Building an Inclusive Workplace: The Benefits of Disability Inclusion for Irish Employers
In today’s progressive business environment, fostering an inclusive workplace is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage. For Irish employers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, embracing disability inclusion can unlock numerous benefits ranging from enhanced team performance to improved brand reputation and increased access to talent. Beyond the ethical obligation […]
Why Disability Awareness Training is the first, and most crucial step toward inclusion
In recent months, a number of voices on LinkedIn and other platforms have expressed the view that disability awareness training is of limited value. Instead, they argue that companies should prioritise auditing their services, reviewing internal policies, or addressing physical accessibility barriers through audits. While these steps are undoubtedly vital in the journey toward disability […]
The Importance of Neurodiversity Awareness Training for Irish Employers
In today’s evolving workplace, diversity and inclusion are no longer just ideals-they’re essential components of successful and sustainable businesses. Among the most overlooked aspects of diversity is neurodiversity: the natural variation in how people think, process information, and interact with the world. Neurodiversity includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others. For Irish […]
Ireland – Progressing towards disability inclusion in 2025
In recent years, Ireland has made notable strides in recognising and promoting workplace disability inclusion, creating environments where individuals are increasingly valued for their unique capabilities. Embracing disability inclusion in the workplace is not only a legal and moral obligation but also a strategic business decision that can lead to a more diverse, innovative, and […]
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
So, what is neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is changing the way we understand human thinking and potential. This is done through challenging outdated ideas of what is ‘normal’ and embracing both the wide range of cognitive diversity and the different approaches people have to thinking, learning, and working. It basically refers to the diverse nature of the […]
90% grant funded Disability Equality Training for Not for Profit sector announced!
The Department of Social Protection has announced the launch of the Work & Access Scheme. This forward thinking scheme is replacing the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme which have both been in operation for a number of years in Ireland. This new scheme has been launched on foot of recommendations made […]
The L&D profession and the disability knowledge gap
When you hear the word ‘disability’, what do you think of? Most readers tend to think of the more traditional disabilities – a friend who has a physical disability, a colleague who is blind, a neighbour who has Down syndrome. But are you aware that disability also includes the following? Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, Long […]
What is a disability?
What do we mean when we hear the word ‘disability’? “Disability refers to a substantial impact in the capacity of a person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the state by reason of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment” Did you know that this definition includes the following? Multiple […]
Westmeath County Council complete Disability Awareness Training in 2023
Ability Focus has been Ireland’s leading provider of disability awareness training for over 4 years and during this period it’s been great to see more organisations consider disability awareness training as a key first step in creating disability inclusive workspaces. Through our award-winning disability awareness training programmes and our on-site training workshops Ability Focus have […]
Tifco Hotel Group complete Disability Awareness Training in 2023
Ability Focus is proud to be recognised as Ireland’s leading provider of disability awareness training and it’s great to see increasing numbers of businesses consider this training as a key first step in creating disability inclusive workplaces. Through our CPD accredited and L&DI Endorsed live online instructor led delivery as well as our on-site training […]