Action Duchenne Webinar Series 2025 - Coping with the Diagnosis with Professor David Schonfeld
Action Duchenne welcome’s Professor David Schonfeld, internationally renowned developmental behavioural paediatrician and regular Action Duchenne conference speaker a webinar focusing on ‘Coping with Diagnosis’, with lots of opportunity for questions.
Helium Arts: Distance Creates Online Saturday Youth Meet Ups (ages 13-16)
These workshops consist of interactive sessions carried out over Zoom. During these sessions, you will receive activities that encourage creativity and connect you with other young people who have similar life experiences. The time between the live sessions can be used for catching up or further immersing yourself in your project or activity at your own pace throughout the week.
It’s Brain Awareness Week!
MDI is a member of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) and a partner of the Brain Awareness Week campaign.
MDI Members Receive Power Soccer Wheelchairs in Milestone Event
We are thrilled to share the highlights of a special event held at MDI Head Office on Wednesday, 5th February, where three of our members were presented with power soccer wheelchairs to support their participation in Powerchair Football. This initiative is a major step in ensuring that our members have access to the equipment they need to thrive in the sport.
The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon is open for registrations, and we are currently recruiting Team MDI!
We would love to build on the success of last year when we had 13 amazing women on our team who raised an incredible €5,508 to support our work. This year we would like to have a team of at least 20 women taking part to fundraise on behalf of MDI.
Show Your Stripes for Rare Disease Day!
Show Your Stripes is a fun way to engage neighbours, friends and the larger community on Rare Disease Day. There are so many ways to participate in the campaign. Get Creative!
28th February is Rare Disease Day!
Rare Disease Day is a globally coordinated movement dedicated to rare diseases, striving for equity in social opportunities, healthcare, and access to diagnosis and therapies for people living with a rare disease.
Apply Now: Accessible FAI Matchday Experience at Aviva!
We’re thrilled to share a fantastic opportunity, made possible through the Ollie Hickey Fund! We have season tickets for five FAI matches at the Aviva Stadium, offering an incredible matchday experience in the accessible seating area, centre-pitch location. For each game, we’ll have an application process aimed at different groups, such as young adults, groups of friends
National Service Plan 2025 – Disability Federation of Ireland summary highlighting disability-specific measures.
The HSE have published the National Service Plan 2025 that sets the course for healthcare developments in the coming year. In response, DFI has prepared a summary highlighting disability-specific measures in the Service Plan.
Programme for Government: What's in it for Disabled People?
This year’s Programme reflects the growing recognition of disability issues, thanks to strong advocacy from DFI and others, the recent election focus, and the transfer of disability functions out of the Department of Health.
Do you know a child aged 6-16 with a lifelong physical health condition who’d love to connect with others and get creative?
These workshops consist of interactive sessions carried out over Zoom. During these sessions, you will receive activities that encourage creativity and connect you with other young people who have similar life experiences. The time between the live sessions can be used for catching up or further immersing yourself in your project or activity at your own pace throughout the week.
Barriers to Gaming: Accessibility, Controller Design and Physical Disabilities.
Gamers with limited mobility or motor function find it challenging to use traditional controllers. Complex button combinations and rapid reflexes can create barriers to success, leaving these players feeling excluded from mainstream games. Help Andre Vysotskyi with his thesis - 'Barriers to Gaming' by completing this survey. Please note - this survey is only for people who are 18 years of age and over.
Enter our January Book Giveaway.
We have 9 copies of the helpful and practical book, Living a Healthy Life with Long-Term Conditions by Dr. Kate Lorig, to give away. This resource, based on groundbreaking research from Stanford University, is packed with tips on building confidence and managing symptoms like fatigue, pain, and stress, empowering you to take positive steps in your daily life.
Independent Living Movement Ireland: Join Us for a Lunchtime Talk with Lucy Webster!
At 1:00 PM, writer, journalist, and disability activist Lucy Webster will join on Zoom to share her insights, stories, and experiences as a young disabled woman. Lucy has captured the hearts and minds of readers with her critically acclaimed book The View from Down Here: Life as a Young Disabled Woman, and now, she’s bringing her incredible perspective directly to you.
MDI Barretstown Camp 2025 – Expression of Interest Now Open!
We’re delighted to announce that MDI’s Barretstown Camp will take place this year from 16th to 18th May. Following the huge success of last year’s camp, we can’t wait to welcome even more families for another unforgettable weekend!
MDI Family Summer Camp In Barretstown: A Resounding Success!
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland was thrilled to partner with Barretstown last year for our family summer camp, which took place from May 24th to May 26th 2024. We hosted 24 families, totalling 115 campers, for an unforgettable weekend filled with joy, connection, and adventure.
AHEAD is offering a free virtual workshop on the topic of Assistive Technology (AT)
In this practical workshop, you will explore how technologies - from mainstream features like Microsoft Office accessibility tools to specialised solutions - can better support you in the workplace. Drawing on real-life examples, you will gain insights into how best to discuss ATs with your employer and how they can be implemented for you. You will also learn about AHEAD's AT Hive, including its 'Discover Your Assistive Technology' feature, which matches you with tools tailored to your needs.
Job Opportunity: MDI Bookkeeper
Job Specifications
Processing, payment, posting and reconciling of all invoices and supplier statements.
Prepare and issue Quarterly, Half yearly and Monthly invoices for HSE and other funders as necessary
Preparation, payment and posting of payroll
Reconciliation, payment and posting of staff expenses
Preparation, payment, posting and reconciliation of all income received
Completion of monthly bank reconciliations
Implement efficiencies in financial systems
Other adhoc bookkeeping and administration tasks
General Administration and office duties
MDI fully supports Dr Rosaleen McDonagh’s article calling on the government for action on disability, not talking.
Shaping the new Programme for Government, there is an opportunity for innovation and joined-up thinking. Disability as a phrase is bandied about, though, as if it’s an abstract, disembodied experience. It gets thrown about by politicians, media and service providers as if it recently became part of the Zeitgeist. We saw it happen in the recent election.
MDUK are hosting two free virtual information seminars in January.
Each webinar will focus on a specific topic, such as helping you understand more about your condition, sharing the latest information about treatments, or providing updates on research. As well as people living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition, they are also open to friends, family members and carers.