2025 Annual Conference
The National Disability Authority’s 2025 Annual Conference considered the barriers faced by disabled people in realising their equal right to family life under Article 23 UNCRPD, and proposed solutions and good practices in supporting and empowering disabled people to have meaningful and healthy family lives and relationships. Topics which were explored included parenting, relationships and sexuality, maternity care and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Conference Programme
Download the full Conference Programme (Word doc)
'Meet the speakers' (Speakers' Information)
Download the full Meet the Speakers document (Word doc)
Download an Easy to Read version of the Meet the Speakers (PDF doc)
Publications relevant to conference theme
Review Paper on Article 3 UNCRPD
Experiences of Women with Disabilities in their Journey through Maternity Services in Ireland
Guidance for conducting collaborative research with people with disabilities
Conference Recordings
Introduction and Opening Addresses
Introduction, Dr Aideen Hartney, Director, National Disability Authority.
Welcome Address, Kathryn O’Donoghue, Chairperson, National Disability Authority.
Session 1: Parenting with a Disability
Chair: Gerard Brophy, Chief Social Worker, Tusla
Panellists:
- Professor Niamh Stack, Head of Department – Psychology, Mary Immaculate College
- Louise Milicevic, Learning and Development Administrator, Rehab Group, and Volunteer Parent Advocate and Member, Disabled Women of Ireland
- Professor Eilionóir Flynn, Established Professor at the School of Law and Director, Centre for Disability Law and Policy, University of Galway
- Niamh McCarthy, Head of Services: Parental Advocacy & Information Service, Barnardos
Ministerial Address
Hildegarde Naughton T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Session 2: Relationships and Sexuality
Chair: Suzy Byrne, Greater Dublin Regional Manager, National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities
Panellists:
- Jennie Williams, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Enhance the UK
- Nicole Lam, Guidance Development and Research Lead, National Disability Quality Improvement Team, Access & Integration, Disability Services, Health Service Executive
- Jack Kavanagh, Pharmacist, Speaker and Non-Executive Director
- Derval McDonagh, Chief Executive, Inclusion Ireland
Session 3: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Chair: Professor Rosie Gowran, Clinical Lead, National Clinical Programme for People with Disability, Clinical Design and Innovation, Health Service Executive
Panellists:
- Professor Philip Dodd, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health
- Sara Rocha, Vice-Chair, Women’s Committee, European Disability Forum and Vice-President, European Council of Autistic People
- Professor Michael Brown, Deputy Head of School of Nursing & Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast
- Fiona Weldon, Disabled Persons Organisations (DPO) Capacity Development Officer, Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI)
- Professor Margaret McGrath, Head of Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University College Cork
Session 4: Maternity Care
Chair: Linda O'Connor, Principal Officer, Maternity and Gynaecology Policy, Department of Health
Panellists:
- Dr Deirdre Daly, Professor in Midwifery in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
- Karen Henry, Midwife and Lecturer, University of Suffolk
- Dr Carly Cheevers, Senior Research Officer, National Disability Authority
- Dr Alison Harnett, Chief Executive Officer, National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers
Closing Address
Conference Close: Dr Aideen Hartney, Director, National Disability Authority.