In this issue:
Dublin DPO Launch
ILMI Annual Report
SIF26
ILMI elevenses
Dublin DPO Launch
On Wednesday the 26th of February 2026 the Dublin DPO was officially launched in the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam.
This signifies a major milestone for Dublin and will create ways for people from the Dublin areas to identify and tackle issues surrounding disability and accessibility around the Dublin area. This marks an important step in disabled people organising collectively to influence decisions that affect our lives across the city and county.
At the Dublin DPO launch many speakers from the Dublin DPO including;
Mick Keegan (Dublin DPO secretary)
Peter Kearns (ILMI DPO development officer)
Damien Walshe (ILMI)
Derek Gore (Dublin DPO chairperson)
Paula Geraghty (Dublin DPO PRO)
Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam
Other committee members present on the day were Martin Hoey (Dublin DPO treasurer), Jonathan Hanna (Dublin DPO vice chairperson), who also spoke on the Dublin DPO and the importance of this launch. Their contributions reflected the strong collective leadership now emerging within Dublin DPO.
At this event these speakers highlighted the importance of a DPO in Dublin. They expressed the need and benefit of it and how a DPO can tackle social inequalities within Dublin collectively. Speakers emphasised that Disabled Persons Organisations are led by disabled people themselves and grounded in lived experience.
The Dublin DPO ensures that the voices of disabled people in Dublin city and county are heard and that they have spaces to share collectively to voice opinions and concerns in relation to local development that may affect their lives. It creates a platform for disabled people to come together, build shared priorities and influence local decision making.
At this event there were many important speakers. They highlighted what the DPO is being set up for and how they plan to use collective action to tackle these problems around Dublin. The launch also highlighted how Dublin DPO forms part of a growing national movement of disabled people organising for equality, rights and independent living through collective action.
Written by Charlie Watson
ILMI Annual Report
ILMI is pleased to share that our 2025 Annual Report is now available.
The report reflects a year of collective action, growth and impact, led by disabled people across Ireland through local DPO development, policy engagement and community organising. It captures the work carried out nationally and locally to strengthen the voice of disabled people and advance equality, rights and independent living.
The Annual Report is available to download in both Word and PDF formats.
Read the ILMI Annual Report 2025 here.
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.
ILMI Elevenses
A Social Space for Disabled People
Our next Elevenses meeting will take place on Tuesday 3rd of March.
Email shellygaynor@ilmi.ie for the Zoom link.
