Autism Friendly Sligo

17/10/2026

An exciting opportunity for Disabled People (including neurodivergent people) living in Sligo. A chance to meet new people, get a tablet and any training you might need to use it and take the chance to learn about your rights and active citizenship. After that that it's up to you. We know Sligo DPO would love to have more people involved in collective advocacy :-)

Are you a disabled person living in Sligo aged 16 or over ??

Well we have great news to share with you!!

Disability Action Northern Ireland in partnership with Independent Living Movement Ireland ,the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Supporting Communities

brings you......ONSIDE Evolution!!

ONSIDE Evolution is an exciting cross-border project funded by the EU PEACEPLUS available to disabled people 16+ living in Leitrim Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and right here in Sligo.

Our Aisling will be working away with disabled people on this programme here in Sligo over the next 3 years.
Through ONSIDE Evolution, disabled people can avail of:

A FREE tablet . (Subject to participation requirememt on the course).

You will receive 6 weeks of digital skills training to build online confidence, independence, and safety.

You will learn about your rights and Disability Equality and become more active in your local community.

It will be a chance to meet other disabled people, connect , make friends and talk about the issues that matter to you.

If this sounds like something that you would be interested in , Aising would love to hear from you and have you on board for this exciting oppurtunity !!

Contact Aisling Smith on [email protected] or 0870978534 for more information.

Image description

Image of a poster advertising the project the background of the poster is turquoise green. ONSIDE It includes the Slogan "Nothing About Use Without Us".

The headline in white text reads: "Disabled People Connecting, Building Skills and Creating Change"

Underneath this in white lettering It says that ONSIDE Evolution brings disabled people together across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth

Underneath this in white text it says:

Meet and connect with other disabled people.

Build your digital skills and confidence.

Take part in training and peer activities

Get involved in your local community.

Learn about your rights.

Share what matters to disabled people Build a stronger collective voice for change

It then says Come along and see where it leads with Aisling's contact details in a white box in the right hand corner

16/10/2026

Sligo DPO response to Budget 2027:

Here is our official Budget 2027 Press Release

Sligo Disabled Persons’ Organisation (DPO) welcomes Cost of Disability Payment but says disabled people must shape what comes next

Sligo DPO has welcomed the introduction of the new Cost of Disability Payment announced in Budget 2027 and, importantly, the Government’s commitment that the development of the permanent payment will be co-designed with disabled people.

The €500 payment is due to be paid in 2027, with a permanent annual Cost of Disability Payment planned from 2028.

Ruth Flood, Chair of Sligo DPO said:

“We welcome the cost of disability payment as an important recognition that disabled people face additional costs in their lives due to the barriers we face in society. We are realistic that there are serious limitations to a once off payment that excludes working and Older Disabled People on pensions and we need to be honest that many of our members won’t feel much benefit from this, if any.

We welcome the government promise of a permanent annual cost of disability payment to be co-designed with disabled people. It’s extremely important any cost of disability payment is designed with disabled people through our representative Disabled Persons Organisations, or it won’t meaningfully meet our needs. To properly address the cost of disability in a wider cost of living crisis we need an inclusive social welfare payment as part of a holistic response, which ensures accessible and affordable housing, healthcare, transport, education and employment supports that don't penalise us for working.”

Sligo DPO has also expressed disappointment that Budget 2027 does not address the means testing of disability payments against the income of a spouse or partner.

Hannah Gilroy, Treasurer of Sligo DPO, said:

“The means testing of partner/spouse income is a particular hardship imposed not only on the disabled person, but also their partner/spouse and has implications for the wider family unit. Disabled people should not have to make a choice between love and companionship or financial security. We will continue to advocate for meaningful change.”

The DPO has also welcomed the increase in Communication Support and Irish Sign Language support hours available through the Work and Access scheme.

However, Sligo DPO believes consideration should also be given to providing DPOs with access to dedicated ISL support, such as an ISL voucher scheme, to enable Deaf people to participate fully in the work of their local DPO.

Aisling Smith, Secretary of Sligo DPO said:

“Under the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People, the state is obliged to consult with disabled people through our DPOs in all issues that impact us. DPOs strive to be an inclusive space where Disabled People feel heard by like-minded people.

It is essential that DPOs are resourced to be that inclusive space. Society creates barriers that disable people already, without DPO's also having barriers through lack of resources. This is not just a question of money or funding. It’s about the State leading by example and demonstrating a real commitment to including all members of society as equal citizens”

Sligo DPO said the next stage of developing the permanent Cost of Disability Payment must involve meaningful engagement with DPOs and disabled people from the beginning.

Image of Sligo DPO at a meeting.

16/10/2026

💜 OUR PLEDGE IS HERE — NOW WE NEED YOU! 💜

Today, Every Child Matters – Disability Services Campaign is sharing our pledge for Ireland’s children with disabilities.

We have sent this pledge to every TD and Senator in Ireland, and we are delighted that some representatives have already returned signed copies. 💜

But now we need to make our message clear: we are not looking for another referral, another promise or another politician passing responsibility to the relevant Minister.

We need our elected representatives to take responsibility, stand behind these commitments and SIGN THE PLEDGE THEMSELVES.

We need full party support. We need every political party to stand with children with disabilities and their families and commit to real, meaningful change.

📢 HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

💜 SHARE this post far and wide.
🏛️ SEND the pledge directly to your local TDs, Senators and County Councillors.
📣 TAG political parties, party leaders and local representatives.
✍️ ASK THEM TO SIGN AND RETURN THE PLEDGE.
🤝 Ask your representatives to bring their entire party behind these commitments.

Our children have spent years waiting for essential services. Families are exhausted from fighting a system that too often leaves them without the support they need.

We need timely access to services, proper staffing and resources, stronger disability rights, accountability and meaningful reform.

Passing responsibility from one person to another is not action. Referring our concerns elsewhere is not a commitment.

We want politicians to stand up, take responsibility and show families that they are prepared to fight for change.

This is not about party politics. It is about children's rights, their futures and the support they deserve.

💜 We need every party. We need every representative. We need real commitment, not another handover.

Please share this pledge, send it to your local representatives and ask them one simple question:

WILL YOU SIGN IT?

Our children cannot wait any longer.

💜 Every Child Matters. Every Child Deserves Better. 💜

14/10/2026

Thank you to the Students of St John's National School and happy Lámh day.

06/10/2026

As a PPN Member Group, we are again in a position to offer our members and champions free Disability Equality Training from the Sligo Disabled Persons' Organisation. Our committee took this training last year and we would recommend it.

The training will take place from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm this Sunday (11 October) in the Riverside Hotel in Sligo. The PPN is providing lunch so if you want to go please email [email protected] and let them know your dietary requirements

05/10/2026

Great to see this idea!

WE NEED YOUR HELP 💙

We’re looking at introducing a dedicated sensory-friendly session at Funnybones, and before we go ahead, we’d really love to hear from local families.

The idea would be to start with one Sunday morning each month, from 10–11:30am, with:

✨ Reduced capacity to allow for a quieter environment
✨ A dedicated session for children with autism and their families
✨ Keeping the centre as low-stimulation as possible throughout the session

We know Funnybones is a children’s play centre, so we can’t promise a completely quiet environment. But we would make every effort to create a calmer, more comfortable environment for children who may find our usual busy sessions overwhelming.

If there was enough interest, we could also look at introducing birthday parties during these sessions, providing an option for children who would prefer a lower-stimulation environment for their special day.

💙 So, we want to hear from you.

Would this be something your family would be interested in? Would a Sunday morning session like this make visiting Funnybones more accessible or comfortable for your child?

Please comment below or send us a DM!

Your feedback will help us decide whether this is something we should introduce. 💙

29/08/2026

It was fantastic to see the visual guides up and running in the Sligo County Library yesterday. They wisely invited our colleagues in the Sligo Disabled Person's Organisation - DPO to do an accessibility audit. Ultan has been part of our work since our very first public meeting when he told us all about the library's Sense-Ability Toy and Sensory Resource Collection, which offers a chance to play test resources before choosing which, if any to purchase. We can't wait to visit the Ballymote branch where Ultan can show off the sensory room and the Tubbercurry branch, which has the My Open Library, that lets members access the library from 8am to 10pm every day whether it is staffed or not.

A big thank you to Ultan from Sligo County Library for inviting us to have a look around and a chat about accessibility in the Sligo Central branch in Stephen Street. We look forward to doing the same in other branches around the County.

21/08/2026

Neurodivergent people (diagnosed on not) are very welcome to join the Sligo Disabled Person's Organisation - DPO The DPO runs on the social model of disability, we are disabled on account of the many barriers we face that prevent us from being treated equally or included in society. Barrier removal for autistic people is the core work of the Autism Friendly Committee and we are proud to be advised by a rep of the Sligo DPO on our committee. Why not drop in a meet the DPO in a social setting next Friday (August 28th from 6 - 9 pm n the AV room in the Avalon Centre).

Event poster has a background in our standard neon pink In the background are black line drawings of chips, burger, soft drink, pizza and popcorn. In the foreground is a roll of film with three forward-facing panes. The top pane has the Sligo DPO logo. The middle and largest pane says "Movie Night". The bottom pane says "Avalon Centre, Friday, 28 August, 6 to 9 pm"

Next Social:

We are having a movie night in the Avalon Centre (Chapel Street, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo) from 6 to 9 pm on Friday August 28th. Members and other disabled people over 16 with lived experience in County Sligo are all welcome. You can also bring a plus one (not counting a PA -- PAs are always welcome)

Event poster has a background in our standard neon pink In the background are black line drawings of chips, burger, soft drink, pizza and popcorn. In the foreground is a roll of film with three forward-facing panes. The top pane has the Sligo DPO logo. The middle and largest pane says "Movie Night". The bottom pane says "Avalon Centre, Friday, 28 August, 6 to 9 pm"

20/07/2026

*Your County, Your Safety*

Calling all neurodivergent people aged 12 years and over.

Please let us know what makes you feel safe or unsafe in County Sligo.

Remember that the Sligo County Council takes a social model approach to disability. You know if you are neurodivergent, whether you have an official diagnosis or not, please let us know (question 30 on the survey) so that we can better understand the needs of our neurodivergent community.

Please either use the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SligoLCSP26

Or pop in to one of the public consultations:

Tubbercurry Library, Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry 24.07.2026 11am - 1pm

Ballymote Community Library, Ballymote 24.07.2026 2pm -4pm

Dromore West Community Centre 27.07.2026 5pm - 7pm

Grange Community Hall, Grange 17.08.2026 5pm - 7pm

Sligo Central Library, Stephen St, Sligo 18.08.2026 11am - 1pm

Teeling Centre, Collooney 19.08.2026 5pm - 7 pm

Sligo Northside Community Centre, Forthill, Sligo 27.08.2026 5pm - 7 pm

18/07/2026

Our sensory space is all set up at the Sligo County Agricultural Show (Riverstown). We are in the changing rooms in the main car park. There is a shuttle bus between here and the show. Pop in and say hi or come inside and chill for a bit.

Image description in the captions.