Disability Support Organisations

The following organisations offer information and support for people with special needs and/or those caring for them.

Irish Wheelchair Association

We provide a nationwide assisted living service, community centres in every county, a fleet of accessible buses, a national parking permit and driving school service, wheelchair accessible social houses and help young people with disabilities to build employability skills and confidence.

Our flagship sports programme, IWA Sport, is the national governing body for wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and powerlifting and runs sports clubs for children and adults. Many of Ireland’s finest para-athletes started their careers with IWA Sport

https://www.iwa.ie/

Down Syndrome Ireland

We offer information, practical help and support. Most of all, we are a community of people who share the same journey. We provide support and services to people with Down syndrome and their families though a national office and 25 branches nationwide.

https://downsyndrome.ie/

Irish Society for Autsim

The society provides a range of supports and services including a phoneline on 01 874 4684

They provide training to a range of sectors and also advocate on behalf of people with autism and their families. They also have an extensive library where books can be rented or purchased.

https://autism.ie/

AHEAD

AHEAD is an independent non-profit organisation working to create inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities. The main focus of our work is further education and training, higher education and graduate employment.

https://www.ahead.ie/

Family Carers Association

The association is the national charity supporting family carers and works to promote the health, wellbeing and quality of life of family carers. They offer help and guidance and also run a confidential freephone Careline on 1800 24 07 24

https://www.familycarers.ie

National Council for the Blind

NCBI works to transform the lives of those who are blind or vision impaired. We offer timely information and support, relevant technology and innovative programmes to sustain those with a vision impairment in education, in the workplace, and in wider society.

NCBI information line 1850 33 43 53

https://www.ncbi.ie

Chime - National Charity for Deafness and Hearing Loss

The charity champions for equal rights, greater accessibility and opportunities for individuals impacted by deafness and hearing loss.