We recently had the chance to sit down with some of the amazing people behind Enable Ireland’s virtual service—a growing and powerful initiative that’s changing the way we think about disability supports in Ireland. In this episode of Disability Matters John Comiskey speaks with Jason, Valerie, and Pádraig, three passionate people who’ve helped build something truly special.
So what is Enable Ireland, and what do they do?
Jason explains:
“Enable Ireland provides services to over 13,000 children and adults across the country. That includes therapy, clinical supports, day and residential services, family support, and more. We’re also patrons of two special schools and run a number of preschools. Our focus is from childhood right through to adulthood, supporting each person with a plan tailored for every life stage.”
Originally set up to support people with physical disabilities, Enable has grown to include people with intellectual and sensory disabilities as well. And they’ve evolved with the times—in more ways than one.
The Virtual Service: Born Out of Necessity
When COVID-19 hit, like many other organisations, Enable Ireland had to adapt quickly.
Jason remembers:
“We had no choice but to close down physical services, so within two weeks, we launched a virtual service for adults in the Dublin CHO6 area. Microsoft helped us scale up, and now we deliver to people all over Ireland.”
What started as a “stopgap” solution became something much bigger. The virtual service is now a permanent fixture—a way for people who can’t access services in person to stay connected, learn, and advocate for themselves and others.
Valerie: From School to Screen—and Thriving
Valerie, who works as a Virtual Service Support Worker, has been with Enable Ireland nearly her whole life.
“I did my schooling through Enable. Then in 2000, I started working as a receptionist at the Dun Laoghaire Hub. In 2021, I moved into the virtual team—and I love it!”
She’s especially proud of how far the service has come. From keeping people connected during lockdown, it now hosts webinars on smart home tech, health, human rights, and more.
“We even had people join from Australia and America! It just shows how much interest and need is out there.”
Pádraig: Making Accessible Voting and Housing Understandable
Pádraig joined Enable Ireland in 2010 and now plays a big part in education and awareness.
“We host sessions on accessible voting, housing rights, and the national budget. A lot of people don’t realise that there’s an accessibility officer at each polling station who can help you vote. I only found that out myself a few years ago.”
He also hosts regular Easy-to-Read sessions to help break down complex topics into plain, inclusive language.
“We use podcasts, videos, step-by-step visuals—whatever helps make the info more accessible. Because at the end of the day, everyone deserves to understand their rights.”
A Growing Team—and Growing Confidence
One of the most exciting outcomes of the virtual service is employment. Enable Ireland has hired 12 service owners (that’s what Enable calls people who use adult services) to co-design, develop, and deliver content.
Jason beams with pride:
“People like Val and Pádraig lead sessions, create materials, and speak at national and international conferences. We’ve presented to the UN, hosted 200+ person webinars, and even spoke at events in Italy. That’s huge!”
What’s grown isn’t just the service—but the confidence and skills of the people behind it.
“Back in the day, we were nervous speaking to guests. Now we don’t bat an eyelid,” Valerie laughs.
So What’s Next?
Enable Ireland is working with the HSE on a scoping exercise to assess demand for virtual services across Ireland.
With 600,000 people with disabilities in the country—but only a fraction receiving day services—there’s a clear need for more flexible, inclusive solutions.
“Some people can’t—or choose not to—attend a physical hub,” Jason says. “Virtual services could fill that gap.”
“We Want the Service to Thrive”
When asked what they hope for the future, Valerie sums it up beautifully:
“I just want to help people. And I know we are. I see the impact every day.”
And Jason agrees:
“Enable Ireland is all about helping people live the lives they choose. That’s the heart of everything we do.”
📢 Want to learn more about Enable Ireland’s virtual services or get involved? Visit www.enableireland.ie or follow their updates across social media.
Disability Matters airs every Thursday at 4PM on Phoenix 92.5FM, with repeats on Monday at 3PM and Tuesday at 7AM & 3PM. Podcast available after each show on Mixcloud and on bcil.ie/radio.