education

Johnny Sheehan, Member Engagement Manager with The Wheel - a man with short hair smiles warmly, wearing a dark zip sweater over a collared shirt. The black-and-white image has a neutral background.

Community at the Heart of Change — Inside The Wheel with Johnny Sheehan

Interviews Disability Matters /

Johnny Sheehan of The Wheel on Advocacy, Funding and Collective Voice On Disability Matters, John Comiskey spoke with Johnny Sheehan, Member Engagement Manager with The Wheel — the national organisation representing community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises across Ireland. With more than 2,600 member organisations in every county, The Wheel serves as both […]

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A diverse group of people holds banners and signs reading "Rehab Group" and advocacy messages. They stand in front of an iron fence under tree shade, conveying unity and determination.

Empowerment, Education and Employment — Ciara Heffernan of Rehab Group

Interviews Disability Matters /

“Independence looks different for everyone — our role is to support each person’s own definition of it.” On Disability Matters, John Comiskey spoke with Ciara Heffernan, Senior Communications Officer with Rehab Group, about the organisation’s 75-year legacy, its nationwide reach, and its mission to empower people with disabilities to live, learn and work with confidence.

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Community, Resilience and Showing Up — Jessi Abbey, BCIL

Interviews Disability Matters /

On Disability Matters, Kirsten Ampeloquio spoke with Jessi Abbey Information Officer at Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living (BCIL), about her journey into the organisation, her lived experience of disability, and the importance of community, visibility and peer support. Jessi joined BCIL in November, stepping into a role focused on information, funding and community connection —

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A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiles softly, wearing a black top and pearl necklace. She sits in an office setting with a cabinet and banner.

Connecting Communities Through Volunteering: Ruth Bannon from Fingal Volunteer Centre

Interviews Disability Matters /

On a recent episode of Disability Matters on Phoenix FM, host John Comiskey spoke with Ruth Bannon, Outreach and Community Volunteer Officer with Fingal Volunteer Centre, about the power of volunteering, the wide range of opportunities available, and how volunteers and organisations can be supported to thrive together. What Does Fingal Volunteer Centre Do? Fingal

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A woman in a red jacket sits in a radio studio, speaking into a microphone. Behind her is a sign that reads “92.5 Phoenix FM.” The atmosphere is friendly.

Peer Support, Power and Belonging — Geraldine Rooney, BCIL

Interviews Disability Matters /

“We mightn’t change the world for everyone — but we can change the world for one person, one voice at a time.” — Geraldine Rooney, BCIL On Disability Matters, host Kirsten Ampeloquio spoke with Geraldine Rooney, Development Officer at Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living (BCIL), about the quiet but powerful impact of peer support, local

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Four people are in a virtual meeting with "Cystic Fibrosis Ireland" and "Rights" logos visible. They are wearing headsets, appearing focused and engaged.

Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland: Care, Community and the Fight for Fair Access to Life-Changing Medication

Interviews Disability Matters /

In a recent episode of Disability Matters, hosts John Comiskey and Patrick O’Donnell spoke with Emma Wallace, Member Services and Advocacy Senior Coordinator with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, and Louise Patterson, parent advocate and campaigner for equitable access to medication. Together, they explored what cystic fibrosis (CF) is, how it affects daily life, and why access

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Two women are seated beside a microphone. One wears a teal sweater and looks thoughtful, while the other in blue gestures, speaking animatedly. A radio station banner is in the background.

Creating Opportunities Through Inclusion: Active Disability Ireland on Making Sport for Everyone

Interviews Disability Matters /

In this episode of Disability Matters, hosts John Comiskey and Patrick O’Donnell were joined by Brenda O’Donnell, Interim CEO of Active Disability Ireland, and Stephanie Mac Sweeney, Sport Inclusion Coordinator, for an in-depth conversation about inclusion, physical activity, and building accessible pathways into sport for people with disabilities across Ireland. Active Disability Ireland, formerly known

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A split-screen video call shows two individuals. On the left, a woman smiles softly against an orange background with "Arthritis Ireland" text. On the right, a man wearing headphones, seen against a backdrop featuring "Phoenix FM" and the slogan "One Community, Many Voices!" Both appear engaged and professional.

Living Well with Arthritis: Support, Movement, and Self-Management – Tara Regan, Arthritis Ireland

Interviews Disability Matters /

Around 20% of people in Ireland live with arthritis, a figure expected to rise. In this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey speaks with Tara Regan, Communications and Advocacy Manager at Arthritis Ireland, about the realities of living with arthritis, the wide range of supports available, and why early information, self-management, and connection

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Collage of smiling people with colorful circles, featuring the Williams Syndrome Ireland logo in the center. The image conveys joy and community.

Understanding Williams Syndrome: Community, Advocacy, and Looking to the Future

Interviews Disability Matters /

In this episode of Disability Matters, John Comiskey speaks with Dearbhail Mullan, Treasurer of Williams Syndrome Ireland, alongside her son Ciarán, about living with Williams Syndrome, navigating diagnosis and services, and the vital role of community, advocacy, and support across the lifespan. Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000

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Dyspraxia Awareness: Moving Beyond Labels and Misconceptions – Sharon Lane

Interviews Disability Matters /

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

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