NDA Submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to inform its consultation on the Development of the Priorities and Policy Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026

Ahead of Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency in the second half of 2026, the NDA prepared a submission for the Department of Foreign Affairs on potential priorities. The NDA advised that the Irish Presidency support an ambitious revision of the existing European Disability Strategy, while also suggesting a focus on measures to reduce the disability employment gap, and to promote assistive technology and accessible housing. The NDA further proposed that the 8th International Universal Design Biennial Conference be recognised as an official event under Ireland’s EU Presidency. Finally, the NDA advised that universal design and accessibility should be a cross-cutting consideration for all EU Presidency-related events – both online and in-person.