Looking Back at Q2: Active Disability Ireland News & Updates
Active Disability Ireland has had a busy quarter, with a refreshed inclusion charter, a national awards ceremony, new board appointments, a major policy consultation, and continued progress on research and training. Here's a full round-up.
National Conference 2026 — Save the Date
Active Disability Ireland's annual National Conference will take place on Wednesday, 2nd December at the Lyrath Estate, County Kilkenny. Early bird tickets will be released exclusively to subscribers in the coming weeks, giving partners and the wider community first access to discounted rates.
Sport Inclusion Disability Charter — New Video & Assets
A new promotional video has launched for the Sport Inclusion Disability Charter, alongside a refreshed suite of promotional assets. Since 2018, more than 2,600 clubs, organisations and community groups have signed the Charter, and the organisation is now aiming for 3,000 signatures. Organisations that have already signed can download the updated resource pack, which includes new social media graphics and a digital badge.
Active Disability Service Awards
Over 120 representatives from disability services across Ireland gathered to celebrate innovation and leadership in supporting active, healthy lifestyles. This year's awards received the highest number of submissions to date, with eight winners recognised for transforming the lives of disability day service users through healthy lifestyle supports. The programme is supported by Sport Ireland and the HSE.
New Board Appointments
Three new directors have joined the Board, including a Marketing & Communications Director and two newly created positions — Fundraising and Business Development Director, and Advocacy Director — as part of the organisation's strategic growth.
Following the AGM, the 2025 Annual Report is now available, reflecting a year of growth and continued commitment to inclusion.
Disability Act 2005 Review — Public Consultation
The Government has launched a public consultation on the first review of the Disability Act 2005 in over 20 years. People with disabilities, families, carers and representative groups are encouraged to share their experience of barriers or successes in accessing sport, physical activity or community participation.
Consultation closes 9 September. Submissions can be made via email, post, audio/video, online form, Braille and Irish Sign Language.
Partnership Spotlight: My Moving Brain
My Moving Brain is a community-led initiative improving inclusion in sport and physical activity for people living with a range of brain conditions. Through co-designed events across Ireland, the project has brought together people with lived experience, families, coaches, clinicians and advocacy organisations. Working with Active Disability Ireland, the project is now developing brain-specific training and shared resources.
Training & Education
The Training & Education team is redeveloping its workshops — including Disability Inclusion, Autism in Sport, and Inclusive Fitness Training — with new interactive eLearning modules and refreshed online resources.
Upcoming eLearning follow-up sessions:
Anyone who completes the eLearning training can attend a follow-up session. The course is currently half price at €15 (discount applied at checkout).
Separately, every Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO) nationwide has been upskilled to deliver the new Sports Inclusion and Disability Awareness Training workshop free of charge to local clubs and community groups. Every Local Sports Partnership has also received 100 licences for the Disability Inclusion eLearning course, funded by Sport Ireland.
Research
A Role for Everyone in Sport: Active Disability Ireland's study with the University of Limerick, exploring social participation in sport among people with disabilities, has moved through the planning and ethics stages. National data collection via surveys and interviews begins in the coming months.
Xcessible Programme Evaluation: An evaluation conducted with the University of Limerick found the programme has strengthened disability inclusion across participating National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, improving staff confidence and inclusive practices. A full evaluation report will be released in the coming months.
Active Healthy Me Programme
Caro Day Service recently completed a successful six-week fitness class at Caltra Community Centre, with 33 participants across two inclusive sessions. The programme, running since 2016, concluded with a certificate and medal presentation, alongside the Mary B. Dillon Award (Declan Briscoe) and the Mary Lennon Award (Oakglen).
Additional highlights:
The team spoke to NewsTalk about the importance of sport in the lives of people with disabilities — listen to the podcast, "Movement as Inclusion"
Continued partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, hosting US students for a Sport Inclusion Disability Awareness workshop at Sport Ireland Campus
Support for the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, including volunteering and medal presentations by CEO Brenda O'Donnell and Strategic Operations Manager Stephanie MacSweeney
Source: Active Disability Ireland newsletter, "Looking Back at Q2: News & Updates," 13 July 2026.