Disability Federation of Ireland

A graphic announcing a National Protest on Saturday, February 28th at 1:00 PM. The text highlights the location: Garden of Remembrance, Dublin, marching to the Customs House. The main message calls for an Emergency Winter Payment for people with disabilities. Logos for the Disability Federation of Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association, and Access for All are visible at the bottom.

National protest led by DFI, Irish Wheelchair Association, and Access For All.

We're continuing to call for a €400 Emergency Winter Disability Payment. By removing "one-off" supports thousands are up to €1,400 worse off.

📍 Garden of Remembrance, Dublin 🕐 12.30 pm 📅 28 Feb

A group of approximately fifteen people stands and sits in front of Leinster House, a large stone building with numerous windows. Three individuals in the front are using wheelchairs, and one person is using a crutch. Several people are holding purple booklets titled "Emergency Winter Payment." One person holds a document with a table on it. The group is dressed in various winter coats and semi-f

Our January newsletter is here. We spotlighted:

🔸€400 Emergency Winter Payment campaign for disabled people
🔸Advocacy 2025
🔸Cost of Disability

Read the full newsletter here: rebrand.ly/jt7e5pv
Subscribe to our newsletter: tinyurl.com/mwmra6m5

The cover of the Department of Health "Waiting Time Action Plan 2026" document, featuring the official logos of the Government of Ireland, the HSE, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

The 'Waiting Time Action Plan 2026 has been published. While we welcome progress, it is disappointing that disability is not mentioned.

Without disability-proofing metrics, we risk leaving people behind.

Read the Action Plan: rebrand.ly/65psvqu

Promotional graphic for the Leadership Academy’s Executive MBA scholarship. The headline reads: "Scholarships for the Charity Sector." The text highlights a €30,000 scholarship for the Trinity Business School Executive MBA (part-time) starting this September. Logos for The Wheel, Trinity Business School, and The Ireland Funds are displayed at the bottom against a background of the Trinity College

Want to level up with an Executive MBA at Trinity College?

The Leadership Academy (The Wheel) is sharing a scholarship opportunity:

✅ €30k in fees covered
✅ For charity sector staff
✅ Starts this September.

Don't miss out! Apply here: rebrand.ly/gu2ikdt

Minister Dara Calleary referred to the "heat or eat" crisis as "misleading".

Michael has to decide if he can afford 1 bar or 2 on his heater. Does this sound like messaging, or a struggle for survival?

We need the Emergency Winter Payment.

Email your local TD: rebrand.ly/1y2sbwx

Thanks to ‪@social-democrats.bsky.social for their motion calling on an emergency winter payment of €400.

Get involved

Please email your local TDs and Senators today through IWA's easy-to-use tool here: www.iwa.ie/get-involved...

@disabilityfed.bsky.social

🚨We met Minister Emer Higgins regarding the #EmergencyWinterPayment. She committed to raise the issue with the Tánaiste and Cabinet. We are still waiting on a response from the Taoiseach following our letter this week. The campaign continues.

For more: rebrand.ly/mdjeh0b

Colleagues stand in front of a whiteboard covered in colourful sticky notes with words like "Planning," "People," and "Innovation," appearing to be in a brainstorming session.

Are you transforming disability support or organisational development?

Apply for EASPD Innovation Awards 2026!

Focus areas:

🔸 HR and Leadership
🔸Green/Digital Transition
🔸 Finance and Comms.

Showcase your work in Porto.

Apply by 1 Feb: rebrand.ly/pgs5kfq

Last month, we stood together to demand an Emergency Winter Payment. Today, we're taking it to Oireachtas members in a briefing hosted by the Social Democrats

Alongside the IWA and Access For All, we're addressing the emergency facing disabled people

For more: rebrand.ly/ugy3sri

A close-up of a person's open palm holding a small, miniature model of a two-story house against a plain, light grey background.

We're partnering with European colleagues to launch the EU-funded IN-HABIT project, working to ensure inclusive housing.
Join our launch webinar on 29 Jan. We'll be discussing the Irish National Housing Strategy & new EU solutions.

👉 Register: rebrand.ly/kkjca6q

A woman with blonde hair, wearing glasses and a red shawl, sits in a power wheelchair and looks up at Dermot Hayes standing before her. They are holding hands. Dermot wears a red beret, a red sweater, and uses crutches for support. In the background, there is a lit Christmas tree and a banner that partially reads "CLARE FORUM."

We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dermot Hayes. A tireless campaigner 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.

Cover of the National Safeguarding Office Annual Report 2024 featuring the HSE logo and a stylised illustration of four adults standing together against a green background.

HSE's National Safeguarding Report shows a 7.5% rise in concerns and a 14% increase in elder abuse.

On 24 Feb, we're co-hosting a members-only briefing with HSE's Amanda Casey to discuss safeguarding.

Register: rebrand.ly/bdrjy4g
Read report: rebrand.ly/a2a050

DFI Welcomes €1m Investment in Assistive Technology We welcome the announcement by Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Norma Foley TD, of over €1 million in funding for digital and assistive technology, AT projects. &#82...

Huge congratulations to our members and colleagues at the Anne Sullivan Centre, 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: rebrand.ly/za27voa

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

A profile view of a young man with short dark hair sitting at a desk, wearing a green and purple striped sweater. He has his eyes closed and rests his hand against a pair of over-ear headphones, appearing to listen intently. An open laptop sits in front of him, and a white cane leans against the wall in the background.

🧵Great news!

The Dept 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.

A presenter stands between a Disability Federation of Ireland banner and a flipchart. The flipchart reads "Local Community Development Committee" with the acronym "LCDC" boxed in red. The presenter is holding a marker and gesturing towards the text on the chart.

Want to drive change in your community?

You need to know two drivers local policy and funding:

💠Public Participation Network
💠Local Community Development Committee

We've put together video tutorials to demystify the process.

Watch the tutorials: rebrand.ly/ddb9fc

A close-up, side-angle view of a person seated in a manual wheelchair with a purple frame. The person's hand is gripping the silver push rim of the wheel. They are outdoors on a paved surface, wearing a dark textured coat, with a blurred background showing trees and vehicles

Irish Times features DFI CEO Elaine Teague highlighting concerns about pension auto-enrolment for state-funded disability organisations.

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

📖 Read more: rebrand.ly/6e66f9

Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE, speaking at a lectern during an event. He is wearing a dark suit and tie with an HSE lanyard, standing in front of an HSE-branded backdrop and gesturing as he speaks.

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

From a disability perspective, the strategy focuses on:

💠Prevalence
💠Equity
💠Reducing disparity

📺 Watch the launch webinar here: rebrand.ly/9ph1n68

A large group of disabled people and supporters gather outside government buildings behind railings, many using wheelchairs and mobility aids. They hold green and blue placards reading “Choice, not charity,” “Heat or Eat,” and “Disabled by the State – Second Class Citizen,” as they pose together on at Leinster House during a public protest.

📢 DFI Dec Newsletter is here!

Inside:

💠Protest for Emergency Winter Payment
💠First Programme Plan of Action
💠Consultations and events locally, nationally an across Europe.

🎄 Merry Christmas from the DFI team!

Read: rebrand.ly/2r28qpg
Sub: rebrand.ly/5cx27ge

Six adults stand together smiling in an ornate room decorated with Christmas lights and greenery. They are positioned in front of a large screen that reads “Health Service Excellence Awards.” Gold chairs are arranged in rows around them, and warm lighting fills the space, creating a formal celebration setting.

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

This work has been powered by the voices of people who use services.

Thank you to everyone involved.

A large group of disabled people and supporters gather outside government buildings, many using wheelchairs and mobility devices. They hold protest signs reading “Choice, not charity,” “Heat or Eat,” and “Disabled by the State = Second-Class Citizen.” Several people have fists raised in solidarity. The group stands and sits closely together in front of black iron railings and stone pillars, united

A crowd of disabled activists braved the storm today to demand what Government has failed to deliver: basic financial security, dignity and rights. Voices were united in calling for an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities. Thank you to all who showed up.

A weather forecast map of Ireland and the UK showing a large storm system approaching from the Atlantic Ocean. Deep purple and red shading indicates high wind speeds hitting the southwest coast of Ireland, while white streaks illustrate wind direction swirling across the country. Temperatures are displayed, showing 13 degrees in Dublin and 14 degrees in Cork.

⚠️ Weather Update

Orange Warning in Effect

Please exercise caution travelling to the Dáil today.

❌ No Umbrellas. Use rain gear due to high wind. ⚠️ Secure your signs. Watch out for gusts.

Stay safe. See you at 12.30

Ann Marie Flanagan, a woman with blonde hair and glasses seated in a power wheelchair wearing a bright pink shawl, clasps hands with Dermot Hayes as she presents him with an award. Dermot, wearing a maroon beret and red jumper, stands using a cane and looks at her warmly. In the background, there is a lit Christmas tree and a yellow banner reading "Clare Leader Forum."

A well-deserved honour for a true champion.

Congratulations Dermot Hayes. Recognised at the Clare Leader Forum ‘People Power’ conference in Ennis.

Dermot has spent a lifetime fighting for the rights of disabled people.

📸: Ann Marie Flanagan presenting Dermot with his award.

A protest graphic with a green overlay shows disabled activists holding signs outside Leinster House. Large text reads: “No one should have to choose between heating and eating.” Below, smaller text says: “Join us at Leinster House as we show the disability community will not be ignored.” A white banner states: “Tue, 9th Dec, 12.30 pm to 2pm.” Logos of the Irish Wheelchair Association, Disability

The Government has ignored the urgency of the cost of living with a disability.

Join us at Leinster House from 12.30pm on Tuesday 9 December to demand:

➡️An Emergency Winter Payment.
➡️Reinstatement of targeted energy credits for disabled people at risk of energy poverty.

Five campaigners pose for a photo in a room illuminated by strong purple lighting. From left to right: a woman holds a glowing orb; a woman holds a neon heart outline; a man holds a glow stick; a man in a sweater stands in the center; and a man on the far right holds a sign reading "#PurpleLights25". A large cutout text sign reading "#PurpleLights" stretches across the front of the group.

💜You'll be seeing purple.

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

To mark the day landmarks across the country are lighting up in solidarity with the 1 in 5 people in Ireland living with a disability.

Share your support using#PurpleLights25 #IDPwD25.

A green promotional graphic featuring a background photo of people in wheelchairs holding protest signs. Large white text reads: "Winter is here and heating costs are rising. Join us at Leinster House as we show the disability community will not be ignored." A white box at the bottom displays the date and time: "Tue, 9th Dec, 12.30 pm to 2pm." On the right-hand side are the logos for the Irish Whe

Disabled people are €1,400 worse off this year. We cannot wait another day.

Budget 2026 cut one-off disability payments with nothing to replace them.

Join us from 12.30 on 9 December at Leinster House where we'll be demanding an Emergency Winter Payment.

#CostOfDisability

photo taken at night showing a female member of An Garda Síochána in full uniform standing next to a man in casual clothing. They are standing in front of a stone building that is washed in purple light for the Purple Lights campaign. Both individuals are holding long white signs that read '#PurpleLights'

Tomorrow, Ireland shines purple for UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities ! 💜

From Dáil Éireann to the Mansion House, iconic landmarks will light up to celebrate the 1 in 5 people in Ireland living with a disability.

Wear purple 📸 Share your pics #PurpleLights25 #IDPwD25

A smiling man wearing a yellow shirt and a reflective safety vest stands in front of a green wall. He appears to be outdoors and looks directly at the camera with a friendly expression.

Finding meaningful work shouldn't be an additional struggle. Rehab Group invites employers to sign the #MoreThanAJob Inclusion Pledge committing to accessible workplaces where talent is valued.

Make a stand for diversity. 👇 rehab.ie/join-the-more-than...

Cover of a report titled “Places of Care = Places of Safety? Violence Against Persons with Disabilities in Institutions” published by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The image shows a hand stopping falling dominoes, symbolising the need to prevent harm.

🏠 Places of Care = Places of Safety?

For many disabled people, institutions can be places of hidden violence and neglect.

A report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights exposes this crisis and challenges a rethink of what "care" means.

Read more: tinyurl.com/2zs2t7m9