Cork Disabled Persons Organisation

13/02/2026

Let’s talk about addressing the cost of disability.

The need to tackle the cost of disability has long been recognised by disabled people and DPOs. That urgency is now reflected in the Programme for Government 2025 and the Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2030. Article 28 of the UN CRPD also clearly sets out our right to an adequate standard of living and social protection.

The Department of Social Protection is leading the development of a cost of disability scheme and has launched a consultative process. ILMI strongly believes disabled people must be central at every stage of shaping this scheme. Our lived experience is not optional. It is essential.

We want to hear from you. Across two collective discussion sessions, we will focus on two key areas. First, what the upcoming DSP National Strategic Framework Summit on Cost of Disability is about and how disabled people’s lived experience should be reflected in it. Second, how a cost of disability scheme should be designed so it has a real and meaningful impact on disabled people’s lives.

We will explore questions such as who should receive a cost of disability payment, how often it should be paid, and how it supports choice and independent living. Facilitators will share guiding questions in advance.

The first session takes place on Tuesday 17 February at 3 pm and will focus on the structure and content of the DSP National Strategic Framework Summit. A second session will then examine the structure of the cost of disability scheme itself.

To register and get the Zoom link, email michaelseifu@ilmi.ie

IMAGE: poster with text of date time and purpose all detailed above

12/02/2026

What’s inside the latest ILMI eBulletin? A whole lot of disabled-led action 💥

📍 Cork DPO
Cork DPO members came together in person at the Cork Association for the Deaf to set priorities for 2026. It was energetic, honest and grounded in lived experience. Members spoke clearly about frustration with performative consultation where nothing changes and committed to challenging tokenism wherever it shows up. Disabled people travelled from across East and North Cork to take part, despite ongoing transport barriers.
Want to join? corkdpo26@gmail.com 087 7189237

🎨 Disability Arts DPO DaDa
The second constitutional workshop ahead of the May 2026 AGM was packed with creativity, vision and strong debate. Disabled artists are building a solid foundation for a DPO that protects disabled-led decision making, ensures inclusion across impairments and strengthens our collective voice in arts policy. This is about shaping the future of disability arts on our own terms.

🩺 Disabled Women’s Healthcare: Moving from Listening to Action
The third Women’s Health Action Plan presents a critical opportunity. Despite new menopause clinics, perinatal supports, IVF access and free HRT, Disabled Women still face physical barriers, short appointments, inaccessible information and bias in healthcare settings. Real change means designing services with Disabled Women, not for us. Accessibility is a legal right. Disabled Women are rights holders. The time for action is now.

🏠 ILMI Housing Network
Our Housing Network welcomed Peter Kearns for the first of two disability equality training workshops. The session explored disability as a social and political issue, not a medical problem, unpacking labels, institutions and systemic barriers. Through discussion and lived experience, members strengthened their rights-based analysis and leadership for housing advocacy. Next session: 17 February.

Plus details of our "Cost of Disability Consultation" the Dublin DPO launch at the Mansion House and our social online coffee morning "Elevenses"

This is what collective action looks like. Local organising. National policy influence. Disabled people leading.

Read the full eBulletin and stay connected, click this link:
https://mailchi.mp/7f8298d7ea8c/ilmi-ebulletin-2nd-of-october-14768300?e=[UNIQID]

Happy Valentine's day from everyone on the ILMI Team.

❤️❤️❤️💘

IMAGE: red poster with hearts and text that reads "ILMI eBulletin the 12th of Feb 2026"

12/02/2026

10/02/2026

04/02/2026

Cork City Partnership is recruiting a Friendly Call Development Support Worker.

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

Our Chair and PRO got to see President Catherine Connolly while she was in town.

04/02/2026

Join Wexford Disabled Persons Organisation

A space for us, led by us.

We are a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) for disabled people only. Together, we empower each other to take control of our lives and work towards a more inclusive society.

We follow the Social Model of Disability — we believe people are disabled by barriers in society (like inaccessible buildings or hard-to-read information), not by our conditions.

By joining, you become part of a strong collective voice advocating for disability rights and social justice.

Our Voice. Our Choice.

Whether you’re looking for connection, support, resources, or a sense of belonging, we offer a safe, welcoming space for disabled people with physical, sensory, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, and mental health conditions.
Why join us?
* Change society – help break down barriers
* Community – everyone has lived experience of disability
* Lead the way – Nothing about us, without us!

📩 How to join
👉 Click here to sign up:
👉 Or send us a private message