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Dr Charles O’Mahony, School of Law, University of Galway, facilitated a workshop with the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers on the 17th of September 2026 to support the preparation of its submission to the Government’s review of the Disability Act 2005.

The workshop provided an opportunity for dialogue on priorities for reform and how the legislation can better give effect to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The discussion drew on The Disability Act 2005 at 21: Reflecting, Reforming, Reimagining, co-authored by Professor Shivaun Quinlivan and Dr O’Mahony with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Communicating Europe Initiative.  Launched at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in June, the report examines the Act’s operation and proposes a stronger rights-based framework, with effective enforcement and meaningful participation by disabled people in shaping reform. It is available as a resource for those preparing submissions.

The extended deadline for submissions is 5 pm on Friday, the 9th of October 2026.  The Department of Children, Disability and Equality welcomes contributions from disabled people, families and carers, Disabled Persons’ Organisations, representative organisations, service providers and others, with a range of accessible submission formats available.

Read the research report and find out how to make a submission.