Dialogue in the Dark

Posted on 16. Sep, 2009 in Different abilities

What would it be like if you suddenly lost your sight? Dialogue in the Dark is an exhibition which creates that feeling for sighted people. Led by blind or visually impaired guides they are taken through a darkened exhibition and given tasks to complete. Miriam Gormally met Dr. Andrea Heinecke, the founder of Dialogue in […]

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Remembered

Posted on 02. Sep, 2009 in Achievement, Different abilities, Sport

The Special Olympics is recognised as having changed lives – the lives of the participants, their families and the wider community.  Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who passed away recently, was founder of the Special Olympics and worked tirelessly throughout her life promoting the Games. Eileen Good spoke to Matt English, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland about […]

Disability/Ability Attitudes

Posted on 22. Jul, 2009 in Different abilities, Discrimination

Kanchi is an award winning enterprise which exists to enhance the relationship between disability and society.  Working with business and media leadership, Kanchi has developed unique and creative initiatives to change the social landscape for people with disabilities. Miriam Gormally spoke with Gabrielle Murphy, Kanchi’s Managing Director, who began by explaining what they are aiming […]

Inspiring People

Posted on 08. Jul, 2009 in Different abilities, Discrimination

Caroline Casey is a former management consultant with Accenture, she is also visually impaired to the degree that she is registered as legally blind.  Nine years ago Caroline set up the Aisling Foundation with the aim of enhancing the relationship between disability and society.  As Aisling became more internationalised the name was changed to Kanchi.  […]

Grandparent’s Day

Posted on 29. Apr, 2009 in Different abilities, Older People

Bealtaine is a festival that celebrates creativity in older age. The festival starts with Grandparents day; a day when grandparents go into schools and talk with children about what life was like in years gone by. They tell stories and share experiences. Miriam Gormally started by asking Art O’Suilleabhain, Director of Mayo Education Centre, how […]

Special Needs Axed

Posted on 18. Feb, 2009 in Caring for Children, Different abilities, Education

Last Week the Minister for Education Batt O’Keefe announced his controversial decision to cut special teacher support for over 530 children with mild general learning disabilities.  The move has unleashed a storm of protest from outraged parents and teachers across the country.  On the day the cutbacks were announced Eileen Good spoke to Tina Kennedy, […]

Special Needs Winners

Posted on 04. Feb, 2009 in Achievement, Different abilities

On January 29th last, the Irish League of Credit Unions awarded €120,000 to five Special Needs Groups, and their President Uel Adair said they were particularly glad to making the grants in time of economic difficulties.  The winners were St. Raphael’s in Co. Kildare and Dudley Foster told Eileen Good how their winning project was […]

Inclusion Ireland

Posted on 12. Nov, 2008 in Different abilities, Economy, Politics

Budget talks continue as 2008 saw one of the harshest budgets ever. One of the groups to be affected is people living with intellectual disabilities. While the government has made a u-turn on their original decision to reduce the age of childcare from 18 to 16, there are still many issues that will affect those […]

Positive Ageing

Posted on 17. Sep, 2008 in Different abilities, Discrimination

We are all ageing and yet many of our images of older people are negative. Positive Ageing Week is running from 26 September to Saturday 4 October 2008. It is sponsored by ESB and organised by Age Action Ireland to celebrating ageing and highlight the fact that ageing can be an opportunity and not a […]

SPRED

Posted on 09. Jan, 2008 in Church Teachings, Different abilities, Faith and Justice

Celebration and sacred services should be open to anyone who wishes to partake.  Spred is an organisation that makes sure nobody is left behind.  It is a network of services set up to allow people with educational difficulties to worship.  Miriam Gormally asked Críona Considine, a Dominican nun who works with Spred, to explain what […]