AbilityWise

02/03/2026

Last week, I had the privilege of designing and delivering bespoke training on their chosen topic, Enhancing Communication through Universal Design to staff across the H.S.E Midlands.

This programme was run throughout the week to optimise participation.

A sincere thank you to Aaron O Sullivan from AbilityWise for sharing his lived experience of autism as a service user - his contribution made the learning real and impactful.

We're immensely grateful for the 5* feedback and the commitment to inclusion within the H.S.E Midlands services. I'm super proud to say that the general feedback has been superb with many describing it as the best and most relevant training they've ever had.

If you would like to hear more about AbilityWise's bespoke training or the 90% Government Funding (100% Funded for registered charities) to do our training, please get in touch with Deirdre at 085 2571482 or contact info@abilitywise.ie
www.AbilityWise.ie

Be Wise about Ability with AbilityWise

25/02/2026

Please take a moment to vote for AbilityWise.

I’m incredibly proud to share that AbilityWise is a finalist in the Cork Business Association Business of the Year Awards in the Best Services Category.

This stage is a public vote, and your support would mean so much.

AbilityWise started from a passion for inclusivity rooted in lived experience: as a professional working within healthcare, as a parent of two, now adult children who have disabilities, and my own personal experience of having a disability. These multifaceted experiences highlighted the need to educate on best practices of inclusivity and raise awareness of how education can transform workplace culture to enhance inclusion.

Voting for AbilityWise not only supports my business — it helps me raise awareness of the availability and impact of disability equality and inclusion training in organisations by increasing its profile.

Please take a moment to vote for AbilityWise using the link below.

I would also really appreciate a reshare.

https://lnkd.in/drZJX6zw

South Kerry Development Partnership CLG Network Cork Waterford Disability Network Cork Chamber of Commerce Secad Macroom Notice & Community Board MACROOM NOTICE BOARD Little Island Business Association

11/02/2026

Today I had the privilege of delivering Blind / Visual Awareness training to the wonderful team of Photo Museum Ireland, along with staff from Canon — supporting the launch of the incredible World Unseen exhibition.

Featured on RTÉ News tonight, this unique exhibition offers a tactile and sensory photography experience, encouraging visitors to touch and feel the images and making photography more accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.

It was fantastic to see accessibility placed at the centre of the visitor experience — and even more special to have RTE at the museum shortly after the training.
Real inclusion happens when organisations take such steps to ensure culture and the arts are open to everyone.

This training — and the subsequent sessions — were made possible through 90% funding from the Work and Access Scheme, with AbilityWise proudly donating the remaining 10% so that Photo Museum Ireland, as a charity, could maximise this opportunity without financial burden.

Well done to all involved in making this happen.

Www.AbilityWise.ie
info@abilitywise.ie

Below is a link to RTE's article on the exhibition.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0211/1558016-photography-exhibition/



Network Cork Cork Chamber of Commerce Cork Business Association

09/02/2026

From April, 2026, the Wage Subsidy Scheme is increasing its financial support to employers who employ staff who have a disability.

As a Disability Equality & Inclusion training provider, I’m particularly encouraged by recent policy updates to the Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS).
The WSS supports employers to hire and retain people with disabilities by offering a wage subsidy for work of 15–39 hours per week — helping to offset the costs of adapting roles so that all employees can succeed. Employers receive financial support based on the number of disabled staff they employ, and employees on the scheme have the same terms and conditions of employment as other staff.

From April 2026, the subsidy rates will rise for the first time since 2022:
- Base rate increasing from €6.30 to €7.50 per hour
- A middle rate of €8.50 per hour
- A top rate of €10 per hour

These changes are expected to benefit around 1,500 employers and 2,500 employees, signalling a meaningful step forward for disability inclusion in the workplace.

For information about CPD-Accredited Disability Equality & Inclusion Training with 90% Funding available through the Work & Access Scheme (100% funded for charities), contact AbilityWise on 085 2571482 or on info@abilitywise.ie

www.AbilityWise.ie

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

22/01/2026

I’m delighted to share that AbilityWise has received further CPD Accreditation, with our Neurodiversity Training Course now accredited by the CPD Accreditation Service, along with our Managerial Disability Equality & Inclusion Training.

All our courses are also CPD-accredited by The Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP).

This reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality learning that makes a real difference for organisations.

Organisations in the private, community, voluntary, and not-for-profit sectors can avail of 90% funding through the Work and Access Scheme.

We believe that high-quality, professional training should be accessible without financial barriers. We therefore, support charities by donating back the remaining 10% on all our courses. This ensures that all charities can avail of CPD-accredited courses, without overall costs.

If your organisation would benefit from accredited, funded DEI training, please contact Deirdre on 085 2571482 or at info@abilitywise.ie

Be Wise about ability with AbilityWise

www.AbilityWise.ie

21/01/2026

Difficult conversations deserve care, compassion, and psychological safety.

My role as a Mental health first responder at this Network Cork event is to help ensure attendees feel supported, grounded, and know that help is available if emotions come up before, during or after the discussions.

End of life care choices can be difficult conversations to have but knowing there are professionals like the team at Rhea funeral services, can eleviate some of the pressures of such intense and difficult times.

✨Meet the Speakers ✨

The first speakers for our February Event, The Sandwich Generation- What's Next? are Dara O'Shea and Louise O'Brien of RHEA Family Funeral Care

Dara and Louise set up RHEA Family Funeral Care inspired by Dara's own experiences. RHEA Family Funeral Care is a service dedicated to helping people plan and organise beautiful, personal, meaningful funerals, memorials or end-of-life events that honour and celebrate their loved ones with compassion, creativity and comfort, while reducing the stress on those left behind.


At Network Cork, we are aware that this event may touch on a sensitive subject for you. We have a trained mental health first responder Deirdre O’Grady AbilityWise, on our events team, who can answer any questions that you may have about the event in advance of attending, and who will be available to talk with attendees discreetly on the night if needed.

📅 Date: 4th February

📍 Venue: Raddison Hotel, Little Island

👉 Book your ticket in the link in the comments

08/12/2025

We’re incredibly grateful to receive this fantastic Google review from the McDonald's fast food restaurant team following our recent Neurodiversity Training for Managers.

“We decided to have this training to make ourselves more knowledgeable regarding hidden disabilities for our staff and for our customers and Deirdre did not disappoint. She was so passionate about the subject and we all left very much more informed. I would not hesitate to recommend AbilityWise for this training and massive thank you to Deirdre.”

A huge thank you to the team for being so engaged and open to learning, and for taking such an important step toward greater inclusion and understanding in the workplace. It was an absolute pleasure delivering this session.

Thank you to McDonald's for taking the time to leave a review for AbilityWise. Thank you also to the wonderful Aaron O Sullivan for being part of the AbilityWise team and providing his valuable insights into his lived experience as an Autistic adult during this training.

Accredited Disability Equality, Inclusion Training and Consultancy in Cork - online or in-person for workplaces, schools and communities.

02/12/2025

ADHD Ireland

·
14h
Pop in to an event this week 😊

Register here: https://buff.ly/MAOvN99

24/11/2025

AbilityWise are delighted to once again collaborate with South Kerry Development Partnership CLG on an upcoming event, "From Intention to Action".

This event has a fantastic line up of speakers who detail the practical supports available for employers and employees to build inclusive workspaces.

Definitely one not to be missed. Further details are included in the attached poster.

11/11/2025

As we approach the end of the year, things have been incredibly busy with organisations prioritising inclusion before Christmas. It’s been amazing to see so many teams investing in this work — and it’s keeping us on our toes (in the best way!).

We still have a few limited spaces left before Christmas for those who want to fit in a DEI session before the holidays, and we’re also taking bookings for 2026.

We’re fortunate to be able to offer 100% fully funded DEI training for charities, and 90% funded training for community groups and non-public sector organisations.
It’s something I'm really proud of because it means cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to learning or inclusion.

Over the years, I’ve seen how small changes in understanding can completely transform a workplace — not just for people with disabilities, but for everyone.

That’s really what drives us at AbilityWise.

We don’t just deliver Disability Equality and Inclusion (DEI) training — we start conversations that help people see each other differently.

Our sessions explore topics such as:

- Neurodiversity

-Mental Health and Wellbeing

- Physical Disabilities

- Deaf and Hard of Hearing

- Blind and Vision Impairment

- Learning Difficulties and Intellectual Disabilities

- Universal Design for Learning

Every time we run a session, we see people walk away with more empathy, more confidence, and more practical tools to make their spaces inclusive.

If you’d like to make inclusion part of your organisation’s goals — whether before Christmas or in the new year — get in touch.

085 2571482

info@abilitywise.ie

www.AbilityWise.ie

Be Wise about Ability with AbilityWise

Accredited Disability Equality, Inclusion Training and Consultancy in Cork - online or in-person for workplaces, schools and communities.

06/11/2025

Igniting Inclusion

I had the pleasure of speaking at the Igniting Inclusion Conference organised by Cork Volunteer Centre to mark Volunteer Managers Day — a space dedicated to exploring how we can make volunteering truly accessible and welcoming for everyone.

My talk focused on practical inclusion — how we can move beyond policies and intentions to actively break down barriers and create volunteer opportunities that are genuinely inclusive and accessible to all.

It was inspiring to share the stage with incredible speakers who brought their own unique perspectives on inclusion:

Kate Moynihan highlighted the importance of inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community.

Siubhan Mc Carthy from Age Friendly shared insights on engaging and supporting older volunteers.

Dr Salome Mbuga from AkiDwA offered a powerful perspective on cultural inclusion and how diversity strengthens communities.

The message was clear: Inclusion isn’t just a value — it’s an action. When we listen, adapt, and make space for everyone, we ignite real change.

A huge thank you to Cork Volunteer Centre for hosting such a thoughtful and energising event. Let’s keep the conversation going — and keep igniting inclusion in everything we do.

Be Wise about Ability with AbilityWise

Www.AbilityWise.ie

30/10/2025

Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) , one of the most beautiful places I've ever provided training in.

As with all registered charities, it's great to be able to support them through 100% cost neutral training, thanks to 90% from the Work and Access Scheme and the remainder 10% donated back from AbilityWise.

It was a particular pleasure to spend the day training staff on Disability Equality and Inclusion and great to see such interest in the subject.

Thank you to Denise Cremin and all the staff for the wonderful welcome and for the very delicious box of cakes, directly from their onsite bakery.

Www.AbilityWise.ie