Disability Matters is a weekly radio programme from Blanchardstown Center for Independent Living, airing every Thursday on Phoenix 92.5FM. In our interviews, Patrick O’Donnell and John Comiskey speak with activists, experts, and people with lived experience on a wide range of disability-related topics — from healthcare and education to employment, access, and inclusion. These conversations amplify real voices, share practical insights, and highlight the issues that matter to the disability community in Ireland today.
In this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey sits down with Fiona O’Driscoll, Regional Patient and Service User Engagement Lead for the HSE Dublin & North East. In an insightful conversation, Fiona explains how the HSE is reshaping healthcare by placing patients, service users, carers, and advocacy organisations at the centre of decision-making. […]
In this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey sits down with Sharon Lane, Chief Executive Officer of Dyspraxia Ireland, for an in-depth conversation about developmental coordination disorder (DCD) — more commonly known as dyspraxia — and the supports available to children, adults, and families across Ireland. Warm, engaging, and deeply informative, Sharon offers
Dyspraxia Awareness: Moving Beyond Labels and Misconceptions – Sharon Lane Read More »
In our latest Disability Matters episode, John Comiskey speaks with Emma Clarke Conway, Operations Manager at Polio Survivors Ireland, and Mick Keegan, who shares his personal journey from childhood polio to living with post-polio syndrome. This insightful conversation explores the history of polio in Ireland, the long-term challenges survivors face, and the vital supports offered by the organisation. A must-listen for anyone interested in health, disability rights, and community support.
Mindfulness teacher Dominic Cogan joins John to discuss self-compassion, overcoming anxiety, and practical tools for meeting life’s challenges with kindness.
On this week’s programme, Patrick O’Donnell sits down with Angela Clayton-Lee, CEO of Cancer Trials Ireland, the national organisation responsible for coordinating cancer clinical trials across the country. With decades of work behind it — and an urgent call for increased government investment — Cancer Trials Ireland is working to expand access to new treatments
“Improving Cancer Care Through Research” — Angela Clayton-Lee of Cancer Trials Ireland Read More »
On this week’s episode of Disability Matters, John Comiskey sits down with Sinéad Hayes, a Community Officer with Fingal County Council. Although she joined the Community Development Office only four months ago, Sinéad is already deeply involved in county-wide projects and community engagement — including Fingal Inclusion Week. Starting in Community Development Sinéad laughs when
More Than 80 Ways to Get Involved: Sinéad Hayes about Fingal Inclusion Week 2025 Read More »
On this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey speaks with Sinéad Crawley, National Service Manager, and Sara Prodoni, Training & Employment Facilitator, from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABII). They discuss the causes of acquired brain injury, the life-changing impact it can have, and the vital supports ABII provides to survivors and their families.
This week on Disability Matters, John Comiskey speaks with Reinhard Schäler, CEO and founder of the SAOL Foundation, an organisation created out of one family’s determination to change what support looks like for people living with severe acquired brain injury (sABI) in Ireland. A Family Story That Sparked a National Conversation Reinhard’s son, Padraig, had
An interview with Dawn on Disability Matters, hosted by John Comiskey On this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey speaks with Dawn — a woman whose courage, honesty, and resilience offer hope to anyone facing mental health challenges. Dawn shares her story under a first name only, not for anonymity, but to protect
Shane Rothwell speaks to Disability Matters about the lack of accessible hoists in Irish hotels On this week’s Disability Matters, host John Comiskey spoke with long-time BCIL friend Shane Rothwell, who highlighted a barrier thousands of disabled people in Ireland know too well: the near-total absence of hotel rooms with ceiling hoists. Shane needs a
“A Ceiling Hoist Shouldn’t Be a Luxury”: Shane Calls for Equal Access in Irish Hotels Read More »
