Disability Network
This programme is resourced through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) which is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development & the Gaeltacht, and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027 www.eufunds.ie.
Bray & North Wicklow Area Partnership’s Disability Network offers a space for local disability groups to connect, share concerns, and take collective action to promote equal participation and address service gaps in the community.
Established in 2002, the Network is resourced by our SICAP programme. We meet quarterly, with hosting rotated among members. This approach allows us to become familiar with each member’s services and premises.
Network members include both staff members and service-users of local disability groups. Over the years, the Network has taken a range of positive actions, from policy work and research on important issues at local and national level, to addressing gaps in local services and initiating the setup of new services and projects.
Our Disability Network provides a forum to:
- Meet regularly, discuss common issues, support one another and work together more effectively
- Identify local service gaps and policy issues that need addressing
- Take joint action to promote the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in the local community
Inclusive Employers Event
With the aim of expanding local employment opportunities for people with disabilities, the Network , in collaboration with our IMPACT WorkAbility programme, hosted an Inclusive Employers Event in October 2025 at the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow.
The programme included a keynote address from a representative of Employers for Change, contributions from both employers and individuals in supported employment, and guidance on financial supports such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme. Designed as a comprehensive information hub, the event offered practical support for anyone seeking to create a more inclusive workplace.
Read more about our Inclusive Employers Event 2025
Advocacy Work
Other recent issues highlighted by the Network include lack of Changing Places facilities in our towns, barriers to getting onto the housing list and accessing housing, and accessibility to the beach.
Highlighting local issues has also prompted action at national level. For example, research carried out by the Network on the placement of young people with disabilities in nursing homes in the Bray & North Wicklow area was taken up by the Disability Federation of Ireland, who expanded the study nationwide and published The Situation of Younger People with Disabilities Living in Nursing Homes in Ireland in 2018. The issue later drew the attention of the Ombudsman, who published the report Wasted Lives in May 2021, setting out a series of recommendations.
Past Work
- Disability Awareness workshops in local schools, delivered by Network members and young people with disabilities
- Redevelopment and support of the Disability Bray website
- Disability Speed Lobbies of local and general election candidates
- Big Chat With Councillors event, with presentations on various issues by people with disabilities
- A meeting between people with disabilities and Wicklow County Council Housing staff to resolve barriers to housing list access and social housing.
- A collaboration with Wicklow Tourism where local young people who are wheelchair users made a video of their visit to accessible venues for a Wicklow Tourism vlog
- Inclusive Employers Event, Spring 2024
- Supporting initiatives such as Green Ribbon Time to Talk Day and the DFI’s Make Way Day
- Working with local disability activists on accessibility issues e.g. advocacy on beach access led councillors to allocate substantial funding for a feasibility study on making Bray beach more accessible.
- Input of local issues into the new Wicklow County Council Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee
Our Impact
Please watch the video below to learn more about the work of the network and some previous wins aith advocacy and beyond.
