Useful Links

Assistive Technology Service: Useful Links

Listed below are links to the web sites of disability related organisations in Ireland and the UK, plus a few from Europe. The notes about each site are generally taken from the pages of the sites themselves.

 The list does not claim to be exhaustive, so if you come across any web sites that you consider useful, please contact Denise Keaveney.

AbilityNet  Offers a range of services on the use of information technology.

Access West  Aims to provide access to information that is up-to-date, accurate, relevant and above all empowering.

AHEAD  The web site of the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability. Promotes full access to and participation in third level education.

Aware  A voluntary organisation aiming to assist those who are directly affected by depression.

BILD  British Institute of Learning Difficulties aims to influence policy makers, encourage good practice, and help people with learning difficulties take charge of their own lives.

Brainwave – The Irish Epilepsy Association  The Association is concerned to improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy in Ireland.

British Computer Association of the Blind  Organisation of visually impaired people who use information and communication technology.

British Deaf Association  UK’s largest national organisation run by deaf people for deaf people.

British Dyslexia Association  Aims for a dyslexia friendly society that will enable all dyslexic people to reach their potential.

Career Resources for Americans with Disabilities 

Centre for Accessible Environments  Concerned with how the built environment can best be made or modified to achieve inclusion by design.

Centre for Independent Living  Aims to empower and enable people with disabilities to achieve independent living, choice and control over their lives.

Disability Action  Works to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens.

Disability Federation of Ireland  National support organisation for voluntary organisations in Ireland who provide services to people with disabilities.

Disability.ie  Site for disability related information in Ireland.

Disability Now  Online news magazine.

Disability World  Bimonthly magazine of international disability news and views.

Disabled Living Foundation  UK charity providing advice and information on equipment and assistive technology for independent living.

Dyslexia Action  Educational charity for the assessment and teaching of people with dyslexia, and for the training of teachers.

Dyslexia Association of Ireland  Aims to promote awareness of specific learning difficulties, and to help dyslexic people to realise their potential.

Dyslexic.com  Reviews and sells a range of products, and has a range of articles on dyslexia.

e-access bulletin  Free monthly email newsletter on IT issues for people with visual impairment and blindness.

Enable Ireland The social model of disability is central to the organisation's provision of services, and considers access, inclusion and equality as entitlements for people with physical disabilities.

Equality and Human Rights Commission  Promotes equality and human rights in Britain, providing advice and guidance. Also aims to raise awareness.

European Disability Forum European umbrella organisation aims to ensure full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in the EU.

Fighting Blindness  Committed to finding treatments and cures for all forms of blindness and related sensory loss through the funding and promotion of Irish research..

Galway Centre for Independent Living  Seeks to empower those with physical, sensory and emotional disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Hearing LINK UK charity aiming to improve the quality of life of those who are hard of hearing. Provides information and advice, provides communication access, and raises awareness.

Independent Living Institute  Offers resources for people with extensive disabilities and develops consumer-driven policies for self-determination, self-respect and dignity.

Institute for Design and Disability Provides information on how to remove barriers that exclude people with disabilities from taking an active part in everyday life.

Irish Deaf Society  National organisation of deaf and hard of hearing people.

Irish Wheelchair Association  National organisation of people with limited mobility.

JISC TechDis Accessibility in learning resources designed to enable staff to create effective, engaging and accessible learning materials for their learners.

Mental Health Foundation  Largest UK website on mental health. Foundation aims to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems.

Mental Health Ireland National voluntary organisation that aims to promote positive mental health and to actively support persons with a mental illness, their families and carers by identifying their needs and advocating their rights.

Microsoft Accessibility  Presents the accessibility options in Microsoft products.

Mind Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales.

MS Ireland The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland Provides a range of support services to persons with neuromuscular conditions and their families.

National Association for Deaf People  Campaigns for full equality in all aspects of life for deaf and hearing impaired people.

National Council for the Blind of Ireland  The major organisation in Ireland for the visually impaired.

National Disability Authority  Independent statutory agency that aims to promote and help secure the rights of people with disabilities.

National Disability Team  UK site providing a range of information and resources for anyone with an interest in supporting disabled students in higher education.

Rehab  Independent organisation that provides training, employment, social care and commercial services in Ireland and the UK.

Royal National Institute of the Blind  The UK’s leading charity offering information, support and advice to people with sight problems.

Royal National Institute for Deaf People  UK charity aiming to achieve a better quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Scope  Focuses on people with cerebral palsy.

Sense  Organisation offering advice and services to the deafblind.

Skill  National bureau for students with disabilities. UK charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment.

 Visually Impaired Computer Society of Ireland  Concerned with general computer access.