Disability Federation of Ireland

Disability Federation of Ireland Official page for DFI, the national support organisation for voluntary disability groups in Ireland. An advocate for the Voluntary Disability Sector.

Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) is the national support organisation for voluntary disability organisations in Ireland who provide services to people with disabilities and disabling conditions. There are 127 organisations within membership or as associates in DFI. We work to ensure that Irish society is fully inclusive of people with disabilities and disabling conditions so that they can exercise fully their civil, social and human rights. DFI provides:
Information
Training and Support
Organisation and Management Development
Research and Policy Development
Advocacy and Representation
Networking

We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of veteran disability activist Dermot Hayes. A tireless campaigner for over ...
07/01/2026

We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of veteran disability activist Dermot Hayes. A tireless campaigner for over 30 years and founder of the Clare Leader Forum, Dermot was a giant of the movement and a fierce advocate for Independent Living.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

🚨 Safeguarding concerns are up 7.5%The HSE National Safeguarding Report 2024 shows a 7.5% rise in reported concerns and ...
06/01/2026

🚨 Safeguarding concerns are up 7.5%

The HSE National Safeguarding Report 2024 shows a 7.5% rise in reported concerns and a worrying 14% increase in reports of elder abuse.

As we face these challenges and prepare for upcoming reforms, knowing how to respond is critical.

DFI, NFVSP, and NDSA are co-hosting a members-only briefing with Amanda Casey, HSE Chief Social Worker, on 24 February to discuss Adult Safeguarding.

Join us to hear directly from HSE leadership on the future of safeguarding policy.

👉 Register here: https://rebrand.ly/bdrjy4g
📥 Read the report: https://rebrand.ly/a2a050

Great news for the disability sector!The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has announced over €1m in fundi...
18/12/2025

Great news for the disability sector!

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has announced over €1m in funding for Assistive Technology projects under the HSE CREATE III programme.

We are delighted to receive funding for our CHAT, Community Hub for Assistive Tech, initiative in partnership with Enable Ireland.

Assistive Technology opens doors to education, employment, and independent living. This investment supports unmet needs and helps disabled people participate fully in society.

Huge congratulations to our members and colleagues at the The Anne Sullivan Centre For People Who Are Deafblind, Inclusion Ireland , Rehab Group who received funding as well as all the other fantastic organisations working to make Ireland a more inclusive place.

Read more: https://rebrand.ly/za27voa

Want to drive real change in your local community? You need to understand two key structures that drive local government...
17/12/2025

Want to drive real change in your local community?

You need to understand two key structures that drive local government policy and funding:

💠Public Participation Network
💠Local Community Development Committee

That's why we've put together video tutorials to demystify the process.

They break down exactly how these structures work and how you can claim your seat at the table.

Don't just wait for change to happen. Be part of shaping it.

👉 Watch the tutorials here: https://rebrand.ly/ddb9fc

Great piece in The Irish Times features DFI CEO Elaine Teague highlighting serious concerns from DFI, NDSA and IWA about...
16/12/2025

Great piece in The Irish Times features DFI CEO Elaine Teague highlighting serious concerns from DFI, NDSA and IWA about pension auto-enrolment for state-funded disability organisations.

Without additional funding to support these organisations, the impact could include staff reductions and cuts to vital disability services.

Reform should not come at the expense of disabled people or the supports they rely on.

📖 Read more: https://rebrand.ly/6e66f9

The HSE has released its new Public Health Strategy, setting out its vision the next five years.You can now watch the fu...
16/12/2025

The HSE has released its new Public Health Strategy, setting out its vision the next five years.

You can now watch the full launch webinar back on the HSE YouTube channel to hear from speakers

From a disability perspective, the strategy focuses on:

Prevalence: 21% of the population are identified as having a disability.
Equity: Explicit commitments to improving inclusion and access for vulnerable groups.
Reducing disparity: Addressing health inequalities across all life stages.

📺 Watch here: https://rebrand.ly/9ph1n68

📢 DFI's December newsletter is hereThis month's highlights include:💠We gathered at Leinster House to demand urgent Emer...
15/12/2025

📢 DFI's December newsletter is here

This month's highlights include:

💠We gathered at Leinster House to demand urgent Emergency Winter Payment.
💠The government has published the First Programme Plan of Action (2025-2026), a key phase of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.
💠Consultations and events locally, nationally an across Europe

👉 Read the full newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/2r28qpg
🔗Subscribe and never miss an issue: https://rebrand.ly/5cx27ge

🎄We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Thank you for your continued support in 2025.

🏆We are delighted to share that a co-design partnership involving DFI has been named Joint Winner in the “Improving Pati...
10/12/2025

🏆We are delighted to share that a co-design partnership involving DFI has been named Joint Winner in the “Improving Patient / Service User Experience” category at the HSE Health Excellence Awards 2025.

This work has been powered by the voices of people who use services. Their lived experience shaped the new Health Regions model, how services will be delivered, and what real partnership looks like in practice.

Thank you to everyone involved, and to the judging panel for calling this work “phenomenal” among 450+ entries.

A crowd of disability activists braved the stormy weather today to demand what the Government failed to deliver: basic f...
09/12/2025

A crowd of disability activists braved the stormy weather today to demand what the Government failed to deliver: basic financial security, dignity and rights.

Disabled people's voices were united n calling for an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities and showing that they will not accept second-class treatment.

Thank you to everyone who showed up. We have made our position clear and we'll follow up to demand a Government response

🟠 Important Safety Update 🟠There is an Orange Weather Warning in effect across Ireland today. If you are joining us outs...
09/12/2025

🟠 Important Safety Update 🟠

There is an Orange Weather Warning in effect across Ireland today. If you are joining us outside Leinster House, please prioritize your safety.

3 key safety rules for today:

care: Please allow extra time and check your route before leaving. If it is not safe for you to travel, please stay home.

No umbrellas: Due to high winds, umbrellas are dangerous. Please use hoods, hats, and raincoats instead. 🧥

Watch your signs: Strong gusts can turn placards into hazards. Please keep a tight grip on your signs or consider leaving larger ones at home.

We will be there to deliver our message, but we want everyone to get home safely.

See you at 12:30 pm. Stay safe, everyone.

🚨 “It’s 2025, not 1925.” 🚨Michael Meere talks to the Irish Times about living on €271 a week, visiting food banks, cooki...
08/12/2025

🚨 “It’s 2025, not 1925.” 🚨

Michael Meere talks to the Irish Times about living on €271 a week, visiting food banks, cooking one pot for the entire week.

Michael shouldn’t have to travel to Dublin tomorrow to call for the bare minimum.

📍 Join Michael and disabled people across Ireland
🗓 Tomorrow, 12.30 to 2pm
📌 Leinster House , Kildare Street

We need an emergency winter payment now.

Read Michael's interview: https://rebrand.ly/rov9910

Address

Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane
Dublin
8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+35314547978

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