Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced over €1 million in funding for nine digital and assistive technology projects aimed at supporting people with sensory, cognitive, physical, and intellectual disabilities. The funding, provided through the third iteration of the HSE Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE III) initiative, is designed to address unmet needs and help people with disabilities participate fully in work, education, leisure, and community life.
The funded projects cover a wide range of assistive technology initiatives. These include expanding Ireland’s Community Hub for Assistive Technology (CHAT) to foster collaboration among people with disabilities, service providers, policymakers, and industry leaders, and developing national standards and resources for accessible information to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities. Other projects focus on peer-led digital support, enhancing employability for disabled and autistic jobseekers through assistive technology, and providing technology-enabled programs for older adults with intellectual disabilities.
Several projects target specialised needs, such as establishing digital supports for persons with disabilities, creating a national framework for equitable access to advanced prosthetics like Microprocessor Knees (MPKs), and launching early assistive technology clinics for infants and young children with complex needs in Mayo. Another initiative expands the National Assistive Technology Library for people who are deafblind, providing devices, training, and digital resources to enhance independence and social inclusion.
Minister Foley highlighted that these initiatives demonstrate how digital and assistive technologies can support people with disabilities across mobility, communication, hearing, vision, and accessibility, strengthening participation and inclusion in daily life. She noted the projects’ potential to improve personal outcomes and community engagement, reflecting the government’s commitment to empowering people with disabilities through innovation and technology.
The CREATE III funding process involved a rigorous evaluation overseen by a panel from the HSE National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (NCPPD), the WHO Regional Office for Europe, and the National Disability Authority (NDA). Projects were selected based on criteria including the demonstration of good assistive technology service delivery practices, the creation of accessible digital education and resource hubs, and the focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and improved health and social outcomes.
Together, the nine projects form part of the CREATE Collective, aiming to drive systemic change by embedding assistive technology as a core component of services for people with disabilities, ensuring long-term impact, independence, and equitable access across Ireland.
