In this issue:
Meath DPO
Disability Arts DPO (DaDa)
Cork DPO
Tipperary DPO
PAS Peer Group
SIF26
Meath DPO discusses new HSE regional structures
Members of Meath Disabled Persons Organisation met on 9 March and welcomed guest speaker Fiona O’Driscoll, who spoke about the major restructuring currently taking place within the HSE.
Six new Health Regions are being established to plan and deliver services based on the needs of local populations. The Dublin North East region, which includes Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and North Dublin, is the first region to be set up and covers a population of around 1.2 million people.
Fiona explained that new Regional Patient and Service User engagement (PSUE) Forums are being created to place lived experience at the centre of local health services. The Dublin North East council is the first to be established and includes both senior HSE staff and public representatives.
Meath DPO members stressed the importance of strong representation from Disabled Persons Organisations. Members highlighted that there is no replacement for lived experience and that DPOs bring the collective voice of disabled people.
Fiona welcomed this feedback and said the recommendations from Meath DPO would be shared with other regional leads as the remaining councils are developed. She also committed to ensuring that communication from the councils reaches DPOs and that the distinction between DPOs and service providers is clearly understood.
Regional Patient and Service User Forums are expected to be established across all six health regions by June 2026. ILMI will continue to link in with the HSE National PSUE lead to ensure local DPOs are part of all of the new Integrated Healthcare Areas (IHAs) PSUE forums.
Disability Arts DPO (DaDa) meeting highlights creativity and collective voice
Disabled artists from across Ireland came together this week for another meeting of the Disability Arts Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO). The group is continuing its work to build a strong disabled led space for artists to connect, organise and shape the future of disability arts.
Members are currently developing a constitution which they plan to adopt at an AGM in May 2026. The meeting was full of ideas, creativity and discussion about how disabled artists can work collectively to strengthen their voice.
Disability arts plays a vital role in challenging stereotypes and ensuring disabled people tell our own stories. Through theatre, visual art, writing, music and performance, disabled artists bring lived experience and perspectives that reshape how disability is understood in society.
By organising as a DPO, disabled artists are creating a space where they can support each other’s work, advocate for greater recognition and access in the arts, and ensure that disabled people lead conversations about disability arts in Ireland.
Cork DPO
On Monday the 9th of March members and staff of the Cork City Public Participation Network came together to celebrate the launch of the document Vision for an Inclusive Cork City.
This unique project was mandated and developed by PPN members and their communities. The research gathered the lived experience of people living in Cork City today and explored what a different, more inclusive vision for the city could look like.
The document sets out a series of practical actions that, if implemented, would help Cork become a more inclusive and accessible city for everyone.
Cork DPO and ILMI were represented on the project’s Advisory Group by Sarah Harrington and Nicola Meacle, ensuring the perspectives and lived experiences of disabled people were part of shaping this important work.
Calling All Disabled People in Tipperary!
Tipperary DPO
Tipperary Disabled Persons Organisation are holding their first Annual General Meeting and all members are invited to attend.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 18th March from 1pm to 4pm in the Boardroom at Technological University of the Shannon, Thurles campus.
The afternoon will begin with an open information session for non members, followed by an opening address from Nicola Meacle, ILMI Community Development Worker. Fiona Weldon, ILMI Capacity Development Officer, will also speak about her journey as a disability activist and why she views the world through the lens of the social model of disability.
Members will then come together to ratify the Tipperary DPO constitution and elect officers.
This is an important milestone for disabled people organising together locally and building the collective voice of the Independent Living movement in Tipperary.
For any queries please contact: tipperarydpo@gmail.com address or ring/text 087 7189237
ILMI is launching a Personal Assistance Peer Group
This is a peer-led space for disabled people to talk openly about Personal Assistance
What works, what’s challenging, and how we support each other.
Open to disabled people who have a PA service and those who want to learn more.
Monthly Zoom meetings
Informal, peer-to-peer discussion
Disabled-led
First session is an introductory.
A space to share, listen, and learn together.
Nothing About Us, Without Us.
Time and Date: Tuesday the 31st of March at 11am via Zoom
To Register and get the Zoom link contact Shelly ILMI’s Peer Mentor by email shellygaynor@ilmi.ie or text or call 087 101 9593
Have your say at the Social Inclusion Forum 2026
Community Work Ireland and EAPN Ireland are hosting a series of preparatory workshops ahead of the Social Inclusion Forum 2026, creating space for people and communities directly affected by poverty and social exclusion to shape national discussion and action.
One of this year’s key themes is “Nothing About Us Without Us. Disability in Ireland”
These workshops are an opportunity to bring lived experience into policy conversations and ensure disabled people and communities impacted by inequality are heard.
Workshops take place nationwide and online throughout March and April.
The Social Inclusion Forum 2026 will take place on Wednesday 27 May in Dublin.
Find out more about locations dates and themes and register on this link.
