Sligo Disabled Person's Organisation - DPO

13/11/2025

It's great ro be a part of this growing local DPO Network where County level DPOs can support each other.

ILMI Local DPO Network

ILMI’s Local DPO Network brings together representatives from Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) across Ireland to share learning, strengthen collective action and build the social model movement locally.

Meeting every two months, the Network is a space for disabled activists to connect, exchange experiences and shape local advocacy strategies. It’s a place where local DPOs support one another to influence real change in county councils, HSE structures, education and training boards, and other decision-making spaces – all in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Throughout 2025, the Local DPO Network has continued to grow, with new DPOs being established and existing ones developing strong partnerships in their communities. In 2026, ILMI plans to bring the Network together in person for a national gathering of DPO members, featuring workshops and presentations that highlight how local DPOs are transforming their counties through collective leadership.

The Network is also hosting a series of online sessions to explore key topics such as effective participation in local structures, universal design, and combating misinformation.

Any disabled person interested in joining or helping to establish a local DPO in their county can contact Peter Kearns at peterkearns@ilmi.ie for more information.


IMAGE: text that reads "Local DPO Network" and an imbedded screenshot of the group

07/11/2025

It's not too late to try and get a link for the afternoon and evening today.

It has been a fantastic morning with over 500 delegates attending from across 22 different countries. Key takeaways from this morning include: That mental health diagnoses are essential socio-cultural rather than being based on any proof of 'chemical imbalance' or 'biomarkers'; That 'Western' psycological / psychiatric medicine has colonised much of the globe at the expense of other ways of looking at mental health; It has also colonised our language when we talk about someone as 'toxic' or 'a people pleaser' or we we talk about the importance of 'boundary setting', we are buying into psychological rhetoric, which contributes to isolating us from each other; Labelling people with psychiatric labels creates fear and stigma and reduces the community support, which would help people overcome trauma; that labeling children with 'Special Educational Needs' effectively lets the schools off the hook for failing to meet children's developmental needs -- it stops us looking at how we can make a more flexible and child-centred education system that meets everyone's needs.

We are looking forward to more as we head into the afternoon session.

AD4E festival 2025: A whole day of change-making talks, presentations, conversations - all challenging the culture of diagnosis & disorder!

26/10/2025

This is a very important conversation. What does 'respite' say to disabled family members about their place within the family? What are the alternatives? How should we support families with disabled members, and particularly disabled children? ILMI is beginning this conversation amongst disabled people ourselves. Please email info@ilmi.ie if you are a disabled person who would like to be part of that conversation.

Respite and disabled people: Space for an ILMI analysis

11th November 10:30am (via ZOOM)

ILMI needs to build a clear analysis on the role of respite in the lives of disabled people in light of the implementation of the UNCRPD.

There is a commitment in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2023 to “Increase availability of respite places and broaden the spectrum of respite provision in supporting disabled people and their families”.

Most of the research shows demand for respite comes primarily from families, and seldom are the voices of Disabled People heard in this.

As a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) it is vital to have an informed, collective discussion on what the lived experience of Disabled People is and has been in accessing respite. What works? Is it what Disabled People need right now?

There is an absence of a DPO-informed voice on respite, which is needed to inform future policy development and models of investment to meet the needs of Disabled People under the UNCRPD.

The purpose of this discussion is to enable disabled people to share their lived experience of respite, what they experience was like, their reasons for accessing respite and what role respite could play for Disabled People.

This discussion will take place on Tuesday 11th November at 10:30am on Zoom. If you want to be involved email info@ilmi.ie to register

IMAGE: poster with serene forest backdrop and text detailed in post

26/10/2025

Dublin People:
(Details in original post)

Dublin DPO

Disabled people only. Dublin DPO is holding an in-person workshop on Tues 4th November from 10am to 1pm at the Carmelite Centre, Aungier Street, Dublin 2.

This is your chance to meet other disabled people, share experiences, build your confidence as an activist and explore how we are stronger when we work together for change.
For more information, email Peter at peterkearns@ilmi.ie

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26/10/2025

Don't miss the next installment of the ILMI chat about our experiences as we age. The next session on November 5th is about personal finances.

Poster details:
Poster in the ILMI colours with a light blue background. In the top left the heading in white letters reads: "Where Ableism Meets Ageism" Next to it in the top right corner is the ILMI logo which features half a yellow sun above a curved blue horizon with "ILMI" beneath it. A white box outlined in yellow across the middle has the words: "Six online workshops for disabled people about getting older in an ableist society: tell us what you think and help develop strategies for change." There is a white box in the bottom left which uses the sun and horizon image from the ILMI logo and has the words "Session Five: Personal Finances" beneath. A white box in the lower right has the words: "Wednesday, November 5th, 11 am - 12:30 pm." Beneath that, in the bottom right coner, white text against the light blue background reads: "Zoom link email: pippablack@ilmi.ie"

Where Ableism Meets Ageism

Six online workshops for disabled people about getting older in an ableist society: tell us what you think and help develop strategies for change

Session Five:
Personal Finances

Wednesday November 5th
11 am - 12:30 pm

To get the Zoom link please email:
pippablack@ilmi.ie

IMAGE: poster with text detailed in post

26/10/2025

The latest from ILMI:

ILMI eBulletin 24th October 2025

In this Issue:

National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2030
Tipperary DPO
Video Project
WIDE Framework Launch
Ableism Meets Ageism
Respite and disabled people
Cork DPO Night time Economy
LinkedIn
Dublin DPO
ESRI Survey
AD4E

On This Link: https://mailchi.mp/885f37601cc5/ilmi-ebulletin-2nd-of-october-14766253?e=[UNIQID]



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26/10/2025

Black history month is still with us. Let us introduce you to transgender and disability activist Jazzie Collins, who fought for economic equality. She helped found Qu**rs for Economic Equality Now (QUEEN). You can learn more about her work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXXvYnd5DRw

20/10/2025

Would you like to know more about the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People?? Please join what promises to be a very interesting participatory session tomorrow at 11am on Zoom. Email info@ilmi.ie to register

Gentle Reminder Folks: LAST FEW PLACES - HURRY!!

ILMI discussion space on the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People

Wednesday 3rd September saw the launch of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2030.

This landmark strategy outlines five key pillars: Education, Employment, Independent Living and Participation, Wellbeing and Health, and Transport and Mobility. ILMI especially welcomes the strong focus on Independent Living, which recognises the right of disabled people to live with choice, control, and freedom in their own communities.

The development of the Strategy involved considerable engagement from national DPOs over the last 18 months, but what does the Strategy say and what impact will it have?

ILMI will host a participative workshop on what is in the strategy, how it will be implemented and the role of national and local DPOs in driving the process.

This workshop will take place on Zoom at 11am Tomorrow Tuesday the 21st of October.

To register for this discussion, email info@ilmi.ie
Disabled People only from anywhere in the country are welcome to attend.


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15/10/2025

Today is Lámh Day. Yesterday, Pippa met with Edel and Tim for an introduction to Lámh. Tim taught us a few useful signs including how to sign "I want to learn more Lámh".

For more information about lámh, visit: https://www.lamh.org/signing/l%C3%A1mh-day-15th-october-2025

12/10/2025

Great piece in the Weekender about us.

THE Sligo Dis­abled Per­sons' Organ­isa­tion (DPO) was set up in 2022. It is run by dis­abled people for dis­abled people and it takes a human rights approach to social inclu­sion using the social model of dis­ab­il­ity. The organ­isa­tion, which has...

12/10/2025

PPNs are a vital part of participative and deliberative democracy and a close relationship between DPOs and PPNs can be an important part of ensuring disabled people are meaningfully engaged by the Council in the decisions, plans and policies that affect us.

Meath DPO builds strong connection with Meath Public Participation Network

Members of Meath DPO recently met with the Meath Public Participation Network (PPN) to strengthen collaboration and build a shared understanding of how disabled people can shape local decision-making. The meeting, coordinated with Nicky McDonnell, PPN Coordinator, was an important step in developing a strong, ongoing relationship between the DPO and the PPN.

PPNs play a key role in giving communities a voice in local government. They bring together groups from across the county to influence policy and ensure that decisions reflect the lived experiences of those most affected. For disabled people, this connection is vital. Through the social model of disability and the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Meath DPO members are clear that participation must go beyond consultation, it must be about co-creation and equality.

By working together, Meath DPO and the PPN are building a foundation for real inclusion, where disabled people are recognised as leaders and partners in shaping the community they live in. The ongoing collaboration will ensure that the voices of disabled people in Meath continue to be heard, respected, and acted upon.

IMAGE; Photo shows members of the Meath DPO around a table

Meath Public Participation Network Meath Chronicle

12/10/2025

ILMI Ableism Meets Ageism Series: Session 4 – Health

Our latest discussion focused on access to health care as we age. Disabled people shared experiences of not being respected or recognised as the experts in our own health, whether that means wanting more, less, or maintenance of medication or treatment.

Members highlighted that those of us with mental health or intellectual impairment labels often face even greater barriers to being believed and respected about our own health needs. Respect tends to diminish with age, as we are repeatedly asked to prove our competency before our voices are heard.

There is both a habit of blaming everything on our impairments and another of ignoring them entirely as possible contributing factors. We want to be treated as whole people, listened to and respected. Our autonomy to accept or refuse medical treatment should be recognised at every age.

The group agreed there is an urgent need for disability equality training for medical professionals, embedded from the earliest stage of their education and refreshed regularly, just like manual handling training. There is also a clear need for more disability equality training within our own community and stronger peer support, as many disabled people feel disempowered by the medical system.

We recognise that bringing a social model and human rights approach into health care is a challenge, but it must start by questioning what professionals mean by terms such as collaboration, patient centred care, and “right care, right time, right place.” These concepts do not yet reflect what they mean to us as disabled people.



IMAGE: Zoom screenshot of participants