All views are my own, Disability Activist Irish Wheelchair Association National Advocacy Manager; MA Public Advocacy & Activism BA Counselling & Psychotherapy
Joined October 2016
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Best of luck to you both. It was a pleasure working with Barry in the past and I am looking forward to working with Karenin the future
NDSA would like to thank our outgoing Chairperson, Barry McGinn former CEO of @RehabGroup for his service & wish him well for the future
We are delighted to welcome Dr Karen Foley from @ABIIreland as our new Chair & look forward to building on work to date
ndsa.ie/news-and-views/ndsa-…
ALT Portrait photograph of Barry McGinn
ALT Portrait photo of Dr. Karen Foley
Joan Carthy retweeted
Your chance to help your Wheelchair Basketball team is here! Our Intro to Wheelchair Basketball Coaching course takes place on September 20th in Tralee and the next step up, Level 1 on October 10th to 11th in Cork!
iwa.ie/events/coaching-wheel…
@sportireland @ParalympicsIRE @BballIrl
People with disabilities are constantly side lined and excluded even in reports about us. Does the well known phrase "nothing about us, without us" mean nothing
We stand with @InclusionIrl in calling for a rights-based overhaul of public inquiries in Ireland.
Their report released today condemns the Farrelly Commission process & shows how systems must do better by disabled people and why access to advocacy matters.
#DisabilityRights #NAS
Will we see promises fulfilled in Budget 26, Cost of disability must be a priority
Bust the myths
❌ Myth: People with disabilities are “looked after” by welfare.
✅ Truth: Disability comes with huge extra costs, and most supports don’t even cover the basics.
It’s time for Budget 2026 to reflect reality.
#DeliverTheStepChange
For more: bit.ly/4ly5Cze
ALT A graphic with the heading: “Disability comes with huge extra costs.” In the centre is an illustration of a large stack of envelopes and bills marked “OVERDUE,” with a question mark icon above them. On the left side is a QR code with a yellow label that says “SCAN HERE!” Below the illustration, the text reads: “Time for a Cost of Disability payment.” At the bottom are the hashtags: #DeliverTheStepChange and #DisabilityBudget26.
Where is the whole of Government approach, where are the voices of the people that will be impacted by decisions made by these working groups. @DarraghOBrienTD
We commented on this post by the minister as we feel once again the voice of the disability community is being ignored in relation to issues that are most pressing for our community.
How can you have a Public Transport Saftey Working Group that excludes the voice of wheelchair users the mobility impaired and those with vision impairments who are those in need the most of a safe secure network?
@DarraghOBrienTD @TFIupdates @IrishRail @IrishWheelchair @DisabilityFed @InclusionIre @FreedomSaoirse @ILMIreland @Dept_Transport @DublinCommuters @CarersIreland @StMichaelsHouse @susdennehy @DisabilityHubIE @LeoKavanagh @fussireland
Last week thanks to @DisabilityFed @1Hildegarde I was honoured to have the opportunity to address the UN on AI and leaving no one behind. I also got to meet some amazing disabled people people and hear what is happening around the world.
I also moderated a panel discussion on Partnership and co-design – Perspectives on the role of DPO's in the development and implementation of National Disability Strategies which include @FionaWaldon Joe Mcgrath, @nialbrunell DCDE @FergalMythen @melrosekarminty @PaulaTesoriero.
This is a ongoing issue faced by PWD. Wheelchair liveable accommodation is not being built and the crisis within the crisis will never be solved until Part M of building regulations are changed to include WC liveable homes @JamesBrowneTD. Disability is your responsibility too
The hidden housing crisis we face in our world of disability.
Our own @SeanOKelly92 and @mulvanypeopleb1 have been banging this drum for a long time now.
Bernard has raised the issue of the bigger housing crisis faced by our mobility impaired communities due to the lack of accessibility and supports for PWD to be able to live independently.
It’s a housing crisis, we know that, but our housing crisis is compounded by the guilt we feel because our families feel they have no choice but to keep us living at home and that policy seems to suit a lot of policy makers!
#HousingCrisis @NormaFoleyTD1 @MichealMartinTD @IrishWheelchair @InclusionIre @DisabilityFed @adayinmywheels @FreedomSaoirse @1Hildegarde @JamesBrowneTD
Joan Carthy retweeted
Hi everyone I’m off to Brussels today for a general assembly on Youth Participation. I left my mam at home ♿️
#NED25 Just out of Disability session, strong messaging from @DisabilityFed we don't need more planning we need implementation.
#NED25 attending the National Economic Dialogue Forum. An Taoiseach commits to fund National Disabiliy Strategy and promises to focus on respite, therapists and income support
I addressed the UN #COSP, highlighting how AI can support independent living for people with disabilities and warning of the barriers that could stand in the way of true inclusion.
Joan Carthy retweeted
We're at UN Conference of State Parties (COSP).
The Civil Society Forum takes place today.
🕒 Join live from 3 to 6pm and 8 to 11pm (Irish time).
🔗 webtv.un.org/en
Joan Carthy will speak during Session 3 (8–11pm): "Leaving no one behind using AI to support inclusion."
ALT Three women in front of steps with an umbrella
Thanks so much, Bernard for coming in to support our campaign
Yesterday Bernard was invited in to support the @IrishWheelchair as the made their pre-budget submission.
We especially love the #AccessForAll signs because it’s always been about more than lifts, it’s about our place in society!!!!
#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
Joan Carthy retweeted
🎥 Behind the scenes on #AccessNoJoke
Thank you for loving the Access: It's No Joke video series and for starting a national conversation 🙌
Joan Carthy retweeted
#AccessNoJoke Funny and True - very impactful @IrishWheelchair well done ♿👏🎬
Joan Carthy retweeted
Can’t reach it. Can’t see it. Definitely can’t use it. 😩
ATMs should be accessible for everyone.
Got a similar story? Send us your video.
For more go to iwa.ie
#AccessNoJoke
Joan Carthy retweeted
So many parking spots, and not a single accessible one in sight. 🅿️🧑🦽
Accessible parking shouldn't be a treasure hunt!♿ 😫
Got your own clip? Let’s share the truth.
#AccessNoJoke