This is part of our Community Spotlight series, highlighting the many wonderful resources, community and advocacy groups available across Ireland.
At MCS Case Management, we believe that meaningful support often comes from a wider network of organisations, campaigns and communities. We know how much the families and individuals we work with need community, and time spent with others that face the same challenges they do.
Inclusion Ireland works towards a more inclusive Ireland for people with intellectual disabilities. We wanted to share some of this work with families, professionals and anyone in our network who may find it useful.
Have Your Say
Budget 2027
Budget 2027 will be announced on 6th October, Inclusion Ireland are looking for people with intellectual disabilities, along with their families and supporters, to have their voices heard before decisions are made about Budget 2027. The upcoming budget will be announced on 6th October.
Take a look here at ways to contact your local TD and template letters, plus a campaign guide and further guidance.
Irish Government’s Response to the UN on Disability Supports
On 11th August, the Irish Government responded to the United Nations regarding how it supports disabled people, outlining plans such as the National Human Rights Strategy. Inclusion Ireland has highlighted that these plans are not currently protected by law, meaning promises could go unfulfilled without legislative backing.
Over the coming months, Inclusion Ireland will publish its own response, working with self-advocates to assess what has improved and what still needs to change. The big push is a call for the Disability Act 2008 to be brought in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
You can read the full Government response on gov.ie
New Podcast: The Right to Ordinary
Prefer to listen? Inclusion Ireland are hosting a brand new podcast: The Right to Ordinary, hosted by CEO Derval McDonagh. The series brings together guests with lived experience and different perspectives for honest, practical conversations about the issues that matter most to people with intellectual disabilities, their families and supporters.
You can listen on the Inclusion Ireland website or wherever you get your podcasts.
‘Speak Up, Speak Out!’ Update
In October 2025, Inclusion Ireland partnered with the HSE to deliver the first training phase of the SUSO! programme – a self-assertiveness programme for disabled people, co-designed with disabled people and advocacy workers. In total, 160 staff from 54 disability service providers nationwide completed the training.
The initiative’s second phase is now supporting participating organisations to embed advocacy more strategically. As an organisation that works hard to ensure individuals can make decisions about their own life and care we see this as particularly exciting. This is a great programme to follow for insight and outcomes to embed into your own practice working with disabled people.
Inclusive Living Network’s In Conversation Series
We hadn’t heard about this series, but it seems like an invaluable resource!
This series offers people supporting a loved one with an intellectual disability a space to learn, connect and share experiences, facilitated by family members of the Inclusive Living Network – Key to a Good Life. It’s designed for anyone navigating a new pathway, such as a transition from school, a move into employment or their own home, or setting up a personalised budget.
To find out more, visit the In Conversation Series website.
At MCS Case Management, we’re glad to help highlight the work of organisations like Inclusion Ireland who champion the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. If you have any questions about how case management can support you or someone you know, please get in touch.
Inclusion Ireland: www.inclusionireland.ie