The National Advocacy Conference is an annual event that draws hundreds of delegates from across National Learning Network and RehabCare services across Ireland.
National Advocacy Conference 2025
National Advocacy Conference: A Powerful Day of Action and Inspiration
On March 26th 2025 more than 200 NLN students, and people who use the services of RehabCare and staff came together for our 11th National Advocacy Conference. It was an inspiring day filled with reflection, discussion, and action as we celebrated more than 75 years of advocacy.
The event reinforced Rehab’s leadership in championing disability rights and ensuring they remain a priority on the national agenda.
The conference featured passionate discussions and moving personal testimonies about living with a disability. Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley TD, engaged with participants before officially opening the event.
She emphasised the need for a whole-of-government approach to improving services for people with disabilities and encouraged advocates to continue their vital work in shaping a more inclusive society.
Highlights from the Conference
Advocacy in Action: The National Advocacy Committee shared their achievements over the past year, including their successful Voter Education Programme, which won a prestigious AONTAS Star Award. They also reflected on their Study Visit to the European Parliament, where they highlighted the challenges of securing and maintaining employment for people with disabilities.
- Remembering an advocate: A heartfelt tribute was paid to Gerry Spillane from RehabCare Parnell Place, Limerick, who passed away last year.
- Q&A with Leadership: Head of Communications Edel O’Connell moderated an engaging session where the Senior Leadership Team addressed key issues raised by service users, including housing, respite places, employment support, new NLN courses, and sustainability. The leadership team has committed to developing actions on each of these areas.
- New National Advocacy Committee Members: Election results were announced for seven vacancies on the Committee, and outgoing members were acknowledged for their contributions. The new members are
- Sean O’Sullivan – NLN Tralee, Clash Industrial Estate, Tralee, Co. Kerry
- Paul Prendergast – NLN Portlaoise, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Laois
- Edel Weston – NLN Sligo, Kempten Promenade, Bridge St, Sligo
- James Keyes – NLN Letterkenny, Rossview Business Park, Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal
- Bernie McDermott – RehabCare Cherryblossom Centre, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
- Molly Rook – Nenagh Resource Centre, North Tipperary
- Conor Brandon Byrne – Phoenix Resource Centre, Wicklow
- Panel Discussion on Accessible Transport:
- Head of Advocacy and Campaigns, Emer Costello, moderated a lively discussion on transport and advocating for accessibility.
- Joan Carthy (Irish Wheelchair Association) called for increased funding, more adapted taxis, improved local link services, and the reinstatement of the transport mobility grant and the introduction of the long-promised Transport Support Scheme to replace the motorised transport grant abolished in 2013.
- James Casserly (Disability Activist & Blogger) shared his travel experiences and emphasised that everyone should have the right to travel freely.
- Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP) spoke about her personal experiences with disability and her work in the European Parliament on the Passenger Rights Directive.
As the conference concluded, we reaffirmed Rehab’s commitment to being a strong campaigning organisation. Advocacy remains at the heart of what we do, and we look forward to working alongside the newly elected National Advocacy Committee members to ensure their voices are heard.
A special thank you to everyone who participated and helped organise this incredible event—it remains a highlight of the year for many of us.
A recording of the conference will be shared in the coming days.
