Newbridge Disability Access Group

09/04/2026

✋ Irish Sign Language (ISL) storybooks are now available on LOTE4Kids!

LOTE4Kids provides access to digital books and fun activities in world languages, created for children to enjoy books and learn language through storytelling. Thousands of books in 100+ languages are available, with new titles added every month. Each book is accompanied with an English translation to boost multilingual reading and listening skills.

Get started on lote4kids.com or download the app, log in with your library card, and enjoy! For more info on our eServices, visit kildarelibraries.ie. 💗

31/03/2026

27/03/2026

25/03/2026

Well done Newbridge Autism Friendly Town on getting so many business champions on board for training last night. Attached photos of speakers -Chairperson Jennifer O'Dowd and Anne-Marie Potter from Kare, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism friendly towns manager William from Asiam.ie .

24/03/2026

This practical 1-hour talk equips teachers, SNAs, and parents with effective strategies to support school-aged children who experience language and literacy challenges.

For more info and booking check out tickettailor.com/events/tttkildare

24/03/2026

Only a couple of weeks left to have your say on what a cost of disability payment should look like.

DFI has campaigned for action on the extra Cost of Disability for many years.

The government .ie recently announced a public consultation on this issue. Submissions can be made up until 5pm Tuesday 7 April 2026.
The consultation seeks feedback on:
- The agenda and format for a Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit planned on 13 May 2026.
- How the Cost of Disability payment should be designed.

You can read more about the consultation here https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/consultations/public-consultation-on-the-cost-of-disability/
We encourage members and disabled people to take part in the consultation. Do share your views, with us and with the Department, on how Cost of Disability supports should be delivered.

24/03/2026

The JAM Card and JAM App is the FREE, easy and discreet way to let others know that you need ‘Just A Minute’ of patience and support.

The JAM Card is useful when on public transport, in a retail or any other customer facing environment. You can also download the JAM Card App directly to any smart phone.

The JAM Card© was created by NOW Group, a social enterprise that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future.

Find out more ➡ https://www.jamcard.org/

20/03/2026

We’re delighted to be hosting Autism Champion Training in partnership with AsIAm 💙

We’re calling on all Newbridge businesses, voluntary groups, and public services to get involved and be part of something truly meaningful.

This training will give you the tools and understanding to better support autistic individuals and their families, helping to create more inclusive, welcoming spaces across our town.

Details:
🗓️ Tuesday, 24th March
🕣 7pm to 9pm
📍 St. Conleth and Mary’s Primary School, Newbridge, W12 VN26
👤 Send us a message for more info or click https://forms.gle/fhLdmkdVb5KaNk9AA to RSVP

Together, we can make a real difference.

09/03/2026

Please check details on the poster for information about accessible viewing areas for wheelchair users and those with mobility needs and the designated quiet zone for those with sensory needs. Many thanks to the St Patrick's Day festival committee for organising this.

07/03/2026

County Kildare Access Network generously restocked and updated the Sensory Boxes donated to Kildare Libraries! These sensory items are available behind the library desk for anyone with sensory needs to use while they visit us.
The new rejuvenated sensory items can be found in the following libraries: Maynooth, Kilcock, Celbridge , Leixlip, Clocha Rince, Newbridge, Monasterevin, Athy, Castledermot, Kildare Town and Naas!
Access Group

05/03/2026

✨Early Years Educators✨

Flourish is facilitating an upcoming complimentary webinar on the topic of "When Stimming Becomes Harmful". This webinar is open to members of our free Professional Development Group located on Facebook.
The upcoming webinar may be of particular interest to early years educators supporting Autistic or otherwise Neurodivergent children in the setting who engage in biting or other forms of self-injurious stimming.
Stimming, Safety and Support
For many Autistic people, stimming is an essential part of navigating the world. At times, however, a stim may lead to physical injury or signal escalating distress.
This upcoming webinar explores self-injurious or high-risk stimming through a trauma-informed, identity-affirming lens. We will look at how to distinguish between regulating stims and distress-driven responses, how sensory processing, cumulative stress, trauma, communication differences, and environmental mismatch influence escalation, and how adults can respond while preserving autonomy.
This presentation is delivered by Amanda McGuinness, Director of Autism Advocacy and Professional Practice at Flourish. Amanda is an Autistic advocate and parent to 4 multi-neurodivergent children.
Together, we will explore how to:
• Understand stimming
• Differentiate joyful stimming from overwhelm-driven responses
• Recognise relational and environmental stressors
• Respond to high-risk stimming
• Introduce protective adaptations that honour regulatory intent
• Support safe self-regulation across the lifespan
This session centres Autistic voice, acknowledges the impact of masking and unmet needs, and moves firmly away from compliance-based thinking. The focus is connection, co-regulation, and relational safety.
📅 5th March 2026
⏰ 7.30pm
📍 Online via Zoom
Registration essential
This complimentary webinar is open to members of the Flourish Professional Development Group.
To join:https://www.facebook.com/groups/flourishautismprofessionaldevelopmentgroup/