€500 Cost of Disability payment falls far short of the weekly costs disabled people face
We wish to share Disability Federation (DFI) of Ireland's response to Budget 2027 announcement of a Cost of Disability payment. As a member of Disability Federation Ireland, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland contributes to collective advocacy to advance the rights of disabled people.
ExWell Medical: Looking for a safe, supportive way to stay active?
ExWell Medical is a not-for-profit organisation running medically supervised exercise classes for people living with long-term conditions, including neuromuscular conditions. Classes are led by trained instructors and combine gentle aerobic, strength, core and balance work in a supportive, sociable group setting. ExWell has centres across Dublin, Leinster, Munster and Connacht, plus online classes and weekly Zoom health talks. To join, you'll need a referral from your GP or another healthcare professional.
Register Now: Five Expert Voices, One Evening: Our Assistive Technology Webinar on 14th October.
Join us online on 14th October at 7pm for our Assistive Technology Information Webinar. Victoria Geaney from Tus Nua Occupational Therapy will discuss power mobility and the MDI Wellness Programme. Laura from AT Superstore will demo the latest devices. Niamh Bridges from Tobii Dynavox will cover eye-gaze technology for communication and independence. MDI member Catherine Keegan will share her family's experience of living with CMT. Cathy Wright from Citizens Information will explain the funding and grants available for AT. Our online peer support workshop follows on 19th October. Email tania@mdi.ie to join.
Assistive Technology News Monthly: October 2026
October's Assistive Technology Update is here. Join our free online information webinar on Tuesday 14th October at 7pm, with Niamh Bridges, AAC Trainer with Tobii Dynavox, on eye-gaze technology for communication and independence; MDI member Catherine Keegan on how assistive tech has supported her family living with CMT; and Cathy Wright from Citizens Information on funding and grants for AT. Our online peer support workshop also runs on 19th October. This month's resources include our webinar recordings on accessibility features in Windows, iOS and Android, the Quha Zono head mouse, the BIGtrack 2 trackball, the Flexi wheelchair phone holder, and simple-control music and TV devices. We also share a step-by-step guide from one of our members on setting up a PC to power on with a switch.
Kinship Care Week 2026: Celebrating the families who keep children connected
This week Ireland marks its third Kinship Care Week, part of Global Kinship Care Week. Led by Kinship Care Ireland, a national programme of the charity Treoir, the week celebrates the grandparents, relatives and close family friends who step in to raise a child.
Kinship care is when a child is raised full-time by grandparents, relatives or close family friends because their parents are unable to care for them. It keeps children connected to their family, community and identity. Between 10,000 and 12,000 children in Ireland are growing up in kinship care. Without these carers, many of those children would need to enter State care. This year's theme is simple: #KinshipCareCounts.
MDI Supports New Research into the Transition to Adulthood for Young People with DMD
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland is delighted to be co-funding a new research project aimed at improving support for young people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy as they transition to adulthood.
MDI School Awareness Programme
MDI School Awareness Programme
Having an understanding of Muscular Dystrophy and related neuromuscular conditions within the school setting is vital for creating a supportive and inclusive experience for young pupils and to ensure they are fully included in all aspects of school life.
Global Alliance Recognizes Sixth International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day
More than 60 organizations unite to strengthen awareness, registries, research, and access to care for people living with myotonic dystrophy (DM).15 September 2026, Worldwide: The Global Alliance for Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness (Global Alliance) proudly celebrates the sixth annual International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. More than 60 organizations from around the world are uniting to raise awareness, advance research, and improve care and quality of life for people living with myotonic dystrophy (DM) and their families.
Evrysdi for adults with SMA in Ireland: what to do next
Evrysdi for adults with SMA in Ireland: what to do next
MDI welcomes the significant development that reimbursement for Evrysdi (risdiplam) will be extended to a defined group of adults living with spinal muscular atrophy from 1 October 2026.
Advancing Muscular Dystrophy Research Through Partnership
As part of Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, we’re delighted to highlight MDI’s successful partnership through Research Ireland’s Enterprise Partnership Postgraduate Scheme, mentoring an early-career researcher at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) University. This exciting partnership is helping to advance research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) while supporting the next generation of researchers in the field.
MDI Annual Report 2025 Now Available
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland is delighted to announce that our Annual Report 2025, "Making Connections", is now available to download. The report looks back on a year of purposeful progress for MDI and our community, marking the final year of our Strategy 2023–2025 and setting the stage for an ambitious new chapter towards 2030.
Expression of Interest (EOI) - Patient Partners for the National Rare Disease Strategy Implementation Programme
The National Rare Disease Office (NRDO) is pleased to launch an Expression of Interest (EOI) process seeking Patient Partners to participate in implementation of the National Rare Disease Strategy 2025-2030. Patient Partners will contribute to National Rare Disease Strategy Workstream Groups and the Patient Partnership Forum, working alongside patient advocacy organisations, clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders to help shape and inform implementation of the Strategy.
MDI Members Have Their Say: Survey Highlights Accessibility Gaps and Energy Costs Ahead of Disability Act Review
With the Disability Act 2005 under review for the first time in over 20 years, and growing concern about poverty among people with disabilities, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland recently surveyed members to hear about their experiences first-hand. Thirty-five members and family members took part, representing a range of ages, conditions and living situations across the country. The findings paint a clear picture: two decades on from the Act, significant barriers remain in housing, public spaces and daily living costs.
Assistive Technology News Monthly: September 2026
This month's AT newsletter is packed with opportunities to learn and connect. Two free online workshops are coming up: Juliann from Enable Ireland explores the built-in accessibility features of Windows, iOS and Android (9 September, 7pm–8pm), and Jackie from Fighting Blindness demonstrates how smart home devices like Alexa, smart plugs and bulbs can support independent living (23 September, 7pm–8pm).
Have you booked your place at MDI’s National Conference 2026 yet?
Join us on Saturday, 21 November 2026 at Croke Park, Cusack Stand, Dublin for Shared Voices, Shared Strength – a day dedicated to learning, discussion, advocacy and connection within the neuromuscular community. The conference brings together people living with neuromuscular conditions, family members, healthcare professionals and supporters to share experiences, hear from expert speakers and explore issues that matter most to our community.
Crimes against fashion, committed for a very good cause! 👔🎸
Team MDI have been embracing the Bad Shirt Friday spirit today ahead of tonight's fundraising gig at First Presbyterian Church, Rosemary Street, Belfast. Even our CEO Alan and Comms Officer Niall got in on the act!
The Bonnevilles back muscular dystrophy fundraiser with good music and bad shirts
IRELAND'S premier garage-punk-blues duo The Bonnevilles will be lending their support to a very good cause this evening when they join the bill of a special charity show at First Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month, and we wanted to take this opportunity to remind members and families about the range of free wellbeing services available through MDI.
A momentous day for the Friedreich ataxia community in Ireland
MDI welcomes the HSE’s decision to approve reimbursement of Skyclarys (omaveloxolone) for eligible adults living with Friedreich ataxia in Ireland. This decision comes after months of campaigning which saw the whole community come together, with people across Ireland getting behind the campaign and supporting people living with Friedreich ataxia and their families.
Bookings are now open for MDI’s National Conference 2026!
We are delighted to announce that bookings are now open for MDI’s National Conference 2026. Join us on Saturday, 21 November 2026 at Croke Park, Cusack Stand, Dublin for a day of learning, connection, and shared experiences. Places are limited, so we encourage you to book early to secure your spot. Find out more about the conference and book your place.