If you are a disabled person living in Kerry, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow or Kilkenny, we'd love you to join us.

VOICE is designed for disabled people by disabled people. It is a space to connect with other disabled people, build confidence, share experiences and take action on the issues that matter in your community.

The course is free and runs online over six weeks, with the opportunity to stay involved in the VOICE Project afterwards.

Don't miss out. Places are limited.

To register or find out more, contact Nicola Meacle, Community Development Worker.

Phone: 087 718 9237

Email: [email protected]



IMAGE: Poster promoting a new ILMI VOICE Project six week online course starting in September for disabled people in Kerry, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny, with Nicola Meacle's contact details to register.