Disability Action Northern Ireland

12/10/2026

Introducing Disability Action's Disability-Informed Counselling Service

Over the last few days, we've been highlighting the importance of listening to disabled people, families and carers, and recognising how everyday experiences and barriers can affect mental wellbeing.

Today, we're pleased to introduce our new Disability-Informed Counselling Service.

For many disabled people, accessing counselling can mean spending time explaining their disability, accessibility needs and everyday experiences before they can focus on their mental wellbeing.

Our counsellors are trained in disability awareness and inclusion, helping to create a space where people feel understood and can focus on the support they need.

The service is also available to families and carers, recognising that they have their own experiences and wellbeing needs.

Guided by the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us, we want people to feel heard, respected and supported from the beginning.

Meaningful support starts with listening.

📩 To find out more about our counselling service, contact us at [email protected]

12/10/2026

🚐 It's CT Week 2026!

This week, we're joining organisations across the UK to recognise the important role community transport plays in people's everyday lives.

Through our Disability Action Transport Scheme (DATS), we help disabled people and older people who find public transport difficult to access local services, attend appointments, go shopping and stay connected with their communities.

Having access to suitable transport can make a real difference to someone's independence and ability to take part in everyday activities.

11/10/2026

Yesterday, we highlighted the importance of feeling included, connected, valued and heard.

But these needs extend to the families, carers and support networks around disabled people too.
Parents. Partners. Siblings. Carers. Family members.

Many spend their time advocating, navigating systems, managing uncertainty and supporting others, sometimes while putting their own wellbeing last.

Every experience is different, but the emotional challenges faced by families and carers can often go unrecognised.

At Disability Action, we believe that everyone's wellbeing matters.

Because families and carers have their own experiences, challenges and support needs that deserve to be recognised, understood and supported.

Everyone's experiences matter. Everyone deserves to feel heard.

10/10/2026

Feeling included. Feeling connected. Feeling valued.

Our mental wellbeing is shaped by our everyday experiences, relationships and the environments around us.

For many disabled people, barriers in society, discrimination and exclusion can have a significant impact on mental health.

Listening to lived experience helps us better understand these challenges and the support people need.

Whether you're a disabled person, a parent, a carer or a family member, your wellbeing matters and your experiences deserve to be heard and respected.

This World Mental Health Day, we're highlighting the importance of listening, understanding and ensuring disabled people have a say in the support they receive.

Because meaningful support starts with being heard.

09/10/2026

For many disabled people, accessing mental health support can mean first explaining their disability, accessibility needs and the barriers they face every day.

While understanding these experiences is important, too often valuable time can be spent providing context before meaningful support can begin.

As World Mental Health Day approaches, we're reflecting on what it means to feel understood, respected and heard.

Because when people's experiences are understood and valued, support can make a real difference.

09/10/2026

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: No child should go hungry during the school holidays.
At Disability Action, we know that disabled children and their families are often among those hardest hit by the rising cost of living. When schools close, many families face additional financial pressures, increased caring responsibilities and higher household costs.
That's why we're supporting calls for all political parties and MLAs to back Danny Baker MLA's Holiday Hunger Bill and reject amendments that could delay or weaken the support families urgently need.
Families need certainty, not delays.
✅ Sign the petition: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0y-c-C0

📄 Read the joint press release: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0y-cXg0
Together, we can help ensure that no child is left without support during school holidays.

Paul Givan's proposed amendments could leave families waiting indefinitely for holiday meal payments, even if the Bill becomes law. MLAs vote on Monday 12 October.

08/10/2026

📢 Final Reminder – ONSIDE Evolution Participant Launch!

Join us online on Monday 12 October at 11.30am to learn more about ONSIDE Evolution and how you can get involved!

📅 Monday 12 October 2026
🕒 11.30am
💻 Online event
🎟️ Register here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yY2Pt0

During the session, you'll find out:
- What ONSIDE Evolution is
- Who the project is for
- What support and opportunities are available
- How to get involved

Taking place as part of Good Relations Week 2026, this event reflects this year's theme, "INCLUDE – Include. Everyone. Everywhere. Every Day."

We'd love to have you join us!

08/10/2026

📢 Good Governance Training for Board Members

Are you a new, experienced or prospective board member of a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO)?

Join Disability Action's STRONG programme for a free online training session covering the essentials of good governance.

What will you learn?
✅ Legal responsibilities and key board roles
✅ Recruiting board members and identifying the skills your board needs
✅ Ensuring your board represents the people your organisation supports
✅ Identifying areas for improvement through a Governance Health Check

📅 Wednesday 14 October 2026
🕐 1pm–3pm
💻 Online via Zoom
🤟 BSL interpretation provided

The session is free for DANI network members, with unlimited places available.

🔗 Register here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yX_ct0

Not a DANI network member? Membership is free! To join or find out more, contact 📧 [email protected]

Please note that each participant must register individually in advance.

07/10/2026

📢 We're Hiring: Independent Advocate – Advocacy Services

Help people with learning disabilities have their voices heard, make informed choices and have greater control over decisions that affect their lives.

As an Independent Advocate, you'll support people to speak up for themselves and, when needed, represent their wishes and preferences on their behalf.

💰 £33,649.03 per annum
⏰ Various hours available (bank, Part Time, Full Time)
📍 Various locations with travel and support
required across Northern Ireland

⚠️ Applications close: Friday 23rd October 2026 at 12pm.

For more info and to apply, click here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yWtpc0

05/10/2026

Creative Lives is seeking new Trustees from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

If you have relevant strategic experience and an interest in supporting grassroots creativity, find out more in the post below.

Deadline: Wednesday 21 October 2026

Creative Lives is looking to recruit new Trustees with the skills, knowledge and strategic vision to support our organisation to thrive, with particular experience in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

We are ideally looking to hear from people with experience in creativity and cultural policy: people who have a strategic understanding of the landscape and levers for grassroots creativity across the island.

To find out more, please see: https://www.creative-lives.org/trustees-ireland-and-northern-ireland