Childhood disability congress launches campaign for inclusion and positive change

A nationwide call has been launched asking clubs, businesses, schools and community organisations and groups to join the #Every1Counts initiative and make one positive change for people with disabilities.

The campaign is being undertaken ahead of the annual European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD) Congress which is hosted by University of Galway from June 3^rd to 6^th in partnership with Enable Ireland, Central Remedial Clinic and Children’s Health Ireland.

The mission of #Every1Counts is to promote and strengthen the efforts of individuals, clubs, and organisations across Ireland to include people with childhood-onset disabilities, by making one meaningful and practical change to improve inclusion.

Dr Hazel Killeen, President of the EACD Annual Congress 2026, and Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy, University of Galway, said: “It is very important to all of us to be included equally with our peers. Communities all over the country are making great efforts to make that a reality for people with all levels of ability. With that energy in mind, we are launching an important call to action as part of EACD 2026 - we are asking every club, business, school and community in Ireland to make one positive change for people with disabilities. This is about one action now in the lead up to the congress rather than in dreaming of big things to do out in the future.

“You may think one change in your club may not make a huge difference but collectively around Ireland we can make a powerful change, demonstrating with clear action that #Every1Counts.”

The deadline for submitting #Every1Counts initiatives is Wednesday, June 3^rd with submissions made on https://www.eacd2026.com/get-involved

A number of initiatives which have already been taken have been highlighted as a means to inspire communities to take up the call to action:

• Ability West and Connacht Rugby are running Camp Ability, inclusive rugby summer camps in Galway for children with intellectual disabilities.
• Tallaght Athletics Club in Dublin has become the first in Ireland to integrate Frame Running, an international adaptive sport and recreational activity for people with limited mobility.
• Reels on Wheels is offering céilí dancing for wheelchair users in Limerick.
  
  

Awards for the best initiatives will be presented during the EACD congress.

The theme of the congress is ‘Mol an Óige agus Tiochfaidh Siad’ - Encourage the young, and they will flourish.

The programme includes an Experience Village, which runs alongside the four-day congress and offers a showcase of inclusive sports, adapted water sports, accessible gaming and personalised creativity, led by organisations and charities all over Ireland. These include:

• Adapted surfing demos and try-outs and Swim Ireland's Para Athlete Support Programme - hosted by West Coast Surfing, Liquid Therapy Donegal, and Swim Ireland
• Frame Running demos and come try sessions - hosted by Enable Ireland and frame.runningireland
• Accessible Gaming Arcade - hosted by Enable Ireland’s National and Regional Assistive Technology Services
• Wheelchair Hurling exhibition match and come try session​ - hosted by Enable Ireland and Connacht GAA for All in collaboration with Munster GAA for All
• Reels on Wheels Ceilí Dancing - hosted by AllIrishDance
• Para Rowing – hosted by Paralympian, Katie O’Brien, Paralympic Rowing Ireland Coaches and Get Going Get Rowing
• Make your own tools: Intro to 3D design – hosted by University of Galway’s MakerSpace
• Inclusive Mobile Cycling Hub – hosted by Variety Ireland

Margaret McGrath, Children Disability Network Manager, Enable Ireland, said: “I’m truly excited that this co-designed experience village brings together lived experience and expert knowledge to create something special. We invite everyone to come along and discover new experiences in sports, gaming, and personalised creativity. It will also be a great opportunity to learn about the incredible work of organisations, clubs, and individuals across Ireland who are championing inclusion and participation for people with disabilities and to become part of it.”

Rory O’Sullivan, Head of Strategy & Innovation, Central Remedial Clinic, said: “At CRC, we are proud to support EACD 2026 and the #Every1Counts Hub, which so clearly reflects our shared commitment to inclusion, participation, and empowering people with disabilities to reach their full potential. The call for every organisation, club, and community to make one meaningful change is both practical and powerful, real inclusion is built through everyday actions. This initiative aligns strongly with our strategy to enable access and opportunity across the lifespan, and we encourage all partners to play their part in creating communities where every child and young person can flourish.”

            Dr Aoife Mahony, Consultant in Paediatric Neurodisability, Childrens Health Ireland, said: “Healthcare extends beyond clinical settings — it is also about ensuring children and young people can fully participate in their schools, sports clubs, communities, and everyday lives. The Every1Counts Hub highlights the collective responsibility we all share in creating a more inclusive Ireland. We are delighted to support EACD 2026 in these exciting initiatives that empower children with disabilities to thrive.”

Along with a cutting-edge scientific programme, Fáilte Ireland is partnering with EACD 2026, using its new social impact framework, to help measure the impact of the Every1Counts initiative over time.

This collaboration supports Ireland’s Business Events Strategy 2030, which positions international conferences hosted in Ireland as catalysts for social change, and long-term legacy.

Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development, Fáilte Ireland, said: “Fáilte Ireland is delighted to welcome the EACD Congress 2026 to Galway this June. We are proud to partner with EACD on an intentional impact project, designed to define and measure the social impact of the conference. This collaboration supports Ireland’s Business Events Strategy 2030, which positions international conferences hosted in Ireland as catalysts for social change, and long-term legacy.”

More information about the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD 2026) Congress is available at https://www.eacd2026.com/.

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