In this episode, host Noreen Turley meets with Brenda O'Donnell and Lauren Watters from Active Disability Ireland to discuss their work underway in promoting active lifestyles for people with disabilities. They tell us about the Active Healthy Me programme, which aims to empower people with disabilities to take control of their own health & wellbeing through an online education programme. We also hear about the Sport Inclusion Disability Charter, outlining five key areas people with disabilities are asking all organisations to consider in making active and healthy lifestyles possible for them. We hear about the importance of inclusive policies and a person-first approach, and highlight the challenges faced in youth sports participation and the need for consultation. Brenda outlines future goals, including expanding into education and the collaboration with services across Ireland to update national physical activity guidelines. The episode concludes with a testimonial from Antoinette, emphasising the positive impact of staying active.

Activity Disability Ireland host the Active Disability Services Awards which aim to champion the innovative physical activity, health promotion and community inclusion initiatives that have arisen as a result of the service engaging with Active Healthy Me programme. For those interested in the Active Disability Services Awards, the deadline is approaching, and more information can be found on the Active Disability Ireland website https://activedisability.ie/

For further information visit https://www2.hse.ie/services/disability/

Produced by GKMedia.ie