Physical Impairment Ireland - PII

03/09/2026

For God's sake 🙄

Woman with cerebral palsy urges Electric Picnic to ‘do better’ on accessibility after she fell and broke nose

02/09/2026

Could self-employment be your next move?

Find out how we can help. Give yourself 2½ hours to find out what starting a business really involves.

Join our FREE Introduction to Start Your Own Business Course, online via Zoom on

📆 Tuesday 13 October from 6:30 –9:00pm.
💻 Online via Zoom

Get an overview of the basics, from choosing between sole trader and limited company, to tax and bookkeeping, digital marketing, and the LEO supports and grants that may be available.

This introductory session is a precursor to our full Start Your Own Business Course, making it a great place to begin if you’re still exploring whether entrepreneurship is right for you.

Register today:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/laois/training-events/online-bookings/t2652-introduction-to-start-your-own-business-course.html




Laois County Council
Laois Libraries
Connect Laois
Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

02/09/2026

Alone Laois is seeking Telephone Support and befriending Volunteer, do you have an hour once a week to spare and would like to help out an elderly person that is feeling isolated and in deed of a conversation. This role is for one hour a week, is completed remotely through an app on your phone (So your number is protected), if you would like more information or would like to apply for this volunteering opportunity please click the link
https://www.i-vol.ie/volunteer-opportunity/?ID=a00WS00000b8Ve3

Alone Laois is also seeking a visitation Support and Befriending Volunteers for the Laois area. If you can spare an hour a week to meet with an elderly person for a cup of tea and a nice chat, this role could be perfect for you. Full training is given for this role, Garda vetting is required but will be completed by the organisation. For more information or to apply please click the link
https://www.i-vol.ie/volunteer-opportunity/?ID=a00WS00000b8P5h

02/09/2026

The Neurological Alliance of Irelands advocacy campaign in the lead up to this year’s Budget, which takes place on October 6th, has focused on access to neurology and neurorehabilitation services in line with the commitments within the current Programme for Government.

What are NAI Calling For :
1) Investment in regional neurology services and specialist pathways for early diagnosis in line with the Programme for Government commitment to investment in neurology services.

2) Investment to complete the rollout of community neurorehabilitation teams in line with the commitment within the current Programme for Government.

Ourfull submission can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/mwh6y8ss

02/09/2026

Stop early bedtimes for disabled and older adults in Ireland against their wishes

02/09/2026

Ataxia Foundation Ireland is urging every person living with Friedreich's ataxia across Ireland to contact their neurologist now, so they are ready to access Skyclarys the moment the HSE rollout begins. Getting on file with your neurology team early means no delay once the medication pathway opens — and after the road this decision travelled to get here, that readiness matters more than ever.

But for now here is our latest blog where we look at some of the threads that came together to bring about the decision we all wanted this past week. Enjoy and share but remember to contact your neurologist first!

https://www.afi.ie/blog/why-the-science-finally-won-out-inside-the-decision-to-fund-skyclarys/

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Disabled festival-goers have criticised the Electric Picnic organisers’ move to reposition the main stage accessible viewing platform.

People in need of the accessible viewing platform have claimed the view of the stage was considerably worse than in previous years and that the area is subject to foul smells, as it is next to the main stage’s portable toilets.

However, managing director of Festival Republic, Melvin Benn, insisted the move made for better views for those in the accessible area.

Fionn Collins, who has been attending Electric Picnic and benefiting from access to the accessible facilities for a number of years, said the move has left an 'ill taste' in the mouths of the vulnerable community.

'I’m hard of hearing, so I’m very grateful that they have the Irish Sign Language interpreter here,' Collins said. 'But from my experience in previous years, the [accessible viewing platform] was directly in front of the main stage... From talking to people in the accessible campsite, a lot of people feel that they are being pushed aside.'

'I think having the accessible platform directly in line with the stage previously made them feel seen, it made them feel heard. And I think that’s really important, because a lot of us can’t have the life we want.'

Gillian Duffy, whose son Josh uses a motorised wheelchair, said the move has made the area very difficult to get in and out of.

'The accessible platform for the main stage is in the same place as always on the EP map, but now it is wedged between the toilets and the bar, making it very hard to get in or out of,' she said. 'The view is now similar to when you buy restricted tickets for a concert. It is so far away that you feel like you are watching a concert being attended, not actually attending it yourself.'

In a press conference on Sunday, Mr Benn said the view was no worse than in previous years, arguing that in fact, it was a better view. 'I’m really not sure why people think it’s a poorer view. Where it was previously, there was a huge, great delay tower right in the middle of your view from between the disabled platform and the stage and I’ve moved it so that the delay tower isn’t in view any more'

02/09/2026

TAP Air Portugal shattered a disabled traveler's new power wheelchair in transit to Lisbon, then made him wait two hours to find out.

02/09/2026

Portlaoise Meals on Wheels started in 2024 they are after putting in so much work and effort to get the organisation going in Portlaosie and it is now up and running but they need Volunteer drivers to help deliver these much needed meals to the elderly. If you can spare four hours a month, this would go such a long way with helping the organisation reach the people in need of this service. For more information or to apply please click the link below,

https://www.i-vol.ie/volunteer-opportunity/?ID=a00WS00000b8CtE

Portlaoise Meals on Wheels is also seeking Committee members for there board, the roles needed are Vice Chairperson, Vice Treasurer, Vice Secretary and a Public Relations Officer, Experience would be an advantage, for more information or to apply please click the link below,

https://www.i-vol.ie/volunteer-opportunity/?ID=a00WS00000WBmZx

Thank you